History of the Armenians, Volumes 2-3

of the Greeks, which brings the fruits of the tree of art into the possessor of art with nourishment, stamped with an ever-more expert skill, he gave to the Church of Christ the complete order of the service of hours. Enriched with a beautiful composition, he further revealed the interpretations of each order for the consolation of the church clergy. He also arranged self-spoken poetic discourses, [which are] penitential for evil deeds and exhortatory for the needs of repentance. He, giving himself over with complete virtuous courage, armed himself with laborious effort in spiritual works, through fasts, prayers, and all-night vigils. Beneath, he did not wear wool, but dressed in goat hair, the heavy and wretched garments of hell. On the outside original: "զարտաքոյսն" however, he dressed and adorned himself with precious colored materials, and small gold shavings original: "ոսկի մանր խարտիւ" ground down and mixed with sweet oils, he would blow into his flowered hoary beard, which descended to the hem of his garment. He repeats what is said for Aaron in the Psalms. And so he formed the court, so that for the good-thinking beholders it might be a good cause for rejoicing, and for the wicked, the naive, a startling fear to turn from evil to good. ...

And because the overseer of God had seen a certain Armenian official named Vlith, and it happened that he went to the Caliph and told him of the dignity of Hovhannes. The Caliph, desiring to see him, quickly sent one of his servants to bring the overseer of God to himself. And when he was brought, with much honor in the royal city, the Caliph sent a message to him that he should dress himself in his customary

1. The upper or outer garment.
2. Grinding by means of a file tool, as if milling the gold.
3. He repeats what is said for Aaron in the Psalms.