Mashtots in the Armenian Manuscripts

摘要

The work by Koriwn (5~(th) c.) "The Life of Mashtots" reached us in later manuscripts with some changes. The material, which preserves some information about Mashtots, can be divided into two parts - ecclesiastical and historical manuscripts. In the Liturgical collections (Lectionaries, Synaxarions, Menologiums, hymnographic collections (Treasures), Homiliaries) Mashtots is mentioned with Catholicos Sahak and his activity as a translator is highlighted. In the historical works many different details can be found. By comparing and analyzing Koriwn's long and short versions a number of common and distinctive details are revealed. Despite the actual differences between long and short versions, in both works Mashtots's role is properly represented as the preacher of Christianity and the inventor of the alphabets. However, in this case Mashtots's appearance in the arena and his merit in front of Armenian Nation is associated with the name of Catholicos Sahak. In both versions Mashtots is the fellow of Catholicos Sahak Partev and Sahak's role in the spread of literacy is emphasized. The differences in Koriwn's work have been gradually changing during the centuries. If in the manuscripts of the 14~(th) century (Mat. Mat. 3787, Mat. 3797) Mashtots is only a priest and a preacher of Christianity, in the 17~(th) and later centuries (Mat. 2639), his role increased and nowadays Mashtots is considered to be a preacher of Christianity. There is the third group of manuscripts where Mashtots's role is limited; he is considered only as the reformer of Armenian alphabet.