Elisæus of Albania
Saint Elisæus or Yegishe was the first patriarch of the Church of Caucasian Albania by local tradition.
Elisæus of Albania Saint Yegishe | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Catholicos of Church of Caucasian Albania | |
| Born | c.1st century AD |
| Died | 74 or 79 AD Gelmets , Rutulsky District, Dagestan |
| Venerated in | Church of Caucasian Albania |
| Feast | July 20 |
| Patronage | Azerbaijan |
St. Elisæus Catholicos of Albania | |
|---|---|
| Church | Church of Caucasian Albania |
| Term ended | 74 or 79 |
| Successor | Saint Grigoris of Albania |
| Personal details | |
| Died | 74 or 79 |
| Denomination | Christianity |
Life
He was one of five disciples of St. Thaddeus (or, of Thaddeus of Edessa, who may have been the same person). He returned to Jerusalem after the martyrdom of Thaddeus, and was appointed as head of the church by James the Just.[1] He began his preaching in Chola and then passed to Utik and Kish according to Armenian historian Movses Kaghankatvatsi, but this route is debated by some researchers as passing such a long way with opposing directions wouldn't be comfortable.[2] An alternative route would be via Utik, Kish, Chola, Akhty, Zrykh, Mukhrek and Gelmets.[3] He was martyred by local pagans in the village of Kolmank, which is located in modern Gelmets village of Dagestan. His relics were discovered by local Christians and a pillar was erected by Vachagan III on the site, with the relics later buried in Yeghishe Arakyal Monastery.
Churches
Several churches named after Elisæus:
- Church of Saint Elisæus (Nij)
- Church of Kish
- Church of Saint Elisæus (Oghuz)
- Yeghishe Arakyal Monastery
References
- Movses Kaghankatvatsi, History of the Aghuans, VI chapter
- Kish, Khojavend is considerably closer to the other places mentioned than is Kish, Shaki, the place traditionally identified as Kish in the saint's life.
- Ibrahimov H. Christianity among Sakhurs. Alpha&Omega, № 1(19). Moscow, 1999. p.174.