Greek Liturgy of John Chrystostom, Rome, Doukas, 1526, later mottled calf

Greek Liturgy

Αι θειαι λειτουργειαι. Του αγιου Ιωαννου του Χρυσοστομου. Βασιλειου του Μεγαλου... Rome: Demetrios Doukas, 1526

4to (206 x 129mm.), printed in red and black, Greek text, woodcut initials and headpieces, 4 pages of manuscript at front comparing different editions of this text (copied from an English reference book from the 1890s), later mottled calf, spine gilt in compartments, red edges, title-page slightly torn and repaired in gutter and at foot, front flyleaf and first leaf of manuscript

text detached

FIRST EDITION OF THE LITURGIES OF JOHN CHRYSOSTOM AND BASIL THE GREAT, the standard liturgies of the Eastern Christian churches, parts of which are still in use today, together with the eighth-century commentary on the liturgy by Germanus, patriarch of Constantinople. This is the only publication from the press of Demetrios Doukas, who had previously worked for Aldus Manutius before becoming professor of Greek at the Complutensian University in Alcalá.

Copies are known with an additional privilege leaf in Latin at the end, which is not present in this copy.

PROVENANCE

A convent in Coimbra, inscription at foot of second leaf

LITERATURE

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