Isaac of Armenia

Isaac of Armenia, or Sahak (Armenian Սահակ; * to 338; † September 7 439 in Aschtischat in Southern Armenia) was 387-428 Catholicos (or Patriarch ) of Armenia. He was also known as Isaac the Great and his Parthian origin indicative as " Սահակ Պարթեւ - Sahak Parthev ".

Origin

Isaac the Great came from the Armenian family of the Gregoriden - the descendants of Gregory the Illuminator, the first Catholicos ( Patriarch ) of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

He was the son of Nerses I the Great, (also St. Nerses I. Parthev called ) (in Armenian Սուրբ Ներսես Ա Մեծ. ) (* 335, † 25 July 373), who - with a break - from 353 to 373 Catholicos of the Holy See of St. Echmiadzin and All Armenians, ie, Patriarch of the Armenian Apostolic Church and an Armenian statesman of antiquity, is still revered as a saint. At the same time Nerses was I Prince of gregori sized domains that include the districts or provinces Acilisene ( Hachdeanq / Hashteank ), Taron - Ashtishat (West Taron ) and Bagravandene ( Bagrevand ) included.

His mother was Sandukdt Mamikonian, a daughter of Vardan, the head of the princely house Mamikonian.

Life

Even as a child became an orphan, he received later in Constantinople Opel excellent literary education, partly in Eastern languages ​​. After he was elected patriarch, he decided to devote his thoughts and actions to the religious and scientific establishment and training of his people. At the time, Armenia underwent a serious crisis. 387, as Armenia lost its independence and was divided between the Byzantine Empire and Persia, he was ordained as Catholicos. He had for decades held the office of bishop. His reputation among the population grew after him the Persian king had sold 426. He moved to the west of the country, where he was protected and supported by the Byzantine Emperor Theodosius II.

To 430 he spent, because Persian pressure, some time in exile. With the permission of Persia, he returned after a few years returned to his bishopric. In old age, he retired from public life and eventually died 110 years old. Today, are dedicated to him in the year in the Armenian Church for several days.

Consequences of the division of Armenia

After the partition of Armenia each part had its own Armenian king. In the Byzantine part of it was forbidden to the Armenians to use the Syriac language. it was used exclusively for worship. In everyday life, the Greek language should be used, so that the land is Hellenized. In turn, Greek Persian part was entirely prohibited and the Syriac language was preferred and very welcome. Through these events, the ancient culture of the Armenians was in danger of sliding into oblivion. National unity was also seriously compromised.

Work

To avoid both and to save what can still be saved, Isaac developed using Mesrops the Armenian alphabet and translated Byzantine and Greek works, including the Bible, and also promoted significantly the transmission of important works in the vernacular, and is therefore regarded as founder of Armenian literature. The translation of the Syriac was adapted in any case within the meaning of the Septuagint and the Hebrew sources from the period 410-430 AD. The former Syrian liturgy was also translated into Armenian. At the same time he was referring to the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great, in order to give the new service specific national traits. Sahak built schools for higher studies. He was assisted by his disciples, whom he sent to study in Edessa, Melitene, Konstantin Opel. With their help, he managed to write the first masterpieces of Greek and Syriac Christian literature, uA the works of Athanasius, Cyril of Jerusalem, Basil, Gregory of Nazianzus, and Gregory of Nyssa, John Chrysostom, Ephrem the Syrian.

Through intensive efforts Sahak's destroyed by Persians churches and monasteries were rebuilt. It also received new monasteries, schools and hospitals set up. The formation was kept and enjoyed at that time a higher reputation. The Shah Yazdegerd I used Zoroastrianism was taken out of the education program and the three colleges, built as a guardian of ecclesiastical discipline again. Sahak should also be the author of liturgical hymns. He wrote two letters that were written to Theodosius II and to Atticus of Constantinople Opel. Dated to the 10th century, addressed to the holy Proclus of Constantinople Opel third letter is not from him. The canons ascribed to him, a liturgy and some hymns are also spurious.

In the Council of Ephesus of 431 AD, with respect to the dispute between the followers of Nestorius and the disciples of Acacius of Melitene and Rabbulas, appealed Isaac Church of Constantinople Opel and asked for legal assistance. Isaac resembled the order of the Armenian Church of the Byzantine, accordingly forbade the marriage of bishops. Due to his advanced age, he could not participate in the Council of Ephesus, but took over at the Synod of Aschtischat (435) the decisions of this third ecumenical council.

Marriage and issue

Isaac was, according to the tradition of his family - passing the office of Catholicos through several generations, as it wielded as a family heritage - married at a young age, before he began his ecclesiastical career and was ordained a deacon. The name of his wife, however, is not known.

From this marriage comes at least one daughter:

• Sahakanoysh princess Gregoriden, (* c. 385), which became the heir to the Gregorian sized domains. After her father's death in 439 the vast land holdings of the Gregoriden came through her ​​marriage to Hamazasp Mamikonian, who exercised 416 that in his family hereditary office of " Sparapet ", ie, the military commander in chief of the Kingdom of Greater Armenia, to the princely house Mamikonian, thereby contributing to the well- powerful aristocratic family of Armenia climb.