Ecclesiastical History

...from the information contained therein. We will show later that Father Shmavon possessed that very manuscript of the Big Socrates The "Big Socrates" refers to the full, unabridged Armenian translation of the Ecclesiastical History, as opposed to the later, more common "Small Socrates" abridgment. which, fortunately, has been preserved.

The oldest mention of Socrates by name is found in the work of Asoghik Stepanos Taronetsi, known as Asoghik, was a prominent Armenian historian of the 10th and 11th centuries. in the tenth century. Listing the sequence of famous historians, he writes: "The Bible, Josephus, 'Eusebius Pamphili original: "Եւսեբիոս Պամփիլեայ" (Eusebios Pampilay). This is Eusebius of Caesarea, the father of ecclesiastical history. concludes at the twentieth year of the reign of King Constantine the Great. And after him, Socrates'." He continues: "There are also countless others among the Greek historians; but these two [Eusebius and Socrates], like great luminaries compared to the stars, excel in brightness." Asoghik considers Socrates as a peer to Eusebius of Caesarea, viewing him as the greatest and brightest star among all Greek historians. By stating that Eusebius brought his history up to the 20th year of Constantine’s reign and immediately adding, "and after him, Socrates," he gives us reason to assume that he recognizes only the original Big Socrates. At that time, it had not yet been merged with the Life of Silvester The Life of Pope Sylvester I was a popular hagiographical text that was often bundled with or used to supplement the abbreviated Armenian version of Socrates' history., because the historians who mention him later—with the exception of Samuel Anetsi and Michael the Syrian—only know the Small Socrates.

Samuel Anetsi A 12th-century Armenian chronicler known for his chronological tables. took the beginning of his history from Asoghik (Chapter 1, pages 5–7), making several changes and additions. Thus, he provides the following information: "Among whom the blessed Eusebius was more eminent than many between the first and the last; and after him, the historian Socrates, with many others..."

1. Stepanos Taronetsi (Asoghik), Universal History, edited by St. Malkhasian, St. Petersburg, 1885, page 6.