Domar Garjarod (Mkhitar Sepasdatsi, 1733)
Name/Title
Domar Garjarod (Mkhitar Sepasdatsi, 1733)Secondary Title
Տօմար Կարճառոտ Translated title: Short Calendar.Description
This is a concise calendar and summary of the Roman Calendar, Commonly Used by the Armenians. This 40-page booklet, authored by Mekhitar, is an appendix to the Psalms of 1733. Mekhitar must have prepared this book quite early, as its existence was already known to Father Manuel the Vardapet in 1721. Writing from Transylvania (Kerla) on October 7 of that year, Father Manuel addressed Mekhitar: “…It is necessary to provide the same number (100 copies) of the Simple Calendar, whether created with the revisions and arrangements made by your reverence, including a concise and unaltered list of calendars. And include within it appropriate guidance…” Unaware of this manuscript's existence, Johann the Bishop made a similar request to Mekhitar in a letter from Rome dated February 8, 1727: “Now that the Armenian Easter is near, I ask you to undertake even a modest effort to correct the significant errors, as you have received from the Lord the light and ability to discern the truth and the opportunity. In this way, you may prepare a Simple Calendar, publish it, and have it printed. And if you harbor any doubt about whether it will sell or whether it will serve its purpose, then have it printed and published, if you wish, at my expense. By selling some and distributing others, we could strive to spread it among our nation. Perhaps in this way, we might protect them from further errors and guide them away from shame and the consequences that follow.” Encouraged by these and similar statements, Mekhitar finally published the Calendar in 1733. It was subsequently reprinted many times, generally bound together with the Psalms. The book was published by Antonio Bortoli (fl. c. 1691–1794) who was a printer and publisher based in Venice. For much of the 18th century, Bortoli and his descendants held a monopoly—granted by the Venetian Senate—on Armenian and Greek language publications in the city. These works were primarily aimed at the Greek and Armenian trading communities residing there. While many of the publications were religious, Bortoli also produced works on history, philosophy, and linguistics, including language primers on Italian grammar.Category
Books