Digitized Manuscripts: Faceted Search

About This Table

This table searches all collections of Syriac and Garshuni manuscripts that are freely available online by key terms. Click any of the categorized menu items to narrow down your search. If you would like to sort the manuscripts by shelf-mark or date, or search by general keyword, see our other table here, which includes all the same manuscript data.

*The Approximate Date column is derived from the best available information for the manuscript. This is not asserted as a scholarly position on the dating of the manuscript. Instead, it is merely used here for the convenience of being able to sort all manuscripts by numerical date. The user should keep in mind that there may be considerable debate over the precise dating of the manuscript and should consult the manuscript repository and relevant scholarly literature for details.

Manuscript Name / Shelf Mark / Project Number Approximate Date Language The main body text Link to Digitized Manuscript
Harvard MS Syr 36 1,500 CE Syriac

Catalog Entry

  • 1. Part of the story of Bar Sauma (ff. 1-9, 82-117, the leaves being disordered)
  • 2. 1 Thes. 4:12-18 and John 5:24-9, from a lectionary (f. 11)
  • 3. Part of the History of the Virgin (10, 12-61r; disordered, and with one leaf missing)
  • 4. Memra of Jacob on the passing, that is the obsequies, of the Virgin (61v-69r)
  • 5. Another memra on Mary and Joseph and the envy of the Jews, in the meter of Mar Ephrem (69r-78v)
  • 6. A wonder done by the Virgin Mary (78v-81; breaking off before the end).
  • 7. F. 10v has a geometric design incorporating a prayer

Harvard MS Syr 38 1,448 CE Arabic, Syriac

Catalog Entry

  • 1. Story of Mar Shaliṭa (ff. 83r-111v; beginning in the middle of chapter 4)
  • 2. The triumph, that is a small part of the story of Mar Aksenaya who is Mar Philoxenus (111v-121v)
  • 3. Story of the chosen apostle Mar Thoma who evangelized India (122r-174r)
  • 4. Triumph of Mar Yoḥanan Daylamaya whose monastery is in Persia near the city of Reʼgan (175r-186v)
  • 5. Story of Mar Eulogios of the lion (ʼAryaya) from the company of Mar Awgen (187r-236v)
  • 6. Story of Mar Yoḥanan of Kpane which is above the town of Zaʼz (236v; breaking off after this leaf).

Harvard MS Syr 172 1,300 CE Syriac

​Catalog Entry

  • Hymns on the Matyrs

Another image here.
Harvard Ms Syr 166 1,885 CE Syriac

Catalog entry

  • Pp. 1-15, Story of Moses
  • 15-27, The letter of holy Sunday that descended from heaven
  • 27-49, Story of Mar Giwargis the martyr
  • 49-55, Story of Arsanis king of Egypt, how our Lord resurrected him
  • 55-58 Qanone for festivals and saints' days
  • 58-60, Divination concerning the sick
  • 60-62, Other prayers
  • 62, Colophon