A 17th century Armenian manuscript, a Gospel Book, has been in Pretoria in what is now the National
Cultural History Museum since 1897 and has never been displayed or studied. It is a particularly
luxuriously illustrated manuscript that was bought by Pres. Kruger and his executive committee
from an Armenian fugitive. Its presence in South Africa is surprising since there has never been
more than 200 Armenians in the country. The history of the manuscript is explained and the manuscript
is examined in detail in the context of similar Armenian Gospel Books elsewhere in the world.
PRETORIA SE GOUE EVANGELIARIUM: 'n STUDIE VAN 'n LUUKSE ARMEENSE MANUSKRIP.
'n Sewentiende eeuse Armeense manuskrip, 'n Evangeliarium, is sedert 1897 in Pretoria in wat
nou die Nasionale Kultuurhistoriese Museum is, en is nooit vertoon of bestudeer nie. Dit is 'n
besonder luuks geillustreerde manuskrip wat deur President Kruger en sy uitvoerende komitee van 'n
Armeense vlugteling gekoop is. Die teenwoordigheid daarvan in Suid-Afrika is verbasend aangesien
daar nog nooit meer as 200 Armeniers in Suid-Afrika was nie. Die geskiedenis van die manuskrip
word verduidelik en die manuskrip word in besonderhede ondersoek in die verband van soortgelyke
Armeense Evangeliaria elders in die wereld.
