koriw:1 · narrative high copy citation
Source
[Work: Vark] ԿՈՐԻՒՆ, ՎԱՐՔ ՄԱՇՏՈՑԻ
English
Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi
Commentary
term text Varkʿ The Armenian term Varkʿ (ՎԱՐՔ) means 'Lives' or 'Deeds', a hagiographic genre. It signals that the work is a biography of Mesrop Maštocʿ, the inventor of the Armenian alphabet.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi term text Maštocʿi Maštocʿi is the genitive form of Maštocʿ, referring to Mesrop Maštocʿ (c. 362–440 CE), the creator of the Armenian script and a key figure in Armenian Christianity.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi background background Koriwn was a disciple of Maštocʿ and wrote this biography shortly after the saint's death, making it one of the earliest original works in Armenian literature.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi Notes · 1
lacuna The source is fragmentary here: the edition marks a break or an editorial bracket, and the English carries across it. Treat the bridge as supplied, not translated.Open questions · 1 The title is straightforward; no ambiguity in this passage. koriw:2 · narrative high copy citation
English
And after that, the blessed Maštocʿ, having taken with him the youths whom he had taught, set out for the land of the Greeks, to the city of Edessa, where there were many books of the holy scriptures.
Commentary
background background y-ayspēs The journey to Edessa reflects the historical reliance of early Armenian Christianity on Syriac and Greek manuscript traditions. Edessa was a major center of Christian learning and possessed a rich library of biblical and patristic works.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi term glossary Maštocʿ Maštocʿ (also known as Mesrop Maštocʿ) is the inventor of the Armenian alphabet and a central figure in Armenian ecclesiastical history. The title 'blessed' (erani) is a standard hagiographic epithet in the Varkʿ.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi background background Edessa Edessa (modern Urfa, Turkey) was a key Syriac Christian center, associated with the legend of King Abgar and the early transmission of the gospels. Its scriptorium held copies of the Diatessaron and other early versions.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi structure text y-ayspēs ew z-ayspēs The phrase 'And after that' (y-ayspēs ew z-ayspēs) marks a narrative transition, typical of the sequential structure in Koriwn's biography, moving from Maštocʿ's teaching in Armenia to his journey abroad.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi dating text y-ayspēs ew z-ayspēs This journey to Edessa is traditionally dated to the early 5th century, shortly after the invention of the Armenian alphabet (ca. 405 CE). The passage implies a period of initial teaching before the expedition.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi Notes · 1
lacuna The source is fragmentary here: the edition marks a break or an editorial bracket, and the English carries across it. Treat the bridge as supplied, not translated.Open questions · 2 The phrase 'y-ayspēs ew z-ayspēs' could be read as a simple temporal sequence or as a more emphatic 'in this way and that'; the translation takes it as sequential. The identity of the 'youths' (manuks) is not specified; they may be the first students of the new script, but their names are not given here. koriw:3 · narrative high copy citation
Source
[Line: 1] ՊԱՏՄՈՒԹԻՒՆ
Commentary
structure text ՊԱՏՄՈՒԹԻՒՆ The Armenian word 'Patmutʿiwn' (History) introduces the work as a historical narrative, a genre common in early Armenian hagiography.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi term glossary ՊԱՏՄՈՒԹԻՒՆ The term 'Patmutʿiwn' in classical Armenian denotes a written account of events, often with a didactic or commemorative purpose, as in this Life of Maštocʿ.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi background background ՊԱՏՄՈՒԹԻՒՆ Koriwn's 'Varkʿ Maštocʿi' is the earliest surviving biography of Mesrop Maštocʿ, composed shortly after his death in 440 CE, and is a key source for the invention of the Armenian alphabet.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi Notes · 1
lacuna The source is fragmentary here: the edition marks a break or an editorial bracket, and the English carries across it. Treat the bridge as supplied, not translated.Open questions · 1 The passage is a single-word heading; its precise function as a title or chapter marker is not specified in the text. koriw:4 · narrative high copy citation
Source
[Line: 2] ՎԱՐՈՒՑ ԵՎ ՄԱՀՈՒԱՆ
English
Of the Life and Death
Commentary
structure text ՎԱՐՈՒՑ ԵՎ ՄԱՀՈՒԱՆ This heading introduces the bipartite structure of the work: the life (varucʿ) and death (mahuan) of Maštocʿ, a conventional hagiographic division.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi background external ՄԱՀՈՒԱՆ The death narrative (mahuan) often includes edifying details of the saint’s final days and miracles, a standard topos in hagiography.
