Manuscript leaf from a Book of Pericopes

Description

A manuscript in vellum from a book of Pericopes [a gospel book that contains passages that the priest can read during mass]. The scene shows Christ crucified, a chalice filling with blood below his feet. Standing beneath the cross on the right of Christ is Ecclesia [personification of the Roman Catholic Church] carrying a standard and torch. Beside her stands the Virgin Mary in a blue cloak. On the left stands St John and a personified Synagoga [personification of the Jewish faith] with a crown falling from her head, a trailing banner and an extinguished torch in her hands. Above the cross are figures representing a mourning sun and moon. The script above the illuminated page is from the Gospel of St John 8:59: Jesus autem abscondit se, et exivit de templo [but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple]. The text on the verso is also from the Gospel of St John, 8:52-55. This manuscript is a page that was removed from a manuscript in the Cathedral Library at Hildesheim, Germany (Ms. No. 688e).