Sacra Parallela

The Sacra Parallela is a Byzantine florilegium of quotes in Greek from the Bible and patristic texts used in the instruction of ethics, morals and asceticism.

In its original state, the Sacra Parallela existed as three separate books which discussed dealing with God, with Man and with Virtues and Vices respectively.

Serving as a priest at Mar Saba near Jerusalem, John of Damascus lived under Muslim rule and was safe from persecution for his iconophile views.

Regardless of Holl's findings, due to the manuscript's creation in a time of iconoclasm and its rich use of gold, the piece is still considered very valuable and has been studied to some extent.

[7] The Parisian manuscript is 35.6 x 26.5 centimeters and is bound in pressed leather with clasps dated to the fifteenth century.

However, as a result of its structure as a florilegium text, the author of the Sacra Parallela lacked any notion of design when distributing the images.

[9] Passages from the Church Fathers are the lengthiest and since patristic texts rarely have narrative illustrations, they are responsible for the long gaps that lack images.

[12] The double lines used for the folds in the draperies are not consistent in style hinting at the fact that there was more than one illuminator working on this manuscript.

The artists were also skilled as realistically depicting gestures and motions, shown through Abraham's firm grip on Sarah's wrist.