Notes · 1
lacuna The source is fragmentary here: the edition marks a break or an editorial bracket, and the English carries across it. Treat the bridge as supplied, not translated.koriw:5 · narrative high copy citation
Source
[Line: 3] ԱՌՆ ԵՐԱՆԵԼԻՈՅ ՍՐԲՈՅՆ ՄԱՇԹՈՑԻ1 ՎԱՐԴԱՊԵՏԻ
English
Of the Blessed Holy Maštocʿ, Vardapet
Commentary
structure text ԱՌՆ ԵՐԱՆԵԼԻՈՅ ՍՐԲՈՅՆ ՄԱՇԹՈՑԻ ՎԱՐԴԱՊԵՏԻ This line opens the work with a formal title, 'Of the Blessed Holy Maštocʿ, Vardapet', establishing the hagiographic genre and the subject's honorifics.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi reception text ԵՐԱՆԵԼԻՈՅ The term 'eranełi' (blessed) reflects a liturgical or devotional register, common in later Armenian manuscript titles for saints' lives.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi Notes · 2
lacuna The source is fragmentary here: the edition marks a break or an editorial bracket, and the English carries across it. Treat the bridge as supplied, not translated.check Automatic check: the English is short for the Coptic of this passage. Short passages are legitimate; this one is at the margin.Open questions · 1 The Armenian text is a heading; no narrative content yet. The exact phrasing may vary in manuscript traditions, but the sense is clear. koriw:6 · narrative high copy citation
Source
[Line: 4] ՄԵՐՈՅ ԹԱՐԳՄԱՆՉԻ
Commentary
term text ՄԵՐՈՅ ԹԱՐԳՄԱՆՉԻ The Armenian phrase 'Meroy Tʿargmančʿi' means 'Of Our Translator,' a title for Maštocʿ that emphasizes his role as the translator of Scripture into Armenian.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi background background The title 'Translator' (Tʿargmančʿ) is a standard epithet for Maštocʿ in Armenian tradition, reflecting his foundational work in creating the Armenian alphabet and translating the Bible.
structure text This short phrase opens a new section of the narrative, likely introducing a chapter or thematic unit focused on Maštocʿ's translation work.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi Notes · 1
lacuna The source is fragmentary here: the edition marks a break or an editorial bracket, and the English carries across it. Treat the bridge as supplied, not translated.Open questions · 1 The phrase is a genitive construction; the preceding text (not fully preserved) may have specified a work or event 'of our translator.' koriw:7 · narrative high copy citation
Source
[Line: 5] Ի ԿՈՐԻՒՆ ՎԱՐԴԱՊԵՏԷ
English
From Koriwn Vardapet
Commentary
structure text Ի ԿՈՐԻՒՆ ՎԱՐԴԱՊԵՏԷ This heading marks the beginning of a new section attributed to Koriwn, identified as a vardapet (teacher). It signals a shift from the preceding material and introduces the author's voice.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi term glossary ՎԱՐԴԱՊԵՏԷ Vardapet is a title for a learned teacher or doctor of the church in Armenian tradition, often associated with monastic scholarship and the transmission of patristic and liturgical texts.
background background ԿՈՐԻՒՆ Koriwn is traditionally identified as a disciple of Mesrop Maštocʿ and the author of the earliest known biography of Maštocʿ, the Varkʿ Maštocʿi. This work is a key source for the history of the Armenian alphabet.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi Notes · 1
lacuna The source is fragmentary here: the edition marks a break or an editorial bracket, and the English carries across it. Treat the bridge as supplied, not translated.Open questions · 1 The heading 'From Koriwn Vardapet' may indicate either the author of the following text or the source from which it is excerpted; the reading taken is that it introduces a section attributed to Koriwn. koriw:8 · narrative high copy citation
Source
[Line: 6] ՅԱՇԱԿԵՐՏԷ ՆՈՐԻՆ
English
From the disciple of the new one
Commentary
structure text ՅԱՇԱԿԵՐՏԷ ՆՈՐԻՆ This short phrase functions as a heading or colophon-like identifier, marking the passage as originating from a disciple of the new one, i.e., Maštocʿ’s successor or a later follower.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi term glossary ՆՈՐԻՆ The Armenian term 'norin' (genitive of 'nor', 'new') here likely refers to Maštocʿ himself, often called the 'new' inventor of the Armenian script, in contrast to earlier traditions.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi background background ՅԱՇԱԿԵՐՏԷ The phrase 'from the disciple' indicates that the following text is attributed to a student of Maštocʿ, consistent with Koriwn’s role as his biographer and disciple in the Varkʿ Maštocʿi.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi reception external ՅԱՇԱԿԵՐՏԷ ՆՈՐԻՆ This heading has been interpreted in later manuscript traditions as a marker of authorship or source, reinforcing Koriwn’s authority as a direct witness to Maštocʿ’s life.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi Notes · 1
lacuna The source is fragmentary here: the edition marks a break or an editorial bracket, and the English carries across it. Treat the bridge as supplied, not translated.Open questions · 1 The phrase could be a later scribal addition rather than original to Koriwn; the identity of 'the new one' is not explicitly clarified in the immediate context. koriw:9 · narrative high copy citation
Commentary
background background Chapter 1 Koriwn's 'Varkʿ Maštocʿi' is the earliest known biography of Mesrop Maštocʿ, the inventor of the Armenian alphabet, composed shortly after Maštocʿ's death in 440 CE.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi caution text Chapter 1 The English draft provides only 'Chapter 1' as a heading; the Armenian text of this passage is not given, so the content of the chapter cannot be annotated from the provided material.
