Papers by Anna Ohanjanyan
Bulletin of Matenadaran, 2022
The current article presents and contextualizes new evidence to correct the record about the au... more The current article presents and contextualizes new evidence to correct the record about the author of the Key of Truth Yovhannēs from Mush and to reveal the author's motives behind the book content explaining its overall anti-clerical, anti-Papist rhetorics. It further discusses several early modern sources infiltrated into the Key of Truth to show the author's close acquaintance with the Catholic literature written or translated into Armenian and published in Constantinople. Finally, it analyzes two doctrinal passages to prove that the Key of Truth could hardly be written before the eighteenth century, as well as to display the author's twisted confessional identity reflected in the book where next to strong Antitrinitarian Christology, he accepts the Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation and quotes from the ritual books of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
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Tijana Krstić and Derin Terzioğlu (eds), Entangled Confessionalizations? Dialogic Perspectives on the Politics of Piety and Community Building in the Ottoman Empire, 15th-18th Centuries, pp. 489-519, Gorgias Press, 2022
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Entangled Religions , 2022
The reconstruction of Armenian-Jewish relations in the seventeenth to eighteenth centuries is not... more The reconstruction of Armenian-Jewish relations in the seventeenth to eighteenth centuries is not an easy task due to the scarcity of historical material. Both peoples underwent resettlement, segregation, coercive conversions under Muslim rule (fighting the side-effects of religious policies for social disciplining), political agendas, the influx of Catholic missionaries, and interstate wars throughout the Safavid to Qajar periods. The current article attempts to revisit the perceptions about Jews and Armenians within interconfessional debates by examining the early modern polemical literature from the Iranian Armenian context and by employing textual material from the Ottoman Armenian milieu that complements the Iranian case. It further aims to reveal the specifics of the Armenian-Jewish connections in the Persianate Muslim environment and detect the reasons for the ambiguous silence in the Armenian literature from the period in question.
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NewEurope College Yearbook 2018-2019, 2021
The Armenian polemical literature from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries proliferated in r... more The Armenian polemical literature from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries proliferated in relation to the surge of confessional consciousness within the Armenian communities under the Ottoman and Safavid rule. Early Modern inter- and cross-confessional debates on the orthodoxy shaped the broad context in which polemics with the Muslims have to be placed. The scarcity of anti-Islamic texts in the Armenian manuscript heritage compared to the abundant extant anti-Catholic polemical material has laid grounds for the assumption that Armenians were not interested in the religion of the rulers in the confessional age regardless of the fact, that the heuristic potential of the age enhanced the necessity of learning through questioning and answering. Drawing upon manuscript material this paper analyzes broader socio-historical context the polemics with the Muslims transpired within. It examines the switch in debated topics, argumentations, vocabulary and language to reveal the dialogic and heuristic aspects of Armenian polemics with Muslims in the age of confessions.
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JSAS, 2011
An attempt to deconstruct the theory put forward by F. C. Conybear according to which the book ti... more An attempt to deconstruct the theory put forward by F. C. Conybear according to which the book titled "Key of Truth" was the manual of the Paulician and T'ondrakite churches.
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JSAS, 2020
In the late seventeenth century along the lines of European confession-building and Ottoman sunni... more In the late seventeenth century along the lines of European confession-building and Ottoman sunnitization, the Armenian Apostolic Church initiated the reshaping of its orthodoxy in the face of growing Tridentine Catholicism. Through the contextualiza-tion of the polemical writing attributed to the famed Constantinopolitan Armenian erudite Eremia Čʻēlēpi Kʻēōmiwrčean, this article discusses the ways of detecting "bad innovations" in the doctrine and practice of Armenian communities in the Ottoman realms, and the doctrinal instruments used for enforcing "pure faith" towards social disciplining of the Apostolic Armenians.
