ALISAN, LEONZIO. - Mechitarist of Venice, born in Constantinople in 1820, died in Venice, in the repute of
sanctity, on 22 November 1901. He entered the monastery in Venice and, ordained priest in 1840, taught for several years at the Raphaelian college, founded and directed by the Mechitarists, of which he was director in 1844 and 1866. In 1843, collaborating with Fr. G. Aivazovski, he brought about the flourishing of the Pazmaveb, the organ of the Congregation, which champions the religious and cultural needs of the Armenian nation. From 1859 to 1861 he directed the Muratian college in Paris, likewise founded and directed by the Mechitarists of Venice for the education of Armenian youth. In 1872 he was transferred to the cenobium of S. Lazzaro, where he conceived and composed his very numerous works, rich in learning on the whole of Armenian historical, archaeological, and topographical antiquity.
Alisan’s output was most abundant: ascetical and poetic works, through which he attained renown as the greatest poet of his time, collected in five volumes (Venice 1857-58); historical and geographical works: Geografia dell'Armenia illustrata (ibid. 1853); Airarat (ibid. 1890); Sissuan (ibid. 1885); Sirak (ibid. 1886); Sissahan (ibid. 1893); L'antica fede degli Armeni, mitologia armena (ibid. 1895); L'aurora del cristianesimo degli Armeni (ibid. 1901); Frammenti e vestigia dell'Armenia (ibid. 1870-1902).