Page 32 - THE ARMENIAN CHURCH_Neat

Long History in Brief 33

that time, the Armenians did not yet have
their own written language. In the Persian
part of Armenia, the Armenians were do-
minated by the Syriac language and culture,
and in the Byzantine part they were do-
minated by the Greek language and culture.
This situation led St. Mesrob irresistibly to
the invention of an Armenian alphabet,
which was crucial to maintaining the Ar-
menian identity and ensuring the unity of
the nation. Crucially, the Christianization
of Armenia led to the Armenianization of
Christianity. This critical process of consoli-
dation, enculturation, and indigenization of
the Christian faith started with the creation of
the Armenian alphabet, which laid the firm
foundation of a distinct Armenian culture
and identity.
St. Mesrob and St. Sahak played a decisive
role in the invention of the Armenian alpha-
bet. Mesrob Mashdots (355-439) was born in
the village of Hatsegats. After completing
his formal education in Armenia, he studied
in Antioch, where he learned Greek, Syriac,
and Persian. Upon his return, he worked as
a secretary in the royal court and in 394
he was ordained a priest. While performing
his pastoral mission as a priest, he came
to realize the urgent need of a written lan-
guage. With the strong support of King
Vramshabuh and Catholicos Sahak, St. Mes-
rob traveled to Edessa and other cities of