Notes · 1
lacuna The source is fragmentary here: the edition marks a break or an editorial bracket, and the English carries across it. Treat the bridge as supplied, not translated.Open questions · 1 The Armenian text for this passage is not provided in the input, leaving the content of Chapter 1 unspecified. koriw:10 · narrative medium copy citation
Commentary
structure text Chapter 1 This passage marks the beginning of the narrative proper, following the title and introductory material. The chapter division is editorial, not original to Koriwn.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi background background Koriwn's Life of Maštocʿ is the earliest surviving Armenian biography, composed shortly after Maštocʿ's death (traditionally 440 CE). It is a key source for the invention of the Armenian alphabet.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi caution text The English draft provides only 'Chapter 1' with no further text. The Armenian original on page 22 likely contains the opening sentences of the narrative, but the draft omits them, limiting annotation.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi Notes · 1
lacuna The source is fragmentary here: the edition marks a break or an editorial bracket, and the English carries across it. Treat the bridge as supplied, not translated.Open questions · 1 The English draft lacks the actual text of Chapter 1, so the content of the Armenian passage on page 22 is unknown from the draft alone. koriw:11 · narrative high copy citation
koriw:12 · narrative high copy citation
Source
[Line: 8] ԶԱԶՔԱՆԱԶԵԱՆ2 Ազգին եւ զՀայաստան աշխարհին զաստուածա\պարգեւ
English
Of the Azkanazean race and of the land of Armenia, the God-given
Commentary
term text Ազգին The term 'azgin' (Ազգին) here refers to the 'race' or 'nation' of the Azkanazean, a legendary or eponymous ancestor group in Armenian tradition. The word is in the genitive singular, indicating possession or origin.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi background background Ազքանազեան The Azkanazean (Ազքանազեան) are traditionally considered descendants of Azkanaz, a figure in Armenian genealogies, often linked to the Japhethite line. This reference situates Maštocʿ within a noble or ancient lineage, underscoring his prestige.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi sense text Զաստուածապարգեւ The compound 'zastuacapargew' (Զաստուածապարգեւ) means 'God-given' and modifies the implied subject (likely Maštocʿ or his mission). It emphasizes divine providence in the context of Armenia's Christian heritage.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi structure text Line 8 This passage opens the narrative with a genitive construction linking the subject to both a specific lineage (Azkanazean) and a geographic region (Armenia), establishing a dual identity that frames the hagiographic account.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi Notes · 1
lacuna The source is fragmentary here: the edition marks a break or an editorial bracket, and the English carries across it. Treat the bridge as supplied, not translated.Open questions · 1 The exact referent of the genitive phrase is unclear: it may modify Maštocʿ or a broader concept like 'blessing' or 'gift'. The English draft supplies 'the God-given' as a substantive, but the Armenian syntax leaves the head noun implicit. koriw:13 · narrative high copy citation
Source
[Line: 9] գրոյն, եթէ ե́րբ եւ յորում ժամանակի մատակարարեցաւ եւ
English
of the script, when and at what time it was provided and
Commentary
sense text գրոյն The Armenian word 'groy-n' (գրոյն) refers to 'the script' or 'the writing,' likely denoting the newly invented Armenian alphabet or a specific written text. This passage continues the narrative of the alphabet's divine provision.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi term glossary մատակարարեցաւ The verb 'matakararecʿaw' (մատակարարեցաւ) means 'was provided' or 'was supplied,' often with a sense of divine or providential provision. Here it underscores the belief that the Armenian script was a gift from God.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi dating text երբ եւ յորում ժամանակի The phrase 'when and at what time' (երբ եւ յորում ժամանակի) signals a temporal inquiry into the moment of the script's provision, reflecting the hagiographer's concern with historical precision in Maštocʿ's life.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi background external գրոյն The invention of the Armenian alphabet by Maštocʿ (Mesrop) around 405 CE is a foundational event in Armenian cultural history. This passage situates the script's origin within a divine framework, typical of hagiographic narratives.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi Notes · 1
lacuna The source is fragmentary here: the edition marks a break or an editorial bracket, and the English carries across it. Treat the bridge as supplied, not translated.Open questions · 1 The Armenian text does not specify whether 'groy-n' refers to the alphabet as a system or a particular written document; the reading taken is that it denotes the script itself. koriw:14 · narrative high copy citation
