Komitas Aghtsetsi

Komitas I Aghtsetsi , also known as Komitas the Builder , was the Catholicos of Armenia from 613 until his death in 628. He oversaw several building projects, among which were the complete renovation of Etchmiadzin Cathedral; the construction of Saint Hripsime Church; and the building of the Church of Saint Gregory in Dvin. He is also remembered for his hymn writing and his participation in the theological debates of the time.

Biography Komitas was born in the village of Aghtsk in Sasanian-ruled Armenia. Before becoming Catholicos, he served as the bishop of Taron. In 612/613 (or 615/616 according to another dating), he participated in the council assembled by the Sasanian king Khosrow II to discuss the catholicosate of the Church of the East. There he presented the statement of faith of the Armenian Church, which condemned the Council of Chalcedon and Nestorianism. He returned to Armenia from the council as Catholicos. Komitas was a vociferous participant in doctrinal disputes. He participated in the compilation of the Knik havato ( 'Seal of faith'), a collection of excerpts from the works of Armenian and non-Armenian church fathers in defense of the position of the Armenian Church; it was modeled on Timothy II of Alexandria's work Against the Council of Chalcedon.

Catholicos Komitas oversaw several building projects, among which were the complete renovation of Etchmiadzin Cathedral; the construction of Saint Hripsime Church on the site of an existing shrine; and the building of the Church of Saint Gregory in Dvin.

A poet and musician, Komitas I contributed to the hymnography of the Armenian Church. His most famous work is the sharakan (hymn) dedicated to the martyr Hripsime and her companions, known by its incipit "Andzink nvirealk siroyn Kristosi" (Souls devoted to the love of Christ). This hymn was composed on the occasion of the consecration of Saint Hripsime Church.

Works . Reprinted under the title , Lisbon, 1974. . English translation: (reprinted in ).