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Banber Matenadarani, 2017
The Tonapatchar collection contains commentaries on church feasts
and was designed mainly for did... more The Tonapatchar collection contains commentaries on church feasts
and was designed mainly for didactical and polemical purposes. Several
recensions of this collection (up until the late 13th century) are known to
scholars. The most significant and influential recensions are by Vardan
Hałbatecʻi (d. ca. 1193/95) and Vardan Arewelcʻi (ca. 1200-1271),
renowned theologians of the Hałbat school. Both authors wrote a number
of commentaries specifically to be included in the Tonapatchar
collection. Most of them, however, to this day remain anonymous. The
commentaries on Gregory Nazianzen‟s First (1) and Second (45) Paschal
Orations are anonymous. The current paper focuses on two different
versions of commentaries on Gregory Nazianzen‟s Second Paschal
Oration (45) found in Vardan Hałbatecʻi‟s (MS M2021) and Vardan
Arewelcʻi‟s (MS M4139) recensions of Tonapatchar. Some textual hints
along with exegetical peculiarities in the given micro-historical context
support the hypothesis that the authors are Vardan Hałbatecʻi‟ and
Vardan Arewelcʻi‟. Several copies of Vardan Hałbatecʻi‟s version have
survived, and it was included in Tonapatchar‟s later recensions, while
Vardan Arewelcʻi‟s commentary can only be found in the manuscript
M4139.
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Armenian Christianity Today: Identity Politics and Popular Practice, A. Agadjanian (ed.), Ashgate Publishing, 2014
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Presentation, November 28, 2013, CEMS, CEU, Budapest
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A PRESENTATION MADE ON NOVEMBER 13, 2013 AT INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED STUDIES, CENTRAL EUROPEAN UNIV... more A PRESENTATION MADE ON NOVEMBER 13, 2013 AT INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED STUDIES, CENTRAL EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY
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The article displays the edition of collections Tonapatchar (Commentaries on Lectionaries or The ... more The article displays the edition of collections Tonapatchar (Commentaries on Lectionaries or The Reasons of Feast days) authored by Vardan of Haghpat as well as the later editions based on his edition and attributed to Vardan Areveltsi and Hovhannes of Gandzak. Unlike previous editions of Tonapatchars composed by Zakharia Dzagetsi, Aristakes of Lastiver and Samuel of Kamrjadzor, the new edition of Vardan of Haghpat proved to have emphasized polemical character fo the collection. This was due to the historical and political conditions of the time as well as to the confessional position and concerns of Vardan of Haghpat. The article focuses on several units in Tonapatchar editions of Vardan of Hagpat, Vardan Areveltsi and Hovhannes of Gandzak, starting from the reasons of feasts of David and James (25 of December) and ending with the Reason of Candlemas (14 of February). It investigates the sources used by the authors as well as shows the linkage to the Universal Church fathers, also local theologians’ and teachers’ writings.
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The article focuses on the issues retated to the author of the anonymous Commentary on Gregory of... more The article focuses on the issues retated to the author of the anonymous Commentary on Gregory of Nazianzus’ Oration “On the Epiphany”. In some manuscripts the mentioned Commentary is attributed to Elias the Siryan.
On the textual basis of Tonapatchar (Commentaries on Lectionaries or the Reasons of Feast days) it is proved that the author of this anonymous Commentary is Vardan of Haghpat, who wrote it by the command of catholicos Nerses the Graceful. Vardan of Haghpat took part in the diplomatic dialogue between Armenian clerical delegacy with Nerses the Graceful in charge and Byzantine philosopher Theorianus in 1169 - 1170. Soon after this meeting Vardan of Haghpat translated all the commentaries on Gregory of Naziznzus’ orations by Elias the Syrian as well as translated and edited patchars (the accounts on reasons and circumstances under which certain literal works are composed) attributed to the same author. In the article the date of writing of the new edition of Tonapatchar authored by Vardan of Haghpat is clarified and fixed. It is proven that Vardan composed his edition between September of 1170 and August of 1173. He included an enlarged fragment of his Commentary on the Oration “On the Epiphany” by Gregory of Nazianzus in his new edition of Tonapatchar as a separate unit.
