Feast of the Holy Translators

This October feast honors the lives and accomplishments of the saints who founded the Armenian alphabet, translated the Bible into Armenian, and started a movement of writing and translating important works into Armenian.  This 5th century and beyond period is called Armenian's "Golden Age."

At the apex of this group of Holy Translators is St. Mesrob.  Students of Sts. Mesrob and Sahag include Yeghishe, who served St. Vartan as secretary and wrote a history of the Battle of Vartanantz.  He also wrote many biblical commentaries.  Another important student was Movses of Khoren also known as the father of Armenian history.  He wrote a number of histories and poems.  A student of Movses was Tavit the Invincible, renowned for his genius in philosophy.  He translated works of Plato and Aristotle. The 10th and 12th century giants, St. Gregory of Narek and St. Nersess Shnorhali are also counted among this group of holy men.