History of Armenia, by Father Michael Chamich; from B. C. 2247 to ...

HISTORY OF ARMENIA. 239
nation. St. Isaac then commenced translating
into Armenian the Old Testament, from the
Syriac, as St. Mesrop had already given a translation
of the New Testament.
Having a great desire to obtain Armenian
copies of all the considerable works of other
nations,
the two saints, not having time themselves
to devote to this object, sent their learned
disciples to Edessaand Constantinople, there to
select and translate those books which were in
the greatest repute. These individuals were
Joseph of Palin, Eznik of Colb, Johanof Ekeliaz,
Arzan the Arzrunian, Leond the celebrated
priest, and the highly distinguished and learned
Coreun. These six persons having met at
Constantinople, joined heart and hand in
furtherance of the great object of their mission,
and forthwith commenced their labour.
were employed in
They
this M^ork of translating for
a period of seven years.
They were afforded considerable assistance by
Maximianus, the Patriarch of Constantinople,
at the request of St. Mesrop. They found in
the imperial library an exact copy of the Old
Testament, according to
the Septuagint, and a
correct one of the New Testament in the Greek
language. These they brought into Armenia,
where St. Isaac, assisted by St. Mesrop,
commenced translating them anew. And as
a. D.411.