Basel, Universitätsbibliothek, AN I 8

A full-page Byzantine-style illumination set within a red border on a gold leaf background. The scene depicts two figures seated at desks, engaged in writing.

The upper figure is an elderly man with a white beard and a halo, identified by the inscription as Saint Gregory the Theologian. He sits on an ornate wooden throne, wearing a purple mantle over a gold tunic. He writes with a quill on a long, winding white scroll that descends from a lectern. A divine ray of light from a blue segment in the upper left corner touches his head.

The lower figure is a younger man with a dark beard, wearing a black robe and a white cap, identified as Elias, Metropolitan of Crete. He is also seated on an ornate chair, writing on the lower portion of the same continuous scroll. Both figures have inkstands and writing implements on their respective desks. The ground at the bottom is depicted as a dark blue strip with small floral patterns.

SAINT GREGORY THE THEOLOGIAN
beginning his divine and sublime writings

ELIAS, METROPOLITAN
OF CRETE
beginning the
exegesis
of the orations
of the Theologian

• The Theologian
  [adorns] the world
  with the words
  of Christ

• The Theologian
  [adorns] the world
  with the words
  of Christ