Frederic Conybeare’s Translation of Hovhannes Yerets Khnusetsi’s “The Key of Truth”

The Key of Truth by the 18th century Armenian clergyman Hovhannes Yerets Khnusesti, which was written in the province of Taron, in 1782, is dedicated to the ritual order of the Paulikians’ religious-heretical movement of the Armenian Church. The original work was translated and published by Frederic Conybear. While working in Echmiadzin library in 1891, the latter had a chance to get acquainted with the work. He was quick to realize the importance of the work and soon published not only the original version of the work in Grabar but also its English translation. It was through this translation that the European Theology got introduced to the religious-heretical movement of the Paulikians