The Life of Mashtots

The time is emphasized: after February 17, 440; but it is not indicated how much later. As we assumed above, Hovhan was sent to Ctesiphon to announce the election of Hovsep. The King's approval was needed for Hovsep's election, so that he could be ordained as the chief bishop. Although Yazkert recognized the election, he did not give his consent for the ordination. The desire of the Sublime Porte was that Armenia should be subject to the jurisdiction of the Katoghikos of Ctesiphon, which Hovhan would naturally have refused. For this reason, he was undoubtedly subjected to trials and sufferings. Hovsep remained as an elder katoghikos until his martyrdom (454). Hovhan's departure and return must be placed in the year March 440—March 441.

The passage (XVIII. 2), where it is said that they "celebrate" the memory of Sahak in Taron "gathering with assemblies year by year" on the 30th of Navasard, requires at least 2—3 years of time, therefore September 439—September 442.

Vahan Amatuni was present at Mashtots's funeral from the military side as a hazarapet. He was still in the office of hazarapet in 444, as we learn from the preface of the Canons of the Council of Shahapivan, when the marzpan of Armenia was Vasak. Vasak had taken this position from him between the years 445—450. And Vasak must have been called to the marzpanate of Armenia in the year 442/3; in any case, he was not in the new city on February 17, 440. Otherwise, it would have been expected that he, Vasak, who had become friends with Mashtots as Marzpan of Georgia, would personally participate in the funeral "from the military side."

These internal proofs testify that Koriwn wrote the Life of Mashtots in the months of March—May 440, under the influence of a fresh impression; he refined it and brought it to light in the year 441.

5. Life of Mashtots: The death of the Great Vardapet seems to have greatly affected Koriwn, his student. His heart, his mind, is still with the Vardapet; he lives with his memories. The idea awakens in him to write the Life of the Vardapet: "While," he says, "I was deep in thought in the secret chambers of my mind, wishing to recall the events and life and deeds of the blessed one," that is to say, he was forming a plan and arranging the memories, when from the Highest authority, from the locum tenens katoghikos Hovsep, "an order came to me... and along with it encouragement for others, my fellow students of the teachings," to "quickly and without delay chronicle" the history of the life and work of Mashtots. Although Koriwn finds this work beyond his ability, he also sets out to "adorn with writing the fruit-bearing activity of the long life of my Great Vardapet, who is like a sea of teaching."

His goal, however, is not to write a complete history of the life of Mashtots, with a description of contemporary political and ecclesiastical conditions, but to lift up in brief lines "when and at what time the God-given" scripture was provided, and "what kind of man it was to whom such a renewed God-like grace appeared," then to depict...