Lehahayer (Feb 2013)
Stefan Wartanowic Lehacy - Zapomniany Ormianin Polski
Abstract
Stefan Wartanowic Lehacy – a forgotten Polish‑Armenian Stefan Wartanowic Lehacy (deceased in 1689) counts as one of the most prominent figure in the Armenian culture of the 17th century. A theologian and philosopher, he was a lecturer at the religious school in the seat of catholicosate in Echmiadzin, a copyist and translator, probably also a painter. Although he was born in Poland, today he is almost forgotten in his country of his birth. Lehacy (meaning: Polish, or: from Poland) came from Lwów, where he received good education, being a son of a wealthy Armenian merchant. His ancestors came from Suczawa (present-day Suceava, Romania) and became known as benefactors of the Armenian church. After the restoration of communion between the Polish- Armenian religious communities and the Holy See, he was sent by his parents, opposing the union, to Armenia to continue his education. His integration with the new community was harmonious enough and he eventually became the catholicos’ representative. Being fluent in Polish and Latin (and most likely Kipchak), he made a significant contribution to the Armenian literarture with his translations of various works printed in Poland in that time. This article portrays his life in comparison with the processes of spiritual and cultural rebirth in Armenia, which was made possible by the political stabilization in that region. It presents genealogy of Lehacy, his spiritual legacy and the hypothesis of his painting skills, as well as the exact location of his grave.
