Ecclesiastical History

Page 11.

Samuel of Ani Samuel Anetsi, a 12th-century chronicler known for his chronological tables. and Michael the Syrian A 12th-century Patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church whose voluminous chronicle was translated into Armenian., the Small Socrates from the thirteenth century—Kirakos Gandzaketsi A historian of the 13th century and student of Vanakan Vardapet., Vardan (the translator of Michael the Syrian) Vardan Areveltsi, a polymath who translated Michael the Syrian’s work from Syriac into Armenian., and several more modern authors. Finally, both versions are recognized together only in the fourteenth century by Mkhitar Ayrivanetsi A monk and historian known for his "Chronological History." and much later by the publisher of the Azdarar newspaper The first Armenian periodical, published in Madras, India, between 1794 and 1796.. Michael the Syrian made use of the Great Socrates or a similar source (see Socr. pages 125, 163, 383), while Vardan the historian used the Small version (see Socr. page 335).

Bishop Ukhtanes A 10th-century Armenian historian whose work focuses on the history of the Armenian Church and its separation from the Georgian Church., in chapters 71 and 72 of the first book of his history, recounts the conversion of Constantine the Great to Christianity at the hands of Patriarch Sylvester Pope Sylvester I (r. 314–335), who according to legend baptized Constantine. and Queen Helena’s journey to Jerusalem to find the Savior’s Cross. Helena’s journey to Jerusalem is also mentioned in Socrates’ History, but even the slightest comparison¹ is sufficient to show that this was not Ukhtanes’ source; what remains is the story of Constantine’s conversion. The details, and indeed the entire narrative, resemble the expanded Life of Sylvester; nevertheless, Ukhtanes, writing in the tenth century, was not acquainted with that translation. In the Synaxarion The Yaysmavurk, a liturgical collection of hagiographies read according to the feast days of the year. under the dates of Kaghots 25 An ancient Armenian month; Kaghots 25 roughly corresponds to late December. and January 2, we have: "The Life and Commemoration of Saint Sylvester, Patriarch of Rome," the continuation of which is set apart under the specific title "The Conversion to Christ of King Constantine."

1. See Socr. I, page 17.