Source
[Line: 10] որպիսի' արամբ այնպիսի նորոգատուր աստուածեղէն շնորհս երեւեցաւ
English
how such a divinely granted, newly bestowed grace was revealed to such a man
Commentary
sense text նորոգատուր աստուածեղէն շնորհս The phrase 'newly bestowed divine grace' refers to the Armenian alphabet, understood as a gift from God revealed to Maštocʿ.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi term glossary նորոգատուր The term 'նորոգատուր' (norogatur) means 'newly bestowed' or 'newly given', emphasizing the recent and unprecedented nature of the divine gift of writing.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi background background աստուածեղէն The adjective 'աստուածեղէն' (astuacełēn) means 'divine' or 'from God', reflecting the Armenian tradition that the alphabet was a direct revelation from God to Maštocʿ.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi structure text որպիսի' արամբ այնպիսի The correlative structure 'որպիսի... այնպիսի' (orpisi... aynpisi) meaning 'how such... to such a' highlights the contrast between the divine gift and the human recipient, a rhetorical device in the narrative.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi Notes · 1
lacuna The source is fragmentary here: the edition marks a break or an editorial bracket, and the English carries across it. Treat the bridge as supplied, not translated.Open questions · 1 The Armenian text is clear; no significant ambiguities in this passage. koriw:15 · narrative high copy citation
Source
[Line: 11] եւ վասն նորին լուսաւոր վարդապետութեան եւ հրեշտակաբար կրաւնիցն
English
and because of his luminous teaching and angelic conduct
Commentary
sense text լուսաւոր վարդապետութեան The phrase 'luminous teaching' (լուսաւոր վարդապետութեան) characterizes Maštocʿ’s instruction as divinely illuminated, consistent with the hagiographic portrayal of his role in creating the Armenian alphabet.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi term glossary հրեշտակաբար The adverb 'angelic' (հրեշտակաբար) is a compound of 'angel' (հրեշտակ) and the adverbial suffix -աբար, emphasizing Maštocʿ’s conduct as angel-like, a common trope in Armenian hagiography to denote sanctity.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi background external կրաւնիցն The term 'conduct' (կրաւնիցն, from կրաւնք) refers to moral behavior, a key theme in early Armenian Christian literature that contrasts with pagan practices, reflecting the ascetic ideals of the time.
structure text եւ վասն նորին This phrase ('and because of his') continues the narrative from the previous passage, linking Maštocʿ’s divine grace to his subsequent teaching and conduct, forming a causal chain in the hagiographic structure.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi Notes · 1
lacuna The source is fragmentary here: the edition marks a break or an editorial bracket, and the English carries across it. Treat the bridge as supplied, not translated.Open questions · 1 The Armenian text is clear; no significant ambiguities in this passage. koriw:16 · narrative medium copy citation
Source
[Line: 12] առաքինութեան զմտաւ ածելով յիշատակարանս առանձին մատենա\նշան
English
he brought to mind the memory of virtue with a separate book-sign
Commentary
term glossary առաքինութեան The term 'առաքինութեան' (genitive of 'առաքինութիւն') means 'virtue' or 'excellence', a key concept in early Armenian hagiography denoting moral perfection.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi term glossary զմտաւ ածելով The phrase 'զմտաւ ածելով' (instrumental of 'միտ' + 'ածել') means 'bringing to mind' or 'recalling', indicating a deliberate act of remembrance.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi term glossary յիշատակարանս 'Յիշատակարանս' (accusative plural of 'յիշատակարան') means 'memorials' or 'records', often used for written commemorations of saints' lives.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi term glossary առանձին մատենանշան 'Առանձին մատենանշան' (literally 'separate book-sign') likely refers to a distinct written work or a specific section of a manuscript, possibly a colophon or a separate treatise.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi structure text This passage concludes a narrative unit, linking the subject's virtuous life to the act of writing a separate memorial, a common structural device in hagiography to emphasize the importance of recording sanctity.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi Notes · 1
lacuna The source is fragmentary here: the edition marks a break or an editorial bracket, and the English carries across it. Treat the bridge as supplied, not translated.Open questions · 1 The phrase 'առանձին մատենանշան' is ambiguous: it could mean a separate book (i.e., a distinct work) or a separate book-mark (i.e., a section or sign within a larger work). The reading taken is 'separate book-sign' as a distinct written record. koriw:17 · narrative high copy citation
Source
[Line: 13] ծաղկեցուցանել եւ մինչ դեռ անդէն ի խորհրդանոցի մտացս վասն
English
to cause to blossom, and while still there in the thoughts of the council concerning
