Mechitarists

The Mechitarists are an Armenian Roman Catholic congregation of monks, known for Armenian philology and manuscript studies, and following a constitution based on the Rule of St. Benedict. They were founded in Constantinople/Istanbul in 1701 by the Armenian priest Mekhitar Petrosian of Sivas. Driven from Constantinople in 1703, they moved to Modon in Morea (1703-15) and finally settled in 1717 on the island of San Lazzaro in Venice, becoming known as the Ordo Mechitaristarum Venetiarum. In 1772, some members split and left for Trieste, then established a separate branch in Vienna (Ordo Mechitaristarum Vindobonensis). However, both groups were reunited in 2000.

HMML ID
456379194841
PURL
https://w3id.org/haf/organization/456379194841
LC name
Mechitarists
HMML name
Mechitarists
HMML native script
Մխիթարեաններ
Library of Congress
https://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n85098219
VIAF
https://viaf.org/viaf/126728035

Variants

  • Benedictine Armenian Antonines
  • Congregatio Monachorum Antonianorum Benedictorum Armenorum
  • Congregazione mechitarista
  • Mechitarist Congregation
  • Mechitharists
  • Mekhitarists
  • Mkhit'areanner
  • Mkhitʻarean Miabanutʻiwn
  • Mkhitʻareankʻ
  • Monachorum Armenorum sub Regula Sancti Benedicti

Organization information

Organization type
Religious orders
Foundation date
1701
Centuries
18th century CE ● 19th century CE ● 20th century CE ● 21st century CE
Founding locations
Locations
Countries
Languages
Fields of activity

Organization relationships

Parent organizations

General notes

Description
Ordo Mechitaristarum, Monachorum Armenorum sub Regula Sancti Benedicti; in July 2000, Congregazione Mechitarista di Venezia and Congregazione Mechitarista di Vienna united to form Congregazione Mechitarista
Citations
David M. Cheney, "Congregazione Mechitarista," Catholic Hierarchy, accessed May 28, 2021, http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dqcam.html.
Description
Mechitarist religious order, Armenian Roman Catholic congregation of monks; known for Armenian philology and manuscript studies; constitution based on Rule of St. Benedict; founded in Constantinople/Istanbul in 1701 by the Armenian priest Mekhitar Petrosian of Sivas; driven from Constantinople in 1703, moved to Modon in Morea (1703–15) and finally settled in 1717 on the island of San Lazzaro, Venice; known as Ordo Mechitaristarum Venetiarum; in 1772, organization split and some left for Trieste, then established a separate branch in Vienna (Ordo Mechitaristarum Vindobonensis)
Citations
"Mechitarist," Encyclopaedia Britannica, accessed May 28, 2021, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Mechitarists.
Description
Mekhitarists (Մխիթարեաններ, Mkhit'areanner); monastic order of Armenian Church, founded in 1700 by Abbot Mekhitar of Sebaste; follow the Rule of Saint Benedict, but separate from the Benedictines; long divided into 2 branches, in Vienna and Venice, but united in 2000; main abbeys are San Lazzaro degli Armeni in Venice and the Mekhitarist Monastery in Vienna
Citations
"Mekhitarists," Wikipedia, accessed May 28, 2021, https://perma.cc/G8ZM-TVAR.

Preferred citation

"Mechitarists." HMML Authority File. Hill Museum & Manuscript Library. Last modified October 04, 2022. https://w3id.org/haf/organization/456379194841

Change notes

Date added
2021-05-28
Last edited
2022-10-04