Yakob Jughayets‘i (1655–80), Catholicos of All Armenians, is arguably one of the most discussed figures in the history of late medieval Armenia. During his time as head of the Armenian Church, he made significant contributions to construction, reform, education, and enlightenment. While Jughayets‘i is widely recognised for these achievements, his political initiatives have generated divergent interpretations, some of which have led to unwarranted attributions, particularly with regard to his plans for Armenian liberation and his supposed inclination towards Catholicism. This article aims to clarify and reassess such claims by examining his political activity within the broader context of Armenian ecclesiastical and political life in the 1650s–70s. Drawing upon classical sources, lesser-known archival records and newly reintroduced materials, and building on the legacy of Armenian historical studies—particularly the works of Leo, Ashot Hovhannisyan, Yakob K‘iwrtean and Archbishop Magh‘akia Ōrmanean—this article seeks to outline the main features of Yakob Jughayets‘i’s political engagement, providing an objective analysis of the historical context and consequences. We argue that the activities of Catholicos Yakob Jughayets‘i should not be viewed as a series of isolated actions. Rather, under his leadership, the Armenian Church emerged as an active factor in pursuing the Armenian people’s aspirations for liberation within a multi-imperial context. We believe that this analysis contributes to a deeper understanding of the political function of the Armenian Church within the broader framework of early modern Armenian history.
Maghalyan et al. (2025) studied this question.