Source: Ancient-Origine
World’s first illustrated Christian bible discovered at Ethiopian monastery
The world’s earliest illustrated Christian book has been saved by a British charity which located it at a remote Ethiopian monastery.
The incredible Garima Gospels are named after a monk who arrived in the African country in the fifth century and is said to have copied them out in just one day.
Beautifully illustrated, the colours are still vivid and thanks to the Ethiopian Heritage Fund have been conserved.
Abba Garima arrived from Constantinople in 494 AD and legend has it that he was able to copy the gospels in a day because God delayed the sun from setting.
The incredible relic has been kept ever since in the Garima Monastery near Adwa in the north of the country, which is in the Tigray region at 7,000 feet.
Experts believe it is also the earliest example of book binding still attached to the original pages.
The survival of the Gospels is incredible considering the country has been under Muslim invasion, Italian invasion and a fire in the 1930s destroyed the monastery’s church.
They were written on goat skin in the early Ethiopian language of Ge’ez.
There are two volumes which date from the same time, but the second is written in a different hand from the first. Both contain illustrations and the four Gospels.
Though the texts had been mentioned by the occasional traveller since the 1950s, it had been thought they dated from the 11th century at the earliest.
Carbon dating, however, gives a date between 330 and 650 – which tantalisingly overlaps the date Abba Garima arrived in the country.
So the first volume could be in his hand – even if he didn’t complete the task in a day as the oral tradition states.
The charity Ethiopian Heritage Fund that was set up to help preserve the treasures in the country has made the stunning discovery.
It was also allowed incredibly rare access to the texts so experts could conserve them on site.
The incredible relic has been kept ever since in the Garima Monastery near Adwa in the north of Ethiopia
It is now hoped the Gospels will be put in a museum at the monastery where visitors will be able to view them.
Blair Priday from the Ethiopian Heritage Fund said: ‘Ethiopia has been overlooked as a source of these fantastic things.
‘Many of these old Christian relics can only be reached by hiking and climbing to remote monasteries as roads are limited in these mountainous regions.
‘All the work on the texts was done in situ and everything is reversible, so if in future they can be taken away for further conservation we won’t have hindered that.
‘The pages had been crudely stitched together in a restoration in the 1960s and some of the pages wouldn’t even turn. And they were falling to pieces.
‘The Garima Gospels have been kept high and dry which has helped preserve them all these years and they are kept in the dark so the colours look fresh.
‘This was the most astounding of all our projects and the Patriarch, the head of the Ethiopian Church, had to give his permission.
‘Most of the experts did the work for nothing.
‘We are currently undertaking other restoration programmes on wall paintings and religious texts.
‘We believe that preserving Ethiopia’s cultural heritage will help to increase visitor revenue and understanding of the extraordinary history of this country.
Related Article
Garima Gospels – Wikipedia
41 Comments
YES THIS IS FACT WHICH DO NOT BE HIDDEN THERE ARE SEVERAL HISTORICAL HERITAGES AND CULTURES IN ETHIOPIA SPECIALLY IN MONASTRIES YET,THE WORLD IS NOW OVERLOOKING ETHIOPIA’S RELIGION,CULTURE AND BELEIFS SO FORTH…YOU CAN FIND SEVERAL ANCIENT BOOKS WRITTEN IN GE’EEZ LANGUAGE SPECIALLY ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN SPRITUAL BOOKS! I WOULD LIKE TO RECOMMEND THE WORLD TO GIVE HIGHER EMPHASIS FOR ETHIOPIA …..FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT AND DISCOVER THIS LAND OF God!
Is the Ethiopian bible apart of the canon?
I know that Ethiopia had the strongest Christianity in the old ages with lots of evidences like this one. But to be honest, the current Christianity is way too weak! compared to the old time. People do not LOVE each other as Christians do. Pleas pray for Ethiopia to recover all the strength that used to be there.
I wonder how this will affect the protestant doctrines of Sola Scriptura?
… ‘All the work on the texts was done in situ and everything is reversible, so if in future they can be taken away for further conservation we won’t have hindered that.
… ‘This was the most astounding of all our projects and the Patriarch, the head of the Ethiopian Church, had to give his permission.
Sorry to say it, but I have a feeling that it is in such a way that Ethiopia lost many of its treasures. I haven’t heard any heritage or discovery that’s returned once it left its origin (Ethiopia) under the name of ‘FURTHER STUDY’. I even wonder how and why the Patriarch gave his permission knowing the past experience of the Ethiopian Orthodox church history – its challenges from external pressures that seemed nothing at the moment but put generations in chaos through time.