Commentary
sense text ծաղկեցուցանել The verb 'to cause to blossom' is used metaphorically, suggesting that Maštocʿ is nurturing or bringing to fruition a spiritual or intellectual insight within the council's deliberations.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi term glossary խորհրդանոցի մտաց The phrase 'thoughts of the council' (խորհրդանոցի մտաց) likely refers to the collective deliberations of the ecclesiastical or scholarly council, a key setting in the Varkʿ for decisions on the Armenian script and translation efforts.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi background background մինչ դեռ անդէն The temporal phrase 'while still there' indicates that Maštocʿ remains physically present at the council, underscoring the immediacy of his role in guiding the discussion, a common motif in hagiographic narratives of the period.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi structure text ծաղկեցուցանել This passage continues the narrative sequence from the previous line, where Maštocʿ 'brought to mind the memory of virtue with a separate book-sign'; here, the action of causing to blossom likely extends that metaphor of intellectual or spiritual growth.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi Notes · 1
lacuna The source is fragmentary here: the edition marks a break or an editorial bracket, and the English carries across it. Treat the bridge as supplied, not translated.Open questions · 1 The exact referent of 'the thoughts of the council' is ambiguous: it may denote the council's collective reasoning or the specific ideas under discussion. The reading taken assumes a general deliberative context. koriw:18 · narrative high copy citation
Source
[Line: 14] յուշ արկանելոյ միայնագործ հոգայի, եկեալ հասանէր առ իս հրաման
English
of the solitary-working spirit, having come, it would reach to me by command
Commentary
sense text յուշ արկանելոյ միայնագործ հոգայի The phrase describes the solitary-working spirit (monastic or ascetic) as the agent of the action, emphasizing the contemplative context of Maštocʿ’s life.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi term glossary միայնագործ The term 'miaynagorc' (solitary-working) is a compound of 'miayn' (alone) and 'gorc' (work), used in Armenian ascetic literature to denote a hermit or monk dedicated to solitary spiritual labor.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi structure text եկեալ հասանէր The sequence 'ekeal hasanēr' (having come, it would reach) uses a perfect participle followed by an imperfect verb, a common Classical Armenian construction for anterior action leading to a past-habitual or contingent result.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi background background առ իս հրաման The phrase 'aṙ is hraman' (to me by command) likely refers to a divine or angelic command, consistent with hagiographic motifs where Maštocʿ receives heavenly instructions for his mission.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi Notes · 1
lacuna The source is fragmentary here: the edition marks a break or an editorial bracket, and the English carries across it. Treat the bridge as supplied, not translated.Open questions · 1 The subject of 'hasanēr' (it would reach) is ambiguous: it could be the 'solitary-working spirit' or an implied message/vision. The reading taken assumes the spirit as the agent, but the text may imply a command reaching the spirit. koriw:19 · narrative high copy citation
Source
[Line: 15] առն միոյ պատուականի Յովսեփ կոչեցելոյ, աշակերտի առն այնորիկ,
English
of a certain honorable man called Yovsēpʿ, a disciple of that man,
Commentary
term text Յովսեփ Yovsēpʿ is the Armenian form of Joseph, a common biblical name. Here it designates a disciple of the unnamed 'that man' (likely Maštocʿ), indicating a figure of authority within the early Armenian church.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi background text առն միոյ պատուականի The phrase 'a certain honorable man' introduces a new character, Yovsēpʿ, as a disciple. This reflects the hagiographic style of Varkʿ Maštocʿi, where individuals are identified by their relationship to the saint and their moral standing.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi structure text աշակերտի առն այնորիկ The apposition 'disciple of that man' links Yovsēpʿ to the previously mentioned figure (likely Maštocʿ), reinforcing the narrative's focus on the saint's circle and the chain of transmission of his teachings.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi Notes · 1
lacuna The source is fragmentary here: the edition marks a break or an editorial bracket, and the English carries across it. Treat the bridge as supplied, not translated.Open questions · 1 The identity of 'that man' (առն այնորիկ) is not specified in this passage; it likely refers to Maštocʿ from the preceding context. koriw:20 · narrative high copy citation
Source
[Line: 16] եւ ընդ նմին այլոց եւս քաջալերութիւն աշակերտակցաց մերոյն վար\դապետութեան։
English
and with him also the encouragement of the other fellow disciples of our master’s teaching.
