---
title: The Alaverdi Gospels
author: James Blake Wiener
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/7768/the-alaverdi-gospels/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# The Alaverdi Gospels

_Authored by [James Blake Wiener](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/jbw288/)_

## Image File

[![The Alaverdi Gospels](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/7768.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/7768.jpg)

## Image Caption

One of the most magnificent [gospels](https://www.worldhistory.org/The_Gospels/) in the Georgian language is undoubtedly the Alaverdi Gospels, which was completed in 1054 CE. It is the only Georgian manuscript to contain a mandylion, an impression of the face of the Savior on a shroud. Made of leather and [metal](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/metal/), the cover is decorated with a painted icon of [Jesus Christ](https://www.worldhistory.org/Jesus_Christ/), which was later inserted into a [silver](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silver/)-chased frame featuring previous stones and cloisonné enamel images of St. George. (Those were created in the 11-12th century CE.) Holy objects were kept in the sockets on the cover. The cover dates from the late Middle Ages. (Georgian National Museum, Tbilisi)

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

James Blake Wiener has a particular interest in cross-cultural exchange and world history. He is a co-founder of World History Encyclopedia and formerly was its Communications Director.
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameswiener)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Wiener, J. B. (2017, December 18). The Alaverdi Gospels. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/7768/the-alaverdi-gospels/>
### Chicago
Wiener, James Blake. "The Alaverdi Gospels." *World History Encyclopedia*, December 18, 2017. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/7768/the-alaverdi-gospels/>.
### MLA
Wiener, James Blake. "The Alaverdi Gospels." *World History Encyclopedia*, 18 Dec 2017, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/7768/the-alaverdi-gospels/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [James Blake Wiener](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/jbw288/ "User Page: James Blake Wiener"), published on 18 December 2017. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.