The Catholicoses of Armenia played a great role in the creation and development of Armenian manuscripts and printed books, being patrons, recipients and many of them even scribes. Therefore, for a comprehensive assessment of their work, as well as for the study of the history of the Armenian book, it is important to present this area of their activity. In this regard, the activity of Catholicos Grigor II Vkayaser (the Martyrophile, 1066-1105) is noteworthy as he played a great role in translation of hagiographic literature.

KeywordsArmenian manuscript Catholicos the manuscript heritage of Catholicoses Grigor II Vkayaser colophon Armenian literature catalogue of manuscripts.

The comparative analysis of the manuscript sources allows us to outline the general path of development of manuscript number 3917 kept in the Matenadaran after M. Mashtots; it contains the “Interpretation of Grammar” by Grigor Magistros (990–1058) and presents the scientific and educational environment in which this grammatical work was spread. As a result of the research, it becomes clear, that the “Interpretation” by Magistros was used in Tatev and Sarkavagants Monasteries. In the 15th century, when the interpretations of Hovhannes Yerznkatsi, Hovhannes Tsortsoretsi, and Vardan Areveltsi were created, Grigor Tatevatsi handed over the original of the “Grammar” by Magistros to his student Archimandrite Hovhannes Karmir from Kapan to circulate in the Sarkavagants Monastery.

KeywordsGrigor Magistros “Interpretation of Grammar” manuscript colophon Grigor Tatevatsi Archimandrite Hovhannes Tatev Monastery Deacon Monastery library writing center.

According to historiographer Stepanos Orbelyan, a fortification was erected around Tatev Monastery at the beginning of the 10th century on the initiative of the spiritual leader of Syunik, Bishop Hovhannes (1006–1058). In the first and second halves of the 11th century, on the initiative of Bishops Hovhannes and Gregory (1058–1116), arched gates with apses and churches were built over the western and eastern entrances adjacent to the fortification. The western entrance with its apses of St. Karapet did not reach us, but in the 1980s, the eastern entrance near the northern fortification was restored together with the one-nave and over the gate churches of Holy Mother of God (built in 1087).

KeywordsTatev Monastery Stepanos Orbelyan old and new entrances of the fortification construction of the spring archaeological excavations epigraphic inscription manuscript mention.

The love song with the beginning of “Hogi zalm nazlu...”, preserved in the No 979 manuscript of the Matenadaran of the Vienna Mechitarist Congregation, belongs to Hovhannes Tlkurantsi, not only by the mentioning of Khev Hovhannes, but also for its poetic spirit close to Tlkurantsi’s poesy and for the religious exalted epilogues. Khev Hovhannes Tlkurantsi’s creation, to be published for the first time, is still in the form of a manuscript and may be considered a newly discovered love song.

Keywordstlkurantsiology No 979 manuscript in the Matenadaran of the Vienna Mechitarist Congregation an unpublished love song.

Ethnobotanical studies carried out in the Syunik region provide valuable information on species of medicinal plants, purposes and methods of their use, as well as folk traditions in the field of exploitation of natural resources. There are also data on some of the currently used medicinal plants (mint, everlasting, nettle, wild garlic, caraway, plantain, bryony, etc.) in medieval works, where options and methods of treating various diseases with these medicinal plants are discussed and interpreted.

KeywordsSyunik medicinal plants phytotherapy folk medicine Middle Ages medical books manuscripts beliefs ethnobotany.