History of the Armenians, Volumes 2-3

head of all sees. Some say that the Syunik see was in the seventh rank of the bishops of Armenia, [but] now they placed it in the third rank. But do not believe it original: "մի՛ հաւանիր", for only that of Aghvank was above Syunik because of its archiepiscopacy. But the see of Syunik, because of its metropolitan status, was far above all the bishops of Armenia, for no one else held the honor of a metropolitanate. And as much as a patriarch is above an archbishop, and an archbishop above a metropolitan, by so much is a metropolitan above a bishop, for he ordains the bishop.

Having taken the metropolitanate, Stephanos went to the province, and with divine laws, he instructed and taught. Like a sword, he cut the diseased; like a wise physician, he healed the wounded; like fine salt, he seasoned the tasteless; like a bright sun, he illuminated the darkened. He fed the children in Christ milk like a parent; to the perfect, he offered perfect food, like a faithful steward. He interpreted and wrote many books: Genesis original: "զԱրարածքն", Job, Ezekiel, and many others, whose words shine like a bright torch among the other interpreters. He also composed many Discourses; he divided and ordered the eight modes original: "ութ ձայնսն"; he arranged the Hymns of the Resurrection; he also sang ktsurds original: "կցուրդս" [coda/antiphons].

1. What you say regarding your see is not very believable, oh Historian.
2. The first of the Biblical books, the book of Genesis. Little is found now of what he wrote.
3. Concerning the modes of church songs, the Sharakan, which were sung even before him.
4. Short songs like hymns, as if to attach them to the latter.