Page:The History of Armenia - Avdall - Volume 1.djvu/418

 Beibre he expired » however, he wrote with his t>wn hand a supplicatory letter to the Saracen general, praying him to spare the Armenians. He directed his deacon, that when he heard his last sigh, he should put this letter in his right hand. When Mohmat heard of the death of the holy pontiff, he sent directions that his remains should not be interred until he had seen them. " For," said he, " if Isaac were alive he would come to me; and since he is dead, I will go to him!'' He then repaired to the place where the pontiff lay. On his arrival he approached the body of the deceased and saluted it with words and gestures as if it were alive. The body of the pontiff then, wonderful to relate, returned the salutation, and stretching forward its right hand, offered to the astonished Saracen the letter which it held. Mohmat became exceedingly terrified at this miracle, yet took the letter, and after reading its contents, exclaimed, "Yes, thoa man of God, thy desires shall be fulfilled!" He then wrote a letter of peace and reconciliation to the Armenian chiefs, and caused the remains of the pontiff to be taken to that country by a body of Saracen troops, commanded by one Cashm. He then returned to Dama^^cus, and prevailed upon the Caliph to release all the Armenian prisoners who had been taken during; former wars. St. Isaac was in the pontificate,

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