March 08, 2006
Brief notes on classical Armenian literature 2
We got letters!
This particular correspondence was first recorded in Eusebius, but Moses Khorenats'i gave it his own special spin. Backstory: King Abgar of Edessa has been "wracked by fearful pains that he had contracted in Persia seven years before." (Dare we speculate? It would be irresponsible not to.) He hears about a new curandero down south, and writes him a letter:
31. Abgar's letter to the Savior
"Abgar, son of Arsham, prince of the land, to Jesus, Savior and benefactor, who was revealed in the land of Jerusalem, greeting.""I have heard about you and about the healing that was accomplished through you without medicine or drugs. For, as is said, you cause the blind to see and the lame to walk, you cast out evil spirits, and you cure whoever has been afflicted by long illnesses; you even raise the dead. And when I heard all this about you I decided one of two things: either you are God who have descended from heaven and work these things, or you are the son of God and do them. So therefore [either way! -- CY] I have written to you to ask you to take the trouble and come to me and heal this affliction of mine."
"I have also heard that the Jews murmur against you and wish to harm you. But I have a small and pleasant city, and it is sufficient for us both."
"Sincerely Yours, Abgar"
32. The reply to Abgar's letter
"Blessed is he who believes in me without having seen me. For thus it is written concerning me: 'Those who see me will not believe in me, and those who do not see me will believe and live.'""Now, as for your writing to me that I should come to you, I must fulfill here everything for which I was sent. And when I have completed this, then I shall ascend to Him who sent me. When I have ascended I shall send one of my disciples to cure your pains and grant life to you and those with you."
"Enclosed is a recent picture. Peace, Jesus."Anan, Abgar's messenger brought his letter with the Savior's portrait from life, which has remained in the city of Edessa up to the present day.
I should note that there was little stigma attached to Jewish ancestry in that era's Armenia. Rather the opposite. Moses Khorenats'i spends some time linking the leading Bagratuni family of Armenia to otherwise unattested Jewish leaders captured by Nebuchadnezzar, and means this in a good way.
Of course, that's not the oddest genealogical link MKh comes up with. More later.
Posted by coyu at March 8, 2006 04:32 AM