Tuesday, March 27, 2012

LOTS Students Looking Old Manuscripts in Carolina Rediviva Library

Together with the class from Greek Exegesis we were in the library of Uppsala University-Carolina Rediviva. There we learned about fascinating, ancient manuscripts on Koine Greek.

Dr.Anders Gerdmar, Dean of Theology in Livets Ord Theological Seminary, and Associate Professor in the Uppsala University, instructs us how to use all resources of the library, in which about 9 million books, to contribute to our own assignments and other papers.
Have you ever saw the real researcher? Here, if you take a carefull look, you will see one among the heap of books, who is busy with his research. :D
Books in Greek, 12th-13th century. Mostly, the Gospels and the Bibles. Its pages made of parchment (a stiff, thin, flat material made from the prepared skin of an animal, usually a sheep or goat, and used as a durable writing surface in ancient and medieval times).

This is a collection of sermons for the liturgy for a year. 13th century.

First time in my life I saw and touched the ancient books with parchment pages. Scribes, who wrote those kinds of books, usually, at the end they wrote: "Thanks be to God that this work is accomplished!" :) We can imagine those poor men seating there with the candle as only source of light and doing their art work, writing with their own hand those thick books, often for years.
This is a Will of a man, who lived in 1 sentury A.D. in Egypt. The Will is written in the scroll of Papyrus, on ancient Greek language.
This is illustration from the Gospel of Luke, 12th century. Background is made of gold. It is stunning!
In the end we shared experiences and discussed our assignments at the cup of coffee. God is Good!



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