The Guardian reported yesterday that a major conservation project has been recently completed. The Gerima Gospels are perhaps one of the earliest surviving illuminated Gospel manuscripts thought to have been completed sometime before AD 650. Combined with the remaining fragments of the Cotton Genesis dated to sometime between the fifth and sixth centuries, the fifth century Goleniscev papyrus (interesting for its depiction of the Theotokos) the Gerima Gospels suggests that there was a vibrant culture of illuminated manuscrpt production in the late antique period.

There’s a great exhibit now on at the Petit Palais in Paris on the history and art of Mt. Athos. The collection includes documents detailing the development of the Holy Mountain as an autonomous region of Greece, icons, liturgical items, and jewlery. Sadly the website (here) does not offer much in terms of information and images about the exhibit.

It is also worth mentioning that the permanent collection of the Petit Palais includes a substantive collection of icons from various regions – and is well worth a look.

While you’re there – have lunch at the cafe – unlike museum cafe’s here in the UK the food is rather good, and the view onto the garden is lovely.

The British Library’s newest exhibit “Sacred” opened this week. The catalog which you can buy on line, is very well put together. The exhibit presents the finest examples of the the sacred texts of the three monotheistic religions – Christianity, Judaism, and Islam; showing not only the skill and beauty of each tradition, but also how each one influences the others.

Karen Armstrong is one of the guest speakers for the series of lectures organised for the next two months. We’ve already booked our tickets and are eager to hear her in person (having read nearly all of her books).

As part of the opening festivities the piazza at the Library was turned over for various events representing the three religious traditions. We were disappointed that the Christian community was very under-represented, and that what was on offer was of pale quality by comparison with the Jewish and Muslim offerings.