International congress of byzantine studies belgrade, 22 27 august 2016

MANUSCRIPTS 
Chairs: 
Elissaveta Moussakova, Andi Rëmbeci
Kalliopi Mavrommati, 
A Glance at the Byzantine Society through Donation: The Case of Manuscripts (9
th 
-15
th 
C.)
Nina Voutova
, 
Symbols in Watermarks – Possible Interpretations
Ksenya
S. Morugina
, 
Палеографическое исследование греческих рукописей из коллекции А. И. Хлудова
Andi Rëmbeci
, 
Italo-Greek Manuscripts from the Byzantine Collection of the Manuscripts in Albania
Sokol Çunga
, 
The 
Berat Codices Nos. 14 and 31
, and a Palimpsest of St. John the Chrysostom 
at the Central State Archive, Tirana, Albania
Sergio Basso
, 
Reading the 
Ms. Urb. Gr. 130
Rev. Vladimir Vukašinović,
 
Manuscript Euchologia in the Hilandar Monastery Library as Sources for the Reconstruction 
of the Evolution of Serbian Liturgical Practice in the Period from the 13
th
to the 19
th
Century

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118
Kalliopi Mavrommati
Athens, Greece; 
[e-mail]
A Glance at the Byzantine Society through Donation: 
The Case of Manuscripts (9
th
-15
th
C.)
The copying of manuscripts has been vital in preserving intellectual heritage into the modern 
era. This practice was stimulated by commissioning from people with the aspiration and the interest 
in acquiring a book sometimes with the intention to donate it. As known, before the invention of 
printing, transcribing codices was a laborious task, involving the use of rare and exquisite materials. 
Thus, the commissioning and therefore the donation of manuscripts carried a significant cost.
When all work was accomplished, the scribes added short Notes or Colophons referring to 
those involved in the deed. In other instances, the Note of donation is included later, as most books 
were intended for private use. These writings bear evidence of generous contributions to the sacred 
institutions of the Church. The donors sought for a reward in heavens through enhancing the 
spiritual and material power of the Church. 
Numerous offerings were made by Church officials as well as minor clerics. Fewer instances 
concern laics, such as the emperor and people of the Byzantine élite (high ranking officials, literati, 
etc.), along with ordinary civilians stating only their name and bearing no titles. In conclusion, 
the donation of manuscripts characterized an important scholarly and particularly a non-scholarly 
world driven by varied motives. Based on the surviving Notes and Colophons, the aim is to present 
the different types of donors as well as their intentions, in an attempt to illustrate the role of book 
donations in the development of the Byzantine cultural identity.