Definition
Lectionary 139 (siglum ℓ 139) is a Greek manuscript of the New Testament that contains liturgical readings (lectionary) from the Gospels. It is catalogued in the Gregory‑Aland system of New Testament manuscript classification.
Overview
Lectionary 139 belongs to the group of Greek evangelistaria, manuscripts that present selected passages (pericopes) for use in the worship services of the Eastern Orthodox and other liturgical traditions. The manuscript is written in Greek minuscule script and is dated palaeographically to the medieval period, most commonly assigned to the 13th century. The codex consists of a series of parchment or paper folios that are arranged according to the ecclesiastical calendar, providing readings for Sundays and feast days. Details concerning the exact number of folios, the completeness of the text, and any decorative elements are not uniformly documented in publicly available catalogues.
Etymology / Origin
The term lectionary derives from the Latin lectionarium, meaning “a book of readings.” The numeral “139” is the sequential identifier given by scholars Caspar René Gregory and Kurt Aland in their comprehensive listing of New Testament manuscripts (the Gregory‑Aland numbering). The manuscript itself was produced by an unknown scribe in a Greek‑speaking monastic or ecclesiastical context, reflecting the liturgical practices of its time.
Characteristics
- Script: Greek minuscule hand, typical of medieval Byzantine manuscripts.
- Material: Either parchment or paper; the precise substrate is not uniformly reported.
- Contents: Selections from the four Gospels arranged for liturgical use (an evangelistarium).
- Dating: Assigned to the 13th century on palaeographic grounds; no colophon provides a definitive date.
- Physical layout: Typically written in two columns per page, with 20–30 lines per column, though exact dimensions are not confirmed.
- Marginalia / annotations: May include lectionary headings, rubricated titles, and occasional liturgical notes; specifics are not fully documented.
- Current location: The repository that holds ℓ 139 is not consistently cited in accessible references; some catalogues suggest a European library collection, but the precise institution is uncertain.
Related Topics
- New Testament lectionaries – collections of Gospel readings used in Christian worship.
- Gregory‑Aland numbering – the standard system for classifying Greek New Testament manuscripts.
- Greek minuscule manuscripts – the script style employed in most medieval Byzantine biblical codices.
- Evangelistarium – a type of lectionary containing only Gospel passages.
- Manuscript paleography – the study of ancient handwriting used to date and locate manuscripts.
Note: Accurate information regarding the exact physical description, provenance, and present housing of Lectionary 139 is not fully confirmed in publicly available scholarly sources.