Isaac the Great

Saint Isaac the Great (Sahak)

Isaac of Armenia or Sahak ( Armenian Սահակ ; * around 338; † September 7, 439 in Ashtishat in southern Armenia) was from 387 to 428 Catholicos (or patriarch ) of Armenia . He was also known as Isaac the Great and, referring to his Parthian origins, as "Սահակ Պարթև - Sahak Parthew".

origin

Isaac the Great came from the Armenian noble family of the Gregorids - the descendants of Gregory the Illuminator , the first Catholicos (patriarch) of the Armenian Apostolic Church .

He was the son of Nerses I the Great , (also called St. Nerses I. Parthev) (In Armenian Սուրբ Ներսես Ա. Մեծ) (* 335, † July 25, 373), who - with one interruption - from 353 to 373 Catholicos of the Holy See of St. Etchmiadzin and All Armenians, d. i.e., Patriarch of the Armenian Apostolic Church and an Armenian statesman of ancient times who is still venerated as a saint today. At the same time Nerses I was prince of the Gregorian domains, which included the districts and provinces Acilisene (Hachdeanq / Hashteank), Taron-Ashtishat (West Taron) and Bagravandene (Bagrevand).

His mother was Sandukdt Mamikonian , a daughter of Vardan, head of the princely house of Mamikonian.

Life

Orphaned while still a child, he later received an excellent literary education in Constantinople , some in Eastern languages. After he was elected patriarch, he decided to devote his actions and actions to the religious and scientific development and further education of his people. At the time, Armenia was going through a serious crisis. In 387, when Armenia lost its independence and was divided between the Byzantine Empire and Persia , he was ordained a Catholicos . He held the office of bishop for decades. His reputation among the population grew after the Persian king deposed him in 426. He moved to the west of the country, where he was protected and supported by the Byzantine Emperor Theodosius II .

Around 430 he spent some time in exile due to Persian pressure . With the permission of Persia, he returned to his bishopric after a few years. In old age he withdrew from the public eye and finally died at the age of 110. Today several days a year are dedicated to him in the Armenian Church .

Consequences of the partition of Armenia

After the partition of Armenia, each part had its own Armenian king. In the Byzantine part, the Armenians were forbidden to use the Syriac language . It was used exclusively for worship. The Greek language should be used in everyday life so that the country is Hellenized . In the Persian part, Greek was again forbidden completely and the Syrian language was preferred and very welcome. As a result of these events, the ancient culture of the Armenians was in danger of being forgotten. National unity was also seriously endangered.

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In order to avoid both and to save what can still be saved, Isaac developed the Armenian alphabet with the help of Mesrops and translated Byzantine and Greek works, including the Bible, and also significantly promoted the translation of important works into the vernacular , and is therefore considered to be Founder of Armenian literature. In any case, the translation from Syriac was adapted in line with the Septuagint and the Hebrew sources from the period 410 to 430 AD. The previous Syrian liturgy has also been translated into Armenian. At the same time he referred to the liturgy of Basil the Great in order to give the new divine service specific national characteristics. Sahak built schools for higher studies. His disciples, whom he sent to study in Edessa , Melitene , and Constantinople, helped him . With their help he managed to write the first masterpieces of Greek and Syrian Christian literature, including a. the works of Athanasius , Cyril of Jerusalem , Basil, Gregory of Nazianzen and Gregory of Nyssa , John Chrysostom , Ephraem the Syrians .

Through intensive efforts by Sahak, the churches and monasteries destroyed by the Persians were rebuilt. In addition, he had new monasteries, schools and hospitals set up. Education was cultivated and enjoyed a higher reputation at the time. By Shah I. Yazdegerd used Zoroastrianism was taken out of the educational program and built the three colleges as guardians of ecclesiastical discipline again. Sahak is also said to be the author of liturgical hymns. He wrote two letters to Theodosius II and Atticus of Constantinople. A third letter, dated to the 10th century, addressed to St. Proclus of Constantinople , does not come from him. The canons, a liturgy and some hymns ascribed to him are also spurious.

In the Council of Ephesus of 431 AD, regarding the dispute between the followers of Nestorius and the disciples of Acacius of Melitene and Rabbulas , Isaac's church appealed to Constantinople and asked for legal assistance. Isaac adjusted the order of the Armenian Church to that of the Byzantine Church, and accordingly forbade the bishops to marry. Because of his old age he could not take part in the Council of Ephesus, but took over the decisions of this 3rd ecumenical council at the Synod of Ashtishat (435).

Marriage and offspring

Isaac, according to the tradition of his family - who exercised the office of Catholicos for several generations as a family inheritance - was married at a young age before he began his spiritual career and was ordained a deacon . However, the name of his wife has not been passed down.

At least one daughter comes from this marriage:

• Sahakanoysh princess of the Gregorids, (* around 385), who became the heiress of the Gregorid domains. After the death of their father in 439, the Gregorids' extensive land ownership came to the princely house of Mamikonian through their marriage to Hamazasp Mamikonian , who in 416 held the hereditary office of "Sparapet", that is, the military commander in chief of the Kingdom of Greater Armenia , which rose to probably the most powerful aristocratic family in Armenia.

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Christian Settipani: Nos Ancêtres de l'Antiquité. Editions Christian, Paris, 1991, ISBN 2-86496-050-6 , p. 66
2. ↑ Christian Settipani; op. cit. P. 62
3. ↑ Christian Settipani; op. cit. P. 66
4. ^ Anthony Wagner: Pedigree and Progress-Essays in the genealogical interpretation of history. Phillimore, London et al. 1975, ISBN 0-85033-198-6 , Pedigree 36 on p. 195.
5. ↑ Christian Settipani; op. cit. P. 66

literature

Reinhard Tenberg:  Isaac the Great (also Sahak I.). In: Biographisch-Bibliographisches Kirchenlexikon (BBKL). Volume 2, Bautz, Hamm 1990, ISBN 3-88309-032-8 , Sp. 1348-1349.

See also: List of Katholikoi of the Armenian Apostolic Church

predecessor	Office	successor
Aspurakes I.	Catholicos of the Armenian Apostolic Church 387–436	Mesrop