ABRAMO I ALBATHANTZI. — Armenian Katholikos from 607 to 610-11. He ascended to the patriarchal throne, which had been vacant for three years, during which time Verthanes had directed II. Verthanes’ persistence in accusing Kurion, the Katholikos of the Iberians, of favoring Nestorian heresy and adhering to the Chalcedonian formula, was taken up by A., and ultimately led to the separation of the Iberians. Indeed, after sending Kurion three letters of protest, in the last of which he clearly took a stance against the Council of Chalcedon, A. excommunicated Kurion, who remained steadfast in his orthodox position.
ABRAMO II (ADAMO PIETRO I) ARZIVAN (Adami-taptzi). — Armenian Catholic Patriarch, b. at Aintab on 12 Apr. 1679, d. on 10 Oct. 1749. Ordained priest and later bishop of Aleppo (1710), he suffered persecution from the heretical faction and was imprisoned twice. Superior of the Armenian Catholic convent of Kreim, he attended the Mardin Council of 1723 together with the apostolic legate Giuseppe Assemani. He was elected Katholikos in 1740 and sought confirmation and the pallium from Rome, which he received from Benedict XIV, who, as a sign of particular favor, gave him an ivory statue of the Immaculate Conception. Returning to the East, he took up residence on Mount Lebanon, continuing his apostolic activity until his death.