ABSTRACT
Thirteen Syriac manuscripts from the sixth through the thirteenth centuries are the focus of this chapter. The greater part of them is not very well known. In terms of the arrangement of their repertory, they are systematized in four types, which are clearly outlined: a thematic liturgical cyclic order, an anthological order, an uninterrupted liturgical calendar order and an interrupted liturgical calendar order. It is concluded that the Syriac manuscripts display various archaic features that in turn allow us to reconstruct the early history of the liturgical hymnographic books from the sixth century onwards. Also, the Syriac manuscripts allow us to determine the stages of their development, the changes that occurred in these stages, the liturgy and the repertory practiced.