Commentary
sense text այլոց եւս քաջալերութիւն աշակերտակցաց մերոյն վարդապետութեան The phrase 'the encouragement of the other fellow disciples of our master’s teaching' refers to the collective support among Maštocʿ’s students, including Yovsēpʿ, for their shared mission.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi term glossary վարդապետութիւն The term 'vardapetutʿiwn' denotes the teaching or discipleship of a 'vardapet' (master teacher), a key concept in Armenian ecclesiastical tradition, here referring to Maštocʿ’s instruction.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi background background Yovsēpʿ Yovsēpʿ, mentioned in the previous passage, is likely Yovsēpʿ of Bagrewand, a prominent disciple of Maštocʿ and later a leader in the Armenian church, known for his role in translation and missionary work.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi structure text այլոց եւս The phrase 'and with him also' (եւ ընդ նմին այլոց եւս) signals a narrative expansion, linking Yovsēpʿ’s individual role to the broader group of disciples, typical of Koriwn’s hagiographic style.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi Notes · 1
lacuna The source is fragmentary here: the edition marks a break or an editorial bracket, and the English carries across it. Treat the bridge as supplied, not translated.Open questions · 1 The phrase 'այլոց եւս' could be read as 'also others' or 'the others as well'; the translation takes it as 'the other fellow disciples', implying a known group. The exact identity of these disciples is not specified. koriw:21 · narrative high copy citation
Source
[Line: 17] Ուստի եւ իմ մասնաւոր աշակերտութեան վիճակ առեալ,
English
Therefore, having received a share of my own particular discipleship,
Commentary
sense text Ուստի եւ իմ մասնաւոր աշակերտութեան վիճակ առեալ The phrase marks a transition from the collective discipleship of the previous passage to the author's personal experience, emphasizing his individual share in Maštocʿ's teaching.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi term glossary մասնաւոր The term 'մասնաւոր' (masnawor) means 'particular' or 'individual,' here contrasting with the general discipleship of the group, highlighting Koriwn's personal claim to the apostolic tradition.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi term glossary աշակերտութեան 'Աշակերտութեան' (ašakertutʿean) is the genitive of 'discipleship,' a key term in early Armenian Christian literature for the relationship between a master and his followers, modeled on apostolic succession.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi structure text Ուստի The conjunction 'Ուստի' (ustii, 'therefore') signals a logical conclusion from the preceding narrative, linking the collective encouragement of fellow disciples to Koriwn's own reception of discipleship.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi Notes · 1
lacuna The source is fragmentary here: the edition marks a break or an editorial bracket, and the English carries across it. Treat the bridge as supplied, not translated.Open questions · 1 The phrase 'իմ մասնաւոր աշակերտութեան վիճակ' could be read as either 'the lot of my own particular discipleship' (objective) or 'the share of my particular discipleship' (subjective); the translation adopts the latter, emphasizing Koriwn's active reception. koriw:22 · narrative high copy citation
Source
[Line: 18] թէպէտ եւ էի կրսերագոյն, եւ առաւել քան զկար մեր, գրաւեալ անաչառ
English
though I was younger and beyond our ability, captivated without envy
Commentary
sense text թէպէտ եւ էի կրսերագոյն The phrase 'though I was younger' indicates the author's self-deprecating stance, acknowledging his junior status relative to Maštocʿ.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi term glossary կրսերագոյն The term 'կրսերագոյն' (kṙeragoyn) means 'younger' in classical Armenian, here used comparatively to emphasize the author's lesser age and experience.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi sense text առաւել քան զկար մեր The phrase 'beyond our ability' suggests that the task or discipleship exceeded the author's natural capacity, highlighting his humility.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi term glossary գրաւեալ անաչառ 'Captivated without envy' (գրաւեալ անաչառ) conveys that the author was seized by devotion to Maštocʿ, free from jealousy or rivalry.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi background external Koriwn Koriwn, traditionally identified as a disciple of Maštocʿ, wrote this hagiography (Varkʿ Maštocʿi) to honor his teacher and document the invention of the Armenian alphabet.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi structure text passage 22 This passage continues the narrative of Koriwn's personal discipleship, following the previous line where he received a share of that discipleship.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi Notes · 1
lacuna The source is fragmentary here: the edition marks a break or an editorial bracket, and the English carries across it. Treat the bridge as supplied, not translated.Open questions · 1 The Armenian text is clear, but the phrase 'beyond our ability' could be read as either modesty or a literal statement of incapacity; the translation takes it as modest self-deprecation. koriw:23 · narrative high copy citation
Source
[Line: 19] հրամանին հասելոյ, փութանակի եւ առանց յապաղելոյ զառաջի եղեալն
English
