On the afternoon of Tuesday, November 10, 2015, a reception co-hosted by the Western Prelacy and Getty Museum was held during which guests had the opportunity to view the 13th century Canon Tables of the Zeytun Gospels. As previously reported, in September the Western Prelacy and the Getty reached a settlement under which the Getty acknowledged the Armenian Apostolic Church’s ownership of the manuscript pages.
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, members of the Religious Council, Executive Council, and Prelacy Ladies Auxiiliary were in attendance. Invitees included leaders and representatives of community organizations as well as of the Armenian Bar Association. The ceremony began with a reception at the office of Getty Director Dr. Timothy Potts. In his welcoming remarks Dr. Potts expressed thanks that the Getty is able to preserve the manuscripts and make them available for viewing to a wide audience. The Director affirmed the start of a special collaboration with the community, stating that the Canon Tables will be on display at exhibits of other manuscripts and during Armenian Culture Month (October), and moreover expressed hope for collaboration with the Manuscript Repository in Yerevan where the Zeytun Gospel is housed.
The Prelate delivered his statement on this occasion, in which he expressed satisfaction that rightful ownership of the sacred manuscripts was restored to the Armenian Church in this centennial year of the Armenian Genocide. His Eminence also expressed hope to one day have the Canon Tables exhibited together with the Zeytun Gospels in Armenia and at the Getty, and for the Getty to display more works of art by Armenian artists. The Prelate concluded by thanking the Getty for their cooperation and the attorneys for their diligence in reaching the agreement.
Guests were then invited for a private viewing of the manuscripts, during which Ms. Elizabeth Morrison, Senior Curator of Manuscripts, spoke of the artistic merit of Toros Roslin’s famed work.
The ceremony came to a close with the Lord’s Prayer and “Lord have mercy” hymn led by the Prelate.