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Current article is dedicated to the “Commentary on the Fast of Catechumens” from the collection e... more Current article is dedicated to the “Commentary on the Fast of Catechumens” from the collection entitled “Commentaries on the Lectionary” (literally “Tonapatchar” Տաւնապատճառ) representing a unique phenomenon in the Armenian Medieval theological/ecclesiastical literature.The article demonstrates that the author of the “Commentary on the Fast of Catechumens” is Samuel Kamrjadzoretsi, inspite of a long held belief that authorship of the text belongs to Hovhannes Vanakan known as Vanakan Vardapet (13th c. A.D.).
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The article deals with a hypothesis developed by the British researcher F. C. Conybeare claiming ... more The article deals with a hypothesis developed by the British researcher F. C. Conybeare claiming existence of a new source about the Paulician doctrine, previously overlooked by scholars. F.C. Conybeare refers to a Chalcedonic polemical pamphlet entitled “Accusatory word against Armenians” ascribed to so called “Catholicos Isahak”. The article discusses authorship and date of “Isahak's” pamphlet using previous research on another pamphlet by the same author, “Narratio de Rebus Armenia”. Also, it reveals impact on polemical treatises of the later period, such as anti-monophysite works of Ephtimios Zigaben and Nicetas Choniates.
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Books by Anna Ohanjanyan
Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin, 2017
Editio Princeps of Festal Homiliary (Vardan Haghpatetsi's, Vardan Arevetsi's and Hovhannes Gandza... more Editio Princeps of Festal Homiliary (Vardan Haghpatetsi's, Vardan Arevetsi's and Hovhannes Gandzaketi's recensions), Part I
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In the book the content of the manuscript "Key of Truth" (M6710) is analysed within the confessi... more In the book the content of the manuscript "Key of Truth" (M6710) is analysed within the confessional mosaic of 18-19 cc. The author argues that the "Key of Truth" belonged to a syncretic (Apostolic-Protestant) local micro-church and it had no connections to the Paulician and Tondrakite "heresies" as most of the scholars of the field attempted to prove during last two centuries.
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Drafts by Anna Ohanjanyan
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Papers by Anna Ohanjanyan
and was designed mainly for didactical and polemical purposes. Several
recensions of this collection (up until the late 13th century) are known to
scholars. The most significant and influential recensions are by Vardan
Hałbatecʻi (d. ca. 1193/95) and Vardan Arewelcʻi (ca. 1200-1271),
renowned theologians of the Hałbat school. Both authors wrote a number
of commentaries specifically to be included in the Tonapatchar
collection. Most of them, however, to this day remain anonymous. The
commentaries on Gregory Nazianzen‟s First (1) and Second (45) Paschal
Orations are anonymous. The current paper focuses on two different
versions of commentaries on Gregory Nazianzen‟s Second Paschal
Oration (45) found in Vardan Hałbatecʻi‟s (MS M2021) and Vardan
Arewelcʻi‟s (MS M4139) recensions of Tonapatchar. Some textual hints
along with exegetical peculiarities in the given micro-historical context
support the hypothesis that the authors are Vardan Hałbatecʻi‟ and
Vardan Arewelcʻi‟. Several copies of Vardan Hałbatecʻi‟s version have
survived, and it was included in Tonapatchar‟s later recensions, while
Vardan Arewelcʻi‟s commentary can only be found in the manuscript
M4139.