John – All eyes are on Ethiopia, not now, centuries before. Believe it or not, the so called ‘developed nations’ are relying on the numerous books stolen from Ethiopia and hidden from the world. You don’t even find some facts about them on internet or you get the fictitious made up history by the ones who own it today. Unlike what’s been said about Ethiopia, in simple words – ETHIOPIA IS THE WORLD AND THE WORLD IS IN ETHIOPIA.
Minilik – The love is still there but the people need to open their eyes and see what’s going on under their nose. The current affairs are the centuries works of the groups who never lay off their eyes from Ethiopia for their SURVIVAL. They are not few individuals but many nations. A lot can be said, but …
Do they have all the Ethopic Bible with all their book’s in it written in English, so i can read it on line, will you please let me know
Yes, I’m looking for it as well. Might it be available in London?
Hello, if you do find a title or copy of this book, would you please share the information with me. I’m on a difficult discovery of truth so that I may be tested by God and not man. I don’t want to read anything about archbishops or orthodox or churches, but the Spirit of God as He spoke to His people. Thank you.
I need the Bible of Ethiopia. Where can I purchase it? The 4 missing gospels are contained in it.
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=ethiopian+bible
I bought the English translation of all 88 books from amazon
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CYMYLG4S/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I would love to get a Ethiopian Bible
I know it is a dead language but is there a chance to have a non adulterated translated version of it, me and a good friend of mine think that the older we sink into this type of artifacts the closer we get to God in a sense of speaking of course.
Mr. Ramos, the first concern is to create a digital copy of the entire book and store it so as to assure its preservation since the very pages are already disintegrating. Ge’ez is not offered in current language classes so the language also needs to be recorded and preserved. In order to translate the material into any other language requires that the writer must know both the language you want to read the material in and know Ge’ez. Funding issues will cause great delays in this process. I would likely need to go to Ethiopia to find a means of learning Ge’ez and I would need to raise a significant amount of funds to accomplish that. The Ethiopian authorities would also need to be willing to grant the translator access to the original document and allow it to be duplicated. I hope all of these steps can be taken soon.
interesting!
VERY NICE
This is not a dead language. This is very much a living language.
Are there any photos of the binding as opposed to the text? Is the bible in just two volumes or are the two volumes just the Gospels?
Why does this article speak as if the Garima Gospels are a complete Ethiopic Bible? Can you be specific and honest about the contents of these texts please? Regardless of whether there is a canon of 66, 81, or 88 books, the Gospels are just four of those books.
Also, why are you talking as if the choice of 66 books comes from the KJV, that decision, whether right or wrong, is much older than the KJV. In addition most of the additional books are often included in versions of the KJV and many other more modern translations as part of the Apocrypha. The Garima Gospels are very important, but it is also important to report accurately. There is important learning to be done from this and other biblical documents from Ethiopia – misinformation does not help that process.
Why won’t you list the books???
• 1 Enoch: This ancient Jewish text, attributed to the biblical figure Enoch, is considered canonical by the Ethiopian Church. It contains apocalyptic visions and teachings.
• Jubilees: Also known as the Book of Jubilees, this work provides a retelling of biblical history from creation to the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. It is considered canonical by the Ethiopian Church.
• The Book of Enoch: This book, distinct from 1 Enoch, is also part of the Ethiopian canon. It contains apocalyptic literature and visions attributed to Enoch.
• The Rest of Esther: The Ethiopian canon includes additional content in the Book of Esther, which is not found in other versions of the Bible.
• The Rest of Daniel: Similar to Esther, the Ethiopian version of the Book of Daniel includes additional material not present in other canons.
• The Prayer of Azariah and the Song of the Three Holy Children: These texts are included as an appendix to the Book of Daniel.
• The Ascension of Isaiah: This work describes the prophet Isaiah’s ascent through the heavens and is considered canonical by the Ethiopian Church.
•
o The Apocalypse of Ezra: Also known as 2 Esdras, this book contains apocalyptic visions attributed to the prophet Ezra.
o The Book of Joseph ben Gurion: This book provides an account of Jewish history from Adam to the time of Alexander the Great.
o The Clementine Literature: The Ethiopian canon includes several works attributed to Clement of Rome, including the Clementine Recognitions and Clementine Homilies.
These are the books I discovered that were not added to the Bible we know in the West, but were in the Ethiopian Bible. Please confirm if they are correct?
Enoch, Jubilees,Maccabees 1,2,3, Esdras1,2, Tobit, Baruch, Letter of Jeremiah, Additions to Esther, Prayer of Azariah, Susanna and the Elders, Bel and the dragon, Prayer of Manasseh, Wisdom of Solomon, Wisdom of Sirach, Jossipon, Book os Megabyan 1,2,3, Ascension of Isaiah, and The Odes of Solomon.
