Minuscule 538

[3][4] The tables of the κεφαλαια (tables of contents) are placed before each Gospel, portrait of the Saint Mark,[5] It contains lectionary markings at the margin (for liturgical use), Menologion (fragments), and subscriptions at the end of each Gospel, with numbers of stichoi.

Gospel order is mixed with various leaves misplaced in other areas of the manuscript (folio 153 recto has John 1:15).

Hermann von Soden classified it as a member of the textual family Kx.

[7] The manuscript was brought from Janina (Epirus) between 1870 and 1872 together with the codices 532-546 and bought by Baroness Burdett-Coutts (1814-1906), a philanthropist.

[3] The manuscript was examined and collated by Scrivener in his Adversaria critica sacra.