No complete, public-domain English translation of the full Garima Gospels exists as of 2026. Be cautious of websites claiming a “complete PDF” – they may be fake or copyright-infringing. Respect the monastery’s custodianship.
Tradition holds that the manuscripts were created by Abba Garima, a Byzantine royal who arrived in Ethiopia in the 6th century. Legend says he copied the entire Gospel in a single day because God delayed the setting of the sun. While the carbon dating allows for the possibility that the manuscripts are older than the saint himself, the association remains a vital part of Ethiopian religious heritage.
The Gospels consist of two distinct books (Garima 1 and Garima 2), containing the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. They are written in Ge'ez, the ancient liturgical language of Ethiopia.
