Eghiazar
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Eghiazar | |
|---|---|
| Catholicos of Albania, Lupenia and Chola | |
| Church | Caucasian Albanian Church |
| Installed | 680 |
| Term ended | 688 |
| Predecessor | Ukhtanes |
| Successor | Nerses Bakur |
| Personal details | |
| Died | 688 |
Eghiazar (Old Armenian: Եղիազար, romanized: Ełiazar) was the Catholicos and head of Caucasian Albanian Church in the late 7th century.
Attested in The History of the Country of Albania, he was mentioned as a bishop of Shaki during tenure of his predecessor Ukhtanes. Although Mkhitar Gosh[1] and Kirakos Gandzaketsi[2] give his tenure for 6 years and death date as 688, thus suggesting his election in 682, Dowsett argued against this, suggesting early 680 instead.[3]
Tenure
His tenure started during reign of Javanshir as a vassal of Umayyad Caliphate, a period of relative political stability but also arrival of Muslims in Albania. Certain Albanian noble families were beginning to forge intermarriage bonds with Muslim nobles.[3] He was described by Movses Kalankatuatsi as an equal to apostles 'in word and deed'[4] and was active in evangelizing North Caucasian Huns, sending Israel to work among them. After Javanshir's death and succession of Varaz-Tiridates I, he was instrumental in forging peace between Alp Iluetuer and Varaz. He died in 688 and succeeded by Nerses Bakur.