This article refers to the activities of Gabriel Ayvazian (brother of renowned master of marine art Hovhannes Aivazovsky) in the Mechitarist Congregation (1826-1856).

Gabriel Ayvazian was a famous Armenian clergyman, public figure, philologist, historian, pedagoue and translator. He spent most of his life (exactly 30 years) as a Congregation member, taking active part not only in the monastic life but also in the work of the Mechitarists to serve the Armenian nation.

Gabriel Ayvazian mastered fifteen living or dead languages and was the author of several translations; it was with his help and support that works by Movses Khorenatsi and Agathangelos were translated into Italian. Gabriel Ayvazian made also a great contribution to the development of the pedagogical thought of his time. During 1843-1848, he was the editor of “Bazmavep”. Besides studying major historical and theological matters and his work as a translator, he played a decisive role in the sharp struggle of his time between old and modern Armenian languages, lending his support to the modern one as it was understandable for the people.

His other important contribution to the Congregation was his role in the massive work of creating dictionaries, learning from the celebrated armenologist Mekrtich Avgerian and collaborating with him in composing the “Haykazian” and “Ardzern” Armenian dictionaries. The relation with his brother Hovhannes Aivazovsky is also worthy of attention.