The Vita Silvestri and Its Armenian Versions in the Context of the Apostolic Foundation of the Patriarchates and Papacy

Abstract

The article is focused on issues connected with the spread of the Greek and Armenian versions of the Vita beati Silvestri, which so far seems to be underestimated. These versions are worthy to research, since they are also closely intermingled with many interesting topics, one of which is a question on apostolic foundation of the papacy and the patriarchates. The Vita also served as a source for the later forgeries made on a lore of its content (e.g. the Donatio Constantini, the Letter of Love and Concord). The research of the tradition and texts connected with Sylvester is quaestio vexata and it can be solved by involving all existing versions.

Keywords

• Apostolic foundation. Armenian tradition. Forgeries. Letter of Love and Concord. Papacy. Patriarchates. Vita beati Silvestri