Vatican: A 13th century Syriac manuscript known as the Gospel of Qaraqosh has found a lasting home in the Vatican Apostolic Library, where it is carefully preserved as one of the finest examples of Middle Eastern Christian art and devotion.
The manuscript, listed in the Vatican archives as Vat. Syr. 559, was written around the year 1220 by a monk named Mubarak ibn Dawud al Bartelli from the ancient Monastery of Mar Mattai near Mosul in Iraq. It contains passages from the four Gospels arranged for liturgical use in the Syriac Church and is written in Estrangelo script, one of the oldest forms of the Syriac language.
The Gospel of Qaraqosh is richly decorated with colorful illustrations showing scenes from the life and miracles of Jesus Christ. The images reflect both Byzantine and Islamic artistic influences, blending the spiritual traditions of East and West. Measuring about 44 by 33 centimeters, the manuscript is bound in black leather and marked with a gilded cross on the cover.
The town of Qaraqosh, also known as Baghdeda or Hamdaniya in the Nineveh Plains, has a long Christian heritage. For centuries, the local community took great care to protect the manuscript. It was stolen several times but each time recovered by the people of Qaraqosh. In 1937, the townspeople decided to offer it to their bishop, who presented it to Pope Pius XI. The Pope then entrusted it to the Vatican Library, ensuring its preservation for future generations.
Today, the manuscript stands as a symbol of the deep Christian roots in northern Iraq and of the faith and resilience of its people. Qaraqosh itself has faced many challenges in recent years, including the occupation by ISIS and the struggle to rebuild afterward.
The Vatican Library has digitized the Gospel of Qaraqosh, allowing scholars and faithful around the world to explore its beauty and historical importance. Experts say it is one of the few surviving illustrated Syriac Gospel manuscripts of its era and offers insight into the artistic and spiritual life of Middle Eastern Christians in the medieval period.
For the Christian community of Qaraqosh, this manuscript remains more than an artifact. It represents faith that survived centuries of hardship and a link between their ancestors and the wider Church that continues to safeguard their heritage.