Saint Isaac the Great
- Also known as
- Sahak
- Memorial
- 9 September
- Profile
- Son of Saint Nerses the Great, Catholicos of Armenia.
Studied at Constantinople.
Married layman for several years.
Widower.
Monk.
Catholicos of Armenia in 390, succeeding his father to the office.
He secured recognition from Constantinople of the status, rights and independence of the Armenian Church.
From his position he worked to reform the Armenian Church, evangelize the Armenian people, and establish an Armenian identity.
He enforced Byzantine canon law, insisted on celibacy for bishops, built churches, schools and monasteries, and fought Persian paganism.
Isaac worked with Saint Mesrop the Teacher to evangelize Armenia, and to develop and alphabet of the Armenian language.
He supported the translation the Bible and the Greek and Syrian Doctors of the Church into Armenian
Isaac served as both civil and religious ruler of his people, established a national liturgy, and was responsible for the beginnings of Armenian literature.
He was driven into retirement in 428 when the Persians conquered part of his territory, but later returned as Catholics at Ashtishat from where he worked until he death.
Considered the founder of the Armenian Church
- Born
- 350
- Died
- 440 at Ashtishat of natural causes
- Canonized
- Pre-Congregation
- Additional Information
-
Book of Saints, by the Monks of Ramsgate
Catholic Online
Our Sunday Visitor's Encyclopedia of Saints, by Matthew Bunson, Margaret Bunson, and Stephen Bunson
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