Nestorian Evangelion
16th-century illuminated Gospel book of the Church of the East

The Nestorian Evangelion (French: Évangéliaire nestorien, also known as Vie de Jésus-Christ ['Life of Jesus Christ']; Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, MS syr. 344) is a 16th-century Church of the East Gospel Book which contains 18 illustrations depicting the life of Jesus Christ, with captions in Syriac (larger in size) and Armenian. The manuscript was donated by the Chaldean Catholic archbishop Addaï Scher to the Bibliothèque nationale de France in 1909.
Introduction
The manuscript consists of 10 folios measuring 31.2 centimetres (12.3 in) by 19.8 centimetres (7.8 in), f1r and f10v (f9v) are blank. According to Jules Leroy, this manuscript would be an illustrated section of a Syriac Gospel Book the MS Syriac No. 15 kept by the Chaldean Patriarchate of Mosul. The 18 illustrations would have been originally attached to the end of that Gospel Book of Mosul. If the belonging to the Gospel of Mosul is proven, this manuscript could date back to the year 1497 AD (1806 AG) and have been copied in the village of 'WRG, in the diocese of Siirt at the time of the patriarch Mar Simeon (Shemon IV or Shemon V), and of Mar Yuḥanon, the bishop of Athel, by someone named Abraham who is the son of Dodo.
The public source identifies “Nestorian Evangelion” as 16th-century illuminated Gospel book of the Church of the East. This brief keeps that definition visible, then builds a research path around Nestorian, Evangelion and 16th-century.
Why this record matters
A short description can identify a subject without explaining its stakes. For “Nestorian Evangelion”, the useful work is to connect “16th-century illuminated Gospel book of the Church of the East” to the records capable of establishing context and consequence.
Place names and jurisdictional language are key evidence: both can reveal earlier catalogue descriptions and overlooked record series. The source revision retrieved here is dated Nov 19, 2025. The linked authority identifier is Q55762353. The first chronological checks are 1909, 1497 and 1806.
Modern boundaries and familiar names can conceal earlier jurisdictions or structures that do not align with the present site. The lead is largely declarative, so disagreement and counter-evidence require a deliberate search beyond the opening account. Authority statements aid reconciliation but still require their own references, qualifiers and ranks to be checked.
How to read it
Treat names, boundaries and functions as historically changeable. Maps, plans, inventories and administrative records can clarify what the place meant at different dates.
- Historic place names
- Jurisdictional context
- Routes into maps and plans
Contemporary maps, plans, listed-building records, estate papers and the responsible local or national archive.
Three-step research path
- Establish the record: confirm the title “Nestorian Evangelion”, its source revision and the description used here.
- Expand the search: follow Nestorian Evangelion primary sources, Nestorian Evangelion archive and Nestorian research across catalogues and specialist indexes.
- Test the account: compare the strongest cited source with the responsible institution’s current record and note any disagreement.
Questions for further research
- Which source most directly establishes the central claim about “Nestorian Evangelion”?
- Which authority defined the place, boundary or structure at the relevant date?
- Which earlier names or jurisdictions may reveal additional records?
Search terms from this dossier
This entry incorporates text from “Nestorian Evangelion” on English Wikipedia. Contributors are listed in the page history. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Selected authority identifiers and statements are retrieved from Wikidata under CC0; their references and qualifiers remain part of the verification path.