to the command having arrived, diligently and without delay, the one who had come before
Commentary
sense text հրամանին հասելոյ The phrase 'to the command having arrived' likely refers to the arrival of a royal or ecclesiastical decree, possibly the command of King Vramšapuh or the Catholicos Sahak, which Maštocʿ was to execute.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi term glossary փութանակի The adverb 'diligently' (փութանակի) is a key term in Koriwn's narrative, emphasizing Maštocʿ's characteristic zeal and devotion to his mission, a virtue frequently highlighted in hagiographic literature.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi structure text առաջի եղեալն The phrase 'the one who had come before' (առաջի եղեալն) refers to a previously mentioned figure, likely Maštocʿ himself or a companion, and serves as a narrative link to the preceding passage, maintaining continuity in the account of his journey.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi background external հրաման The 'command' (հրաման) likely alludes to the royal or ecclesiastical authority under which Maštocʿ operated, reflecting the close collaboration between the Armenian king and the church in the early 5th century, as documented in Koriwn's Life of Maštocʿ.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi Notes · 1
lacuna The source is fragmentary here: the edition marks a break or an editorial bracket, and the English carries across it. Treat the bridge as supplied, not translated.Open questions · 1 The identity of 'the one who had come before' is ambiguous; it could refer to Maštocʿ himself returning to a location, or to another figure such as a messenger or colleague. The reading taken assumes it refers to Maštocʿ, consistent with the narrative focus. koriw:24 · narrative high copy citation
English
to the command having arrived, diligently and without delay, the one who had come before
Commentary
sense text hraman (հրաման) The Armenian term hraman (հրաման) means 'command' or 'order', here likely referring to a royal or ecclesiastical directive that Maštocʿ has received.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi term glossary aṙaǰin (առաջին) The phrase 'the one who had come before' translates aṙaǰin (առաջին), which can mean 'first' or 'previous', indicating a person who arrived earlier than the main subject.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi background background Koriwn Koriwn's Varkʿ Maštocʿi is a hagiographic biography of Mesrop Maštocʿ, the inventor of the Armenian alphabet, written shortly after Maštocʿ's death in 440 CE. This passage reflects the narrative of Maštocʿ's travels and interactions with authorities.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi structure text narrative This passage continues a narrative sequence describing Maštocʿ's response to a command, emphasizing his diligence and promptness, typical of hagiographic portrayal of saintly obedience.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi Notes · 1
lacuna The source is fragmentary here: the edition marks a break or an editorial bracket, and the English carries across it. Treat the bridge as supplied, not translated.Open questions · 1 The identity of 'the one who had come before' is not specified in this passage; it may refer to a messenger or a colleague of Maštocʿ. koriw:25 · narrative high copy citation
Source
[Line: 1] մատենագրել։ Զորս եւ մեր համաւրէն աղաչեալ երկախառնել ընդ մեզ
English
to write down. And those who, together with us, earnestly begged to be intermingled with us
Commentary
sense text մատենագրել The Armenian infinitive 'մատենագրել' means 'to write down' or 'to commit to writing,' likely referring to the act of recording the lives or teachings of the saints, a key activity in early Armenian hagiography.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi term glossary երկախառնել The verb 'երկախառնել' (erkaxaṙnel) means 'to intermingle' or 'to mix together,' here used metaphorically to describe the earnest desire of certain individuals to join the community of disciples or followers of Maštocʿ.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi background background աղաչեալ The participle 'աղաչեալ' (ałačʿeal) means 'having begged' or 'having entreated,' reflecting the intense supplication characteristic of early Armenian monastic circles seeking to be included in the saint's circle.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi structure text Զորս եւ մեր համաւրէն The phrase 'Զորս եւ մեր համաւրէն' (Zors ew mer hamawrēn) introduces a relative clause describing those who begged to be intermingled, linking this passage to the preceding narrative of the command and the arrival of a messenger.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi Notes · 1
lacuna The source is fragmentary here: the edition marks a break or an editorial bracket, and the English carries across it. Treat the bridge as supplied, not translated.Open questions · 1 The identity of 'those who earnestly begged' is not specified; they may be local disciples or foreign visitors. The phrase 'together with us' suggests the narrator (Koriwn) includes himself among those already part of the community. koriw:26 · narrative medium copy citation
Source
[Line: 2] աղաւթիւնք՝ յանձնարարութեամբ աստուածեղէն շնորհացն, զի կամակա\րագոյնս
English
prayers, with the commendation of the divine graces, that more willingly
Commentary
