The Armenian Life of Marutha of Maipherkat

This work retells the life of the Bishop Marutha of Maipherkat, or Martyropolis, as translated from the Armenian text. Bishop Marutha was twice envoy from the East Roman Empire to Yezdegerd I of Persia, and his theological work is preserved in the Church of the East. His work includes a written history of the Persian martyrs, and tradition ascribes the name of his city to the number of relics he brought back. In addition to the original Armenian text, also referenced are a useful selection of other writings about him in Greek, Syriac, and Arabic. This compilation contains many details of Bishop Marutha's missions not recorded elsewhere, and his life illuminates our understanding of Christianity in the early fifth century.