Minsk saw First Epistle of Peter for the first time

Facsimile edition of one of the most ancient New Testament books, which dates back to the 3rd century A.D., has arrived to Belarus from the Vatican Apostolic Library in Rome. The masterpiece of Christian writing came as a return gift, as the day before the Belarusian National Library Director forwarded to his Italian colleagues a multi-volume book legacy of Francysk Skaryna. The exhibit dubbed The Book of the Books celebrates the 500th anniversary of the first printer.

A few papyrus sheets serve as an ancient canvas for the Holy Scripture. But this very piece is not only a Christian cultural monument, but also a top class rarity. This facsimile reproduction is an exact copy of the source that is kept in the Vatican Apostolic Library. The letter by one of the most honoured Christ’s companions is made as a two-page code – the very tradition that came up in that period. However, this is a more recent version written or recorded in Greek. The original homily dates to the 1st century of Peter's days.

The Bible forms the heart of the exhibit. The Book of the Books has become a central piece in the area of Belarus equally as it gave a start to book printing in Europe. The exhibit therefore features a snapshot of the Bible presence in Belarus in the shape of original or facsimile reproductions dating back to as early as Tur’s Testament. Facsimile copies prove able to translate each and every detail, including age associated defects.

The exhibit displays the best examples of handwritten and book printing art, such as The Kingdoms or The Divine Wisdom by Skaryna where bindings and prints are a testament to the aesthetical value. It also features the Bible in German and even the Holy Scripture in Arabic script – antiquity complemented by beauty.

On the Orthodox Book Day the National Library turned into an exhibit hall demonstrating contemporary spiritual legacy. The event also offered calligraphy practice to try one’s hand in Cyrillic letters.

The National Library Director handed over the symbolic first volume of the facsimile edition of Skaryna’s printed legacy to the metropolitan. As of today 20 volumes are finished and issued, while the 21st is about to come out by the end of the year.

Source: www.tvr.by