Khachik Grigoryan: Newly found “Commentary on the Epistle to Hebrews” by Cyril of Alexandria in Armenian translation

Cyril’s Commentary on the Epistle to Hebrews until now has been considered to be lost, only several small fragments surviving in different languages including Armenian, Greek and Syriac. Parallel fragments, as indicate scholars, in Armenian and Greek have sufficient correspondence though have also some differences.Three manuscripts in Yerevan Matenadaran collection, according to recent discovery of Hakob Keoseyan, present that "lost" Commentary to the Epistle to Hebrews of Cyril of Alexandria. Only one of these manuscripts has the full text, the other two are partial.The comparison with the preserved Armenian fragments in the “Seal of Faith” dogmatic collection (VII century) shows nearly complete correspondence. The text of the Commentary has no direct indication about the time of writing or translation into Armenian. As to the first, we have to agree with the majority of scholars dating it in the acute phase of Nestorian controversy, after 428 AD. Regarding the second, some Armenian scholars support very early date, the first half of V century, however it seems to us more probable that it was translated in the end of V century or in the beginning of VI century. The Commentary consists of eight orations. The amount of words is about 35000.The comparative text of the Commentary based on these three manuscripts will soon be published in Armenia for the scientific community.We have firm ground that this is Cyril's authentic commentary, most desired by many scholars, and it will give an impetus for investigations in many areas.