On the textual basis of Tonapatchar (Commentaries on Lectionaries or the Reasons of Feast days) it is proved that the author of this anonymous Commentary is Vardan of Haghpat, who wrote it by the command of catholicos Nerses the Graceful. Vardan of Haghpat took part in the diplomatic dialogue between Armenian clerical delegacy with Nerses the Graceful in charge and Byzantine philosopher Theorianus in 1169 - 1170. Soon after this meeting Vardan of Haghpat translated all the commentaries on Gregory of Naziznzus’ orations by Elias the Syrian as well as translated and edited patchars (the accounts on reasons and circumstances under which certain literal works are composed) attributed to the same author. In the article the date of writing of the new edition of Tonapatchar authored by Vardan of Haghpat is clarified and fixed. It is proven that Vardan composed his edition between September of 1170 and August of 1173. He included an enlarged fragment of his Commentary on the Oration “On the Epiphany” by Gregory of Nazianzus in his new edition of Tonapatchar as a separate unit.
Books by Anna Ohanjanyan
Drafts by Anna Ohanjanyan
and was designed mainly for didactical and polemical purposes. Several
recensions of this collection (up until the late 13th century) are known to
scholars. The most significant and influential recensions are by Vardan
Hałbatecʻi (d. ca. 1193/95) and Vardan Arewelcʻi (ca. 1200-1271),
renowned theologians of the Hałbat school. Both authors wrote a number
of commentaries specifically to be included in the Tonapatchar
collection. Most of them, however, to this day remain anonymous. The
commentaries on Gregory Nazianzen‟s First (1) and Second (45) Paschal
Orations are anonymous. The current paper focuses on two different
versions of commentaries on Gregory Nazianzen‟s Second Paschal
Oration (45) found in Vardan Hałbatecʻi‟s (MS M2021) and Vardan
Arewelcʻi‟s (MS M4139) recensions of Tonapatchar. Some textual hints
along with exegetical peculiarities in the given micro-historical context
support the hypothesis that the authors are Vardan Hałbatecʻi‟ and
Vardan Arewelcʻi‟. Several copies of Vardan Hałbatecʻi‟s version have
survived, and it was included in Tonapatchar‟s later recensions, while
Vardan Arewelcʻi‟s commentary can only be found in the manuscript
M4139.
On the textual basis of Tonapatchar (Commentaries on Lectionaries or the Reasons of Feast days) it is proved that the author of this anonymous Commentary is Vardan of Haghpat, who wrote it by the command of catholicos Nerses the Graceful. Vardan of Haghpat took part in the diplomatic dialogue between Armenian clerical delegacy with Nerses the Graceful in charge and Byzantine philosopher Theorianus in 1169 - 1170. Soon after this meeting Vardan of Haghpat translated all the commentaries on Gregory of Naziznzus’ orations by Elias the Syrian as well as translated and edited patchars (the accounts on reasons and circumstances under which certain literal works are composed) attributed to the same author. In the article the date of writing of the new edition of Tonapatchar authored by Vardan of Haghpat is clarified and fixed. It is proven that Vardan composed his edition between September of 1170 and August of 1173. He included an enlarged fragment of his Commentary on the Oration “On the Epiphany” by Gregory of Nazianzus in his new edition of Tonapatchar as a separate unit.
communities expanded from Europe to the shores of the Indian subcontinent, significantly contributing to the extensive circulation of
books. Notably, not only the Armenian church and the merchant class actively sought to wield power and influence, but also external institutions and communities actively participated in the creation and distribution of handwritten and printed books. Concurrent with the advancement of Armenian book printing, the cultural, religious, social, and political identities, and conflicts specific to this transitional period found expression through book production, market dynamics, reading practices, and various associated relationships. In this regard, the inquiry into "What did Armenians read in the 16th-18th centuries?" assumes considerable significance. Consequently, the workshop aims to convene researchers interested in exploring the cultural and historical dimensions of books and texts within this context.
Workshop Focus Areas:
✓ Historical, religious, and confessional contexts and intercommunal ties
✓ Decision-making practices on book creation and realization
✓ The book production
✓ The book market and booksellers
✓ The book collection practices
✓ The travel notes, merchant diaries, and correspondence
✓ Illustration and iconography
✓ Parallel cultural practices (side studies)