Page:The History of Armenia - Avdall - Volume 1.djvu/434

 were at length found so burthensome that 12,000 souls went into voluntary exile, seeking refuge in Greece, where the emperor kindly allotted them a place of residence in a fine open country* Isaiah the pontiff fell a victim to grief, caused by contemplating the misery to which his country was reduced: he died in the thirteenth year of his pontificate. Stephen Dira- Hikin^ nerez of Duin, succeeded him, and died two •"2^' years after his predecessor. Joab or Job, from the city of Ostan, then became pontiff, and only enjoyed his dignity for the short period of six months. His successor was the aged Solomon, H«Sir** from the province of Gelarcunies. This pontiff *~ ^*®" had been educated in the convent of Makenoses, where, by intense study, he acquired a variety and perfection of knowledge unequalled by any of his contemporaries. He subsequently dwelt in a small cottage, free from all intercourse with man, and by his rigid mode of life became greatly celebrated throughout the country. He quitted this lonely residence on his elevation to the pontificate. At the ceremony of placing bim in the pontifical chair several of the chiefs, obs^ving the state of debility to which age and bodily mortifications had reduced him, asked him, how he intended to govern the church ? He replied, '* I shall direct my portrait y} be placed by the side of those of the pre^

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