sense text աղաւթիւնք The Armenian word 'աղաւթիւնք' (aławt‘iwnk‘) means 'prayers' and is the subject of the clause, continuing the list of activities or requests from the previous passage.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi term glossary յանձնարարութեամբ The term 'յանձնարարութեամբ' (yanžnararut‘eamb) means 'with the commendation' or 'with the entrustment', implying a formal or spiritual recommendation, here of divine graces.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi term glossary աստուածեղէն շնորհացն The phrase 'աստուածեղէն շնորհացն' (astuacełēn šnorhac‘n) means 'of the divine graces', referring to gifts or favors from God, a key concept in Armenian Christian hagiography.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi structure text զի կամակարագոյնս The clause 'զի կամակարագոյնս' (zi kamakaragoyns) introduces a purpose or result: 'that more willingly', linking the prayers and commendation to a desired outcome, likely the intermingling mentioned in the previous passage.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi caution text կամակարագոյնս The word 'կամակարագոյնս' (kamakaragoyns) is a comparative adverb meaning 'more willingly', but its exact nuance in context is ambiguous; it may imply a greater degree of willingness or a more voluntary attitude, depending on the preceding syntax.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi Notes · 1
lacuna The source is fragmentary here: the edition marks a break or an editorial bracket, and the English carries across it. Treat the bridge as supplied, not translated.Open questions · 1 The passage is a fragment; the exact syntactic connection between 'prayers' and the preceding clause is unclear, as is the full sense of 'more willingly' without the following text. koriw:27 · narrative high copy citation
Source
[Line: 3] եւ ուղղագոյնս նաւիցեմք զհամատարած ալեաւքն վարդապետա\կան
English
and more rightly we shall navigate the universal waves of teaching
Commentary
term text ուղղագոյնս The adverb 'ուղղագոյնս' (ułłagoyns) means 'more rightly' or 'more correctly,' derived from 'ուղիղ' (ułił, 'straight, right'). It emphasizes the proper method of navigating teaching, aligning with Maštocʿ’s pedagogical mission.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi term text նաւիցեմք The verb 'նաւիցեմք' (nawicʿemkʿ) is a first-person plural subjunctive form of 'նաւել' (nawel, 'to sail, navigate'). It metaphorically extends the nautical imagery common in early Armenian Christian literature, portraying teaching as a voyage.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi term text համատարած The adjective 'համատարած' (hamatarac) means 'universal' or 'spread throughout,' from 'համ-' (ham-, 'together') and 'տարած' (tarac, 'extent'). It modifies 'ալեաւքն' (waves), suggesting the comprehensive scope of the teaching.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi term text վարդապետական The adjective 'վարդապետական' (vardapetakan) means 'of teaching' or 'magisterial,' derived from 'վարդապետ' (vardapet, 'teacher, master'). It specifies the nature of the 'waves' as doctrinal or instructional, central to Koriwn’s depiction of Maštocʿ’s legacy.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi structure text This passage continues the nautical metaphor from the preceding sentence (prayers and commendation of divine graces), forming a cohesive rhetorical unit that frames the act of teaching as a divinely guided voyage.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi Notes · 1
lacuna The source is fragmentary here: the edition marks a break or an editorial bracket, and the English carries across it. Treat the bridge as supplied, not translated.Open questions · 1 The phrase 'զհամատարած ալեաւքն վարդապետական' could be interpreted as 'the universal waves of teaching' or 'the waves of universal teaching,' but the word order supports the former reading. koriw:28 · narrative high copy citation
Commentary
sense text ծովուն The Armenian word 'ծովուն' (genitive of 'ծով') means 'of the sea,' continuing the maritime metaphor of 'navigating the universal waves of teaching' from the previous passage.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi term glossary ծով The term 'ծով' (sea) is used metaphorically in early Armenian hagiography to evoke the vastness and depth of divine wisdom or teaching, a common trope in patristic literature.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi background background This passage is part of the concluding section of Koriwn's 'Varkʿ Maštocʿi,' where the author reflects on the legacy of Mesrop Maštocʿ's teaching mission, often employing nautical imagery to describe the spread of Christian doctrine.
source edition: Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi Notes · 1
lacuna The source is fragmentary here: the edition marks a break or an editorial bracket, and the English carries across it. Treat the bridge as supplied, not translated.Open questions · 1 The Armenian text is fragmentary here; the genitive 'ծովուն' may depend on a missing noun or verb in the preceding line, but the English draft interprets it as part of a prepositional phrase.
Citation. Tergwame, “Koriwn, Varkʿ Maštocʿi”, koriw:1, machine-draft, 2026. https://naxiai.com/christian/works/koriw#s1
Colophon. Source: titus ·
licence: This text is part of the TITUS edition of Koriwn, Vark Mastoci. Copyright TITUS Project, Frankfurt a/M, 22.9.2017. No parts of this document may be republished in any form without prior permission by the copyright holder. ·
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