Medal Honoring Mekhitar Abbot and the Holy Mother of God

ANRO-1748

Obverse: A left-facing portrait of Mekhitar Abbot, founder of the Mekhitarist Congregation, depicted with a beard and traditional clerical attire. The Armenian inscription reads: "ՑԱՌԱՅ ԱՍՏՈՒՑՈՅ ՄԽԻԹԱՐ ԱԲԲԱՅ" ("Servant of God Mekhitar Abbot").

Reverse: A depiction of the Holy Mother of God (S. Աստուածածին) holding the infant Jesus in her arms, both adorned with halos symbolizing sanctity. Encircling the design is the Armenian inscription: "ԽՆԴՐԱԿԱՏԱՐ Ս. ԱՍՏՈՒԱՑԱՑԻՆ" ("Intercessor Holy Mother of God").

Specifications: 29.5x26mm, 7.02g
Artist / Engraver:
Mint:
Edge: Plain
Mintage:
Reference:
Image shown: ANRO collection inv. no.

This medal commemorates Mekhitar Abbot (1676–1749), a prominent Armenian Catholic cleric and scholar, who founded the Mekhitarist Congregation on the island of San Lazzaro in Venice. Known for his dedication to education and the preservation of Armenian culture, Mekhitar's efforts established a renowned center for Armenian scholarship. The reverse honors the Holy Mother of God, revered as an intercessor in the Armenian Apostolic and Catholic traditions, symbolizing divine guidance and protection. The medal underscores the spiritual legacy of Mekhitar and the enduring veneration of the Virgin Mary within Armenian Christianity.