KHACIATUR ARAKELEAN. -
One of the most illustrious figures among the Armenian pupils of the Urban College of Propaganda. Born in 1666 at Erzerum (Karin), he was ordained priest in 1690 and went to Constantinople, where he acquired great renown as a preacher and zealous missionary. In 1699 he successfully carried out the pontifical mission to Egmiadzin, to the Armenian patriarch Nahapet, bearer of the brief Graves, etsi non incon-
suetos (1698) of Innocent XII. Having returned to Constantinople, he was vicar to the patriarch until the persecution instigated by the schismatics Efrem and Avetik, intruded patriarchs. He went into hiding and, in 1707, fled to Venice, where the Sacred Congregation of Propaganda entrusted him with the care of the Armenians. He remained there until his death on 30 April 1740.
In 1719 K. was apostolic visitor of the Armenians of Transylvania. He knew how to combine the care of souls with teaching and sacred study. He trained several missionaries and published various manuals of Armenian grammar, philosophy, theology, and sermons. Although he had not dared accept the invitation of the young Mechitar (v.) to become head of his recent foundation, he later became its most enthusiastic defender and promoter.