Posts in category: Η Ιστορια ενός Χειρογραφου 1 – Καρακάλλου

Although the scribe is the same, the difference in the handwriting between the note and the manuscript body text is enormous. This is because the note naturally and freely follows the handwriting of Isaak, but the body of the text in the book is in calligraphy, implementing morphological and aesthetic norms. One may easily make out the incisions that define the margins, the lines and the spaces between (i.e. the page layout), which were made during the preparation of the parchment sheet.

Among the many manuscripts produced by the scriptorium at the Karakallos Monastery, a particularly well-made book of the Gospel is preserved: cod. 17 (20 in the number of Sp. Lambrou). It was written by the calligrapher monk Isaak in 1289-90. He assumed both the labour and the expenses in order to offer the book to the Monastery. On the last page, in a distinct note, is his dedication:
The present Holy Gospel has been copied by me, the sinner Isaak, with the expenses and the labor and the love, yet unwilling to possess it.
Yet it is attached and dedicated to the sanctified monastery of the holy and great Apostles, of Karakallos ...

The library of the Karakallos Monastery contains 331 manuscript codices (bound books) dating from the 9th to the 18th centuries, and 400 others from the 19th century onwards. The books were skilfully created by calligraphers, usually on parchment foils (i.e. treated animal skin, usually sheepskin). They were always considered to be rare and precious objects because of the cost of the materials, the effort and the skill required of the calligrapher, and also because there were not many scriptoria (i.e. the rooms set aside for the writing of manuscripts) in which to produce them. In the Karakallos Monastery, however, there was such a scriptorium.