THE LIFE OF MASHTOTS

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And while he thus revived the religious fervor of those who were near him, and sent many messages of advice and exhortation to all the provinces, the same year, six months after the death of blessed Sahak, the Armenian Army being located, along with the saintly master, in the Nor Kaghak in Airarat, with the same godly life he reached the saintly end of those who have been summoned by Christ. And after an illness of a few days, on the 13th day of the month of Mehekan, as he was about to become separated from his beloved pupils to join Christ's legion, freed from his pains and regaining consciousness, he arose and sat in the midst of those around him, and with hands upraised to heaven, he surrendered to God's grace those who remained, and asked assistance of them.

And the names of the principal disciples who had gathered [there] are, first, Hovsep, whom we have mentioned at the beginning; second, Tadik, a temperate man, most heedful to the directions of the master. Among the military, the name of the first one, Vahan, of the Amatouni clan, who was the commander in chief of Armenia Major, and that of the second, Hmayak, of the Mamikonian clan, excellent and pious men, heedful to the master's instructions.

And as the hands of the saint were upraised to heaven, there was seen a luminous vision resembling a cross over the mansion where the blessed one was dying. This was seen by everyone with his own eyes, and was not related by acquaintances. And he passed on to the saints love and unity as a legacy, blessed them that were far and near, and went to his rest, offering prayers pleasing to Christ.

Vahan and Hmayak, along with the populace, lifted the deceased, having made all arrangements, with psalms and doxologies and spiritual joy, with burning handles and flaming torches, sweet-smelling incense, and brilliant candlesticks, preceded by luminous crucifixes, went up to Oshakan and laid him there in the place of the Martyrs and performed the funeral rites. Then the vision disappeared, and they all returned to their places.

However, three years later Vahan Amatouni was able to build, with Christ-loving zeal, a marvelous church with finely hewn, sculptured stones, and inside the church built the Saint's tomb. For the altar of the life-giving body and blood of Christ, he prepared graceful vessels of varied colors, decorated with shining gold, silver, and precious stones. And together with the assembled monks, he transferred the body of Mashtots, the witness for Christ's religion of the cross, to the sarcophagus in the church. And for the glory of God they appointed one of his pupils named Tadik, a temperate and pious man, along with brethren, as servants of the Saint who had attained the state of bliss.