See more information here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garima_Gospels
Please let me know if you ever found out if there is an english version? I have to read this bible! I have been studying The Book of Enoch lately and trust me, “they” are hiding things we should be knowing/reading/seeing.
The world is ruled by satanist. I mean real living, breathing worshipers of Lucifer. Trust me I dove deep into it and there is no longer even a speck of doubt in my mind. There is a battle going on between GOoD and evil here in the year 2023. It can seem there’s no way out yet the war has already been won! Please repent, be born again, follow Jesus and inherit eternal life! It’s our choice. Take a look around. Could it hurt to take a leap of faith? Praying we meet of the streets of gold where we will bask in His Glory forever and ever! Amen — Is it just me, or is it not the best time in history to find the Truth!?
I AM A TRUE BELIEVER AND JESUS CHRIST IS THE SON OF GOD. THE OLDEST BIBLE ON EARTH BY WHICH IS PRESERVED IN ETHIOPIA WAS WRITTEN IN THEYEAR AD, IT IS STUNNING TO FIND SUCH A RELIC WAS FOUND IN A MONASTERY FOUNDED BY A MAN WHO CAME FROM CONSTANTINOPOLE BY THE NAME ABBA GARIMA IN 494 AD. I’D LOVE TO VISIT ETHIOPIA AND WITNESS AT THE PRESENT OF THE PRESERVED BIBLE.
Hello Scott, would you be willing to share any information with me that you receive. I am on a journey of truth for my soul that is only judged by God and not a church. Thank you.
Hi Scott may you kindly update me on your findings on the English version
Thank you
It is in English. I am looking for a certain version. ISBN # 9798325460401
A friend of mine got this one in Ghana
Hmmm…SAVED by the British….you mean STOLEN.
…the cradle of civilization…the ROOTS of Christianity.
There are so many treasures stolen from Africa from the beginning of time until now. Since the cradle of civilization originated in Africa, it does not surprise me that there is evidence that faith and belief in God did also. What does surprise me is that anything was found at all, knowing the greed and heart of man sometimes, but praise be to God that something was found! I would love to read the Ethiopian Bible with the 88 books. There are so many to choose from now and I want one that is as true as possible so that I may study to show myself approved. Praise be to God for revealing an undiscovered treasure from Heaven to Earth, His Word. It is my prayer that nothing from this discovery or the region of Africa regarding God will not be altered or misrepresented to provide profit to spiritless people! If you have any information, please feel free to contact me. Peace to you all!
Is the English version of this bible in any way altered by the Scofield versions so prevalent in bibles today? I’m specifically looking for a version that hasn’t been b*st*rdized by Scofield. Thank you.
Hi I want to know, how do I get a copy of the Ethiopian orthodox Bible.
It is very good to have these kind of the bible of 88 books but problem is how do I get this kind of the bible I am happy to know about this bible I am interested in it be blessed
How were they copied to English text? How can I be sure that they are authentic after their coping?
You can find the Ethiopian bible with all 88 books in English in Amazon
Good day we were in a informal study what the bible teaches us, after a short prayer, the seeer in our very small group fell to the ground and spoken words from our Father through Jesus, who are the Spirit, about we are made in the image of our Father and spoke what the woman must wear, and the Ethiopian bible is the word of our Father, the ancient one, with brown edges, some one were appointed to study the Bible and teach the people, someone were appointed to receive the understanding of the language, we are busy seaking after this Bible, and were directed whom to contect.
Let’s try to know the truth and the truth will surely set us free. I love this Bible.
very nice
I find the discussion about the Ethopian Bible very interesting.
Firstly, the ‘reverence’ people give to it makes it sound very similar to idolatry.
Secondly, this search for a ‘deeper truth’ brings issues. If traditional Bibles are not good enough for salvation, then God has seriously stuffed up. This is why most Christians trust that God has kept His Word safe and available throughout the ages, and have no issue with traditional Bibles.
Conversely, if traditional Bibles are good enough for salvation, then it would have to be accepted that the Ethiopian Bible is relegated to the realm of ‘further reading’… but from reading other comments, that doesn’t seem to be the case.
Thirdly, if people are looking for a ‘deeper truth’ beyond the traditional Bible, I wonder how they interpet Revelation 2:24-25 (which is considered canon in all the Bibles)? Because the command there is to hold on to what you have until Christ returns, so what’s the need for the Ethiopian Bible?
Don’t get me wrong, I’ve read most of the apocrypha, but I don’t consider it necessary for salvation. It’s part of my ‘further reading’, mainly for discussions like this. I don’t build my theology on it, and I don’t encourage people to read it if they are still developing their faith because I wouldn’t want them to get confused. But I wouldn’t tell people not to read it either, just keep it in the realm of ‘further reading’ as you would with any other Christian book.
need a copy of ethopian bible