THE LIFE OF MASHTOTS

I had been thinking of the God-given alphabet of the Azkanazian nation and of the land of Armenia-when, in what time, and through what kind of man that new divine gift had been bestowed, as well as the luminous learning and angelic, virtuous piety of that person, so as to cause memorials to blossom in an individual volume. And while I was striving to remember [the facts], there came the command of an excellent man named Hovsep, a disciple of that person, as well as the encouragement of others, our fellows of student days. Therefore, I, who had had the fortune of being [his] special pupil, even though the youngest [among his pupils] and the task beyond my capacities, [nevertheless] hastened to write without delay that which was suggested, compelled by the clear roan-date which had been addressed to me. And we ask them all that they assist us in our tasks by their prayers, and to commit us to the divine grace, so that we may sail successfully and unerringly over the boundless waves of the sea of doctrine.