d80 HISTORY OF AEMEKIA.
levying taxes and inflicting fines which were appropriated to their own private advan- tage. The Armenians who had beea sent captive to Damascus by Cashm, on the lat*» ter's removal from his government, petitioned Omar the Caliph to liberate them, which he ordered to be done, being a man of a very compassionate heart. They then returned ta Armenia. Just at this period Eliah the pontiff died, after ruling the Armenian church fourteen
^' Halcft* y^^^^ ^^^ ^ ^^^^- ^® w^ succeeded by Jo- •ra 167. bauues the Fourth, surnamed the philosopheri^
from the village of Ozun in the province of
Tashirs. Johaanes from his infancy had been
under the care of the celebrated and learned
monk Theodorus, surnamed Kurthenavor, wha
instructed him in every art and science which
was then known in Armenia. On his attaining
manhood he became so celebrated in conse«
quence of the variety of his talents and the
perfection to which he carried them, that he was
universally denominated the philosopher or sage*
In manners he was extremely pleasing, and
in the qualities of his heart unequalled : ge-«
nerous, candid, and peaceful, he won all hearts.
In person he was tali and well shaped, with
an extremely commanding air and remarkably
beautiful features. He always wore under his
robes and next bis skin, a dress of extremely
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