Gregory II, of Armenia

Gregory II, Of Armenia (surnamed Vqaiaser or Martyrophilus), a patriarch of Armenia, the son of Gregory Magisdros, died in 1105, at Garmir-Vankh, near Khesun. He was educated under the direction of his father, and made great progress both in science and languages. He inherited, in 1058, the government of the duchy of Mesopotamia. But neither that dignity, nor the favor which he enjoyed at the court of Constantinople could make him attached to a secular life. He separated himself from his wife, sold all his goods, distributing the money among the unfortunate, and consecrated himself to the monastic life. Gregory is less remarkable as an administrator than as a protector of letters. He gathered about him Greek and Syrian scholars, whom he charged with translating a large number of works, written in their own languages. These versions were revised by Armenian scholars, who improved their style. The patriarch himself put his hand upon a translation of a martyrology. See Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.