The image of Archangel Gabriel in Armenian epic folklore

The article is devoted to the epic image of Archangel Gabriel, who appears in folklore narrations as the angel of death taking the souls of mortals. The novelty of the study lies in a systematic comparison of all known epic episodes, in which the Archangel Gabriel is one of the central figures. The objective of this study was to identify the common characteristics of the image of Archangel Gabriel in Armenian epic folklore and to analyze his relationship with other characters of the folklore narratives under examination. The research is based on published folklore primary sources, as well as on the works of previous folklorists who addressed this topic. The article employs descriptive, comparative-typological, and structural methods of research. A significant role is assigned to the chronological analysis of all known epic stories. In the Armenian tradition, Gabriel is the only angel whose name is repeatedly mentioned in various genres of folklore. However, Archangel Gabriel (Gabriel Hreshtakapet) is especially prominent in Armenian epic folklore. He plays a key role in several versions of the heroic epic “Daredevils from Sassoun” (“Sasna Tsrer”), although he does not belong to the circle of the epic’s principal heroes. At the same time, Gabriel is the central figure in the well-known historical-mythological “Ballad of Aslan”. One of the key conclusions of the study is that