The State Protocol Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs published a contract in the electronic procurement system the other day, from which we learn that the Gospel printed in Venice in 1685 (a rare and exclusive sample of 17th century printing) was purchased within the framework of the US Vice President’s visit to Armenia.

“The publication consists of 450 two-column pages. It is printed in the ancient Armenian font (grabar) and has an engraved title page. It includes the epistles of the four Evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The design is typical of the high artistic level of Venetian Armenian printing.

The cover is made of dark leather with silver decoration. In the central part there is a silver sculptural composition depicting Jesus Christ against the background of radiant glory.

The four corners have silver sculptural elements with angelic/Christian images that balance the overall composition. The composition is equipped with leather closing valves, which have preserved their structure,” the technical specification of the contract states.

The State Protocol Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs made the purchase from “Mariam Hunanyan” PJSC for 2 million 926,000 drams.

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