This Gospel, renowned for its miraculous power and fulfillment of prayers, was written in 1498 in the village of Aspisnak, in the district of Kajberunik.
During the forced deportations organized by Shah Abbas in 1604, the Gospel reached Iran together with its owners. Later, the city of New Julfa and its surrounding villages were founded there. The manuscript was preserved in the village of Shurishkan, in the province of Peria. From its place of preservation, the Gospel received one of its names. It has also been known as “Pap,” “The Red,” and “Saint Basil of Caesarea.”
According to tradition, before a marauding enemy attack, the Shurishkan Gospel was buried underground, and a willow branch was planted above it. After 7–8 days, peace returned to the village. When the villagers went to retrieve the holy Gospel, they noticed that the ground around it had become damp and the edges of the book had turned yellow. A few days later, a spring emerged at the same spot and gradually grew larger. That spring still exists today, is considered a sacred site, and is called Pap’s Spring.
The Catramidé brand has created a silver Shurishkan Gospel, measuring 6.5 cm in length.
It consists of 8 leaves (16 pages) and includes selected passages from the Gospel as written by the four Evangelists.
