Minuscule 552 (in the Gregory-Aland numbering), ε 252 (in the Soden numbering),[1] is a Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament, on parchment. Palaeographically it has been assigned to the 12th century.[2] Scrivener labelled it by number 539. The manuscript has complex contents.
The codex contains a complete text of the four Gospels on 252 parchment leaves (size). The writing is in one column per page, 27 lines per page.[2]
The text is divided according to the Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: κεφαλαια (chapters), whose numbers are given at the margin, and the Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: τιτλοι (titles of chapters) at the top of the pages. There is also a division according to the smaller Ammonian Sections, but without references to the Eusebian Canons.[3]
It contains tables of the Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: κεφαλαια (only to Luke).[4]
Kurt Aland did not place the Greek text of the codex in any Category.[5] According to the Claremont Profile Method it represents the textual family Kx in Luke 1 and Luke 20. In Luke 10 it belongs to the group M106. It belong also to the textual cluster 1053 in Luke 1 and Luke 20.[6]
It has an unusual readings.[4] The text of Luke 22:43-44 is omitted.
The manuscript was held in the monastery Mar Saba. In 1834 Robert Curzon, Lord Zouche, brought this manuscript to England (along with the codices 548, 553, 554).[3] [4] The entire collection of Curzon was bequeathed by his daughter in 1917 to the British Museum, where it had been deposited, by his son, since 1876.[7]
The manuscripts was added to the list of the New Testament minuscule manuscripts by F. H. A. Scrivener (539) and C. R. Gregory (552).[3] [4]
The manuscript was examined by Scrivener, Dean Burgon, and Gregory (in 1883).[4]
It is currently housed at the British Library (Add MS 39595) in London.[2]