Երզնկայի Սարգիս Արքեպիսկոպոսի գործունէութիւնն ըստ ԺԳ.-ԺԴ. դարերի Մամլուքեան սկզբնաղբիւրների

Abstract

The paper focuses in depth on the life and political role of Archbishop Sarkis, who came from a noble family in Yerzenga. It elaborates on the role the cleric played in maintaining and elevating his leading position between the local Muslim lords, the Armenian population and the Mongols. The author highlights the fact that the area was a region contested between the Mongols and the Mamelukes, who were trying to extend their influence over it. The paper notes thath Archbishop Sarkis was supportive of Mongol rule and played such a role successfully, though eventually he paid with his life to the leaders of the other camps. The paper is a case study of the transformation of Armenian leadership as men moved from being local autonomous leaders to maintaining an alliance with one of the likely conquerors of the area so as to hold on to power after the loss of Armenian statehood in mainland Armenia.