The Four Gospels with the Commentary of Theophylact of Ohrid

A full-page illuminated miniature depicts Saint Matthew the Evangelist. The scene is enclosed within a wide, decorative border featuring a scale-like pattern of stylized feathers in blue, red, and light green, bordered by gold bands with black scalloped detailing.

In the center, against a brilliant gold background, is a stylized pink architectural structure representing a temple or city, characterized by three large arches and five towers with brownish-orange tiled roofs. The central, tallest tower is topped with a small cross.

Saint Matthew is shown as an elderly man with grey hair and a long beard, his head encircled by a golden halo. He is seated in a high-backed, wicker-work chair, leaning forward toward a wooden writing desk. He wears a reddish-brown tunic and a dark teal cloak draped over his legs. On the desk stands a small lectern holding a scroll, upon which the opening lines of his Gospel are written in black and red ink. The table also holds two inkwells (red and black) and other scribal tools. The floor beneath his feet is a simple ochre platform.

The book of the
generation of Jesus
Christ, the Son
of David,
the Son of Abraham.