The Syriac Life of *Marutha of Maypherqat (bishop of Martyropolis/Maypherqat, ob. c. 420, S01683), is written, probably in Maypherqat during the 6th c.; it describes the life and virtues of the bishop, with accounts of his diplomatic missions to Persia and his gathering there of relics of Persian martyrs, which he transfers to Martyropolis. The Life survives only partially in Syriac, but in full in an early Armenian translation. Overview entry
E05851
Literary - Hagiographical - Other saint-related texts
Life of *Marutha of bishop of Maypherqat/Martyropolis
Summary (based on the Armenian version, which survives in full):
The narrative opens with a brief introduction by the author, who promises to provide his audience with 'spiritual admonition' and 'divine miracles'. (p. 55 in Marcus's translation)
A detailed account of Marutha's family history follows. He is said to have been a grandson of a Christian couple, Miriam and Marutha, members of the nobility in the region of Armenia. His birth has a miraculous aspect, as it happens as a result of the prayer of his grandmother Miriam at the shrine of the Maccabean Martyrs in Antioch [see E05883]. (pp. 55-57)
When Marutha reaches the age of five, his education is entrusted to the priest Marmara. At the age of thirty-three he is appointed a deacon and, after that, a priest at the church built by his grandmother, apparently, in the city of Maypherqat. After the death of his grandmother, Marutha gets appointed a bishop. He is portrayed as an exemplary shepherd, who builds churches, supports monasteries, teaches the true faith and combats heresies, while leading an ascetic way of life. The author also refers to many 'wonders and miracles which the Lord manifested through him in all the land'. (pp. 57-60)
In the year 'three hundred and fourth of the Greeks', the emperor Theodosius sends Marutha on a diplomatic mission to Persia. When he meets king Yazdegerd, the bishop brokers peace between the two empires, and intercedes successfully on behalf of the persecuted Christians of Persia, persuading Yazdegerd to stop their persecution. Marutha also performs a miracle by healing the king's son, who was possessed by a demon. (pp. 60-63)
After his return to Roman territory, Marutha is received by the emperor. The bishop asks him to fortify the city of Sophene and to build there a church, so that 'a certain number of all saints might be brought together; and that it should be named the city of Martyrs'. Theodosius complies and provides Marutha with money and a skilled workforce. (pp. 63-64)
As the building project begins, the emperor sends Marutha on a second diplomatic mission to Persia, to carry his reply to Yezdegerd. During this visit, the bishop performs another healing miracle, healing the king's headaches that no physician had been able to cure. He also helps Yazdegerd by exposing two plots, organised by the dissatisfied Magians, one against his own person, and another against the king himself. Impressed, the king 'believed in true God', but 'was afraid to reveal his belief to his nobles, lest the Persians rise against him and kill him and take away his kingship'. As a sign of his gratitude, Yazdegerd allows Marutha to gather remains of the Christian martyrs, who died in Persia, and transfer them to Maypherqat [see E05884]. (pp. 64-68)
A brief note, added by the Armenian priest Gagig, relates that he, together with his deacon Grigor, was responsible for the translation into Armenian of the Syriac 'Passions' of the martyrs, whose relics were brought by Marutha. Apparently, Gagig and Grigor have produced the Armenian version of Marutha's own life as well. (p. 68)
Having reported that Marutha died in the city of Maypherqat in the month of June, the author concludes his narrative with an account of the siege of Maypherqat by the army of king Kavadh, grandson of Yazdegerd. The citizens of Maypherqat manage to save their city from destruction by offering Kawad the golden cup, which was given to Marutha as a gift by Yazdegerd. When the king recognises the name of his grandfather inscribed on the cup, he withdraws his troops. The city's deliverance is ascribed to 'the intercession of the saints who were gathered there, and of the blessed Marutha' (pp. 69-70)
Summary: S. Minov
Towns, villages, districts and fortresses
Non Liturgical ActivityComposing and translating saint-related texts
MiraclesMiracle during lifetime
Miracle after death
Exorcism
Healing diseases and disabilities
Miraculous protection - of communities, towns, armies
Protagonists in Cult and NarrativesEcclesiastics - bishops
Foreigners (including Barbarians)
Monarchs and their family
Pagans
Source
The Life of Marutha of Maypherqat is an account of the life of Marutha, a bishop who was active in the regions of Mount Izla and Arzanene in northern Mesopotamia during the late 6th and early 7th century. While it is difficult to establish the work's date with certainty, the middle or second half of the 7th century seem to be a likely time of its composition. A secure terminus post quem for the version of the story that survives in Armenian (and which is summarised above) is provided by the story of how Maypherqat/Martyropolis was spared during a siege by Kavadh, an event which can be dated to 531.The complete Syriac text of the Life does not survive. It is preserved only partially, as an extended excerpt, found in a single manuscript, Mingana Syr. 502, dated AD 1835. This textual witness has been published by Brock 1978. According to Brock (p. 96), this excerpt comes from a complete version of the Life, perhaps identical to the one transmitted in the now lost manuscript Seert 61 (16th c.).
Syriac text (fragment), together with an English translation: Brock 1978; Armenian version: Vark‘ ew vkayabanut‘iwnk‘ srboc‘, v. 2, pp. 17-32; English translation of the Armenian text: Marcus 1932; Greek version: Noret 1973.
Bibliography
Main editions and translations:Brock, S.P., “A Fragment from a Syriac Life of Marutha of Martyropolis,” Analecta Bollandiana 128:2 (2010), 306-311.
Marcus, R., “The Armenian Life of Marutha of Maipherkat,” Harvard Theological Review 25:1 (1932), 47-71.
Noret, J., “La vie grecque ancienne de S. Marūtā de Mayferqaṭ,” Analecta Bollandiana 91 (1973), 77-103.
Vark‘ ew vkayabanut‘iwnk‘ srboc‘: hatendir k‘alealk‘ carentrac‘. 2 vols (Venetik: Tparani Mxit‘areanc‘, 1874).
Further reading:
Calzolari, V., “Figures de l’hagiographie syriaque dans la tradition arménienne ancienne (Šałita, Jacques de Nisibe, Maruta de Mayperqaṭ),” in: A. Binggeli (ed.), L’hagiographie syriaque (Études syriaques 9; Paris: Paul Geuthner, 2012), 141-170.
Sanspeur, C.L., “La préhistoire de la plus ancienne vie grecque de S. Marouthas,” Orientalia Lovaniensia Periodica 9 (1978), 159-165.
Sergey Minov
22/06/2018
| ID | Name | Name in Source | Identity | S01683 | Marutha, bishop of Martyropolis/Maipherqat, ob. c. 420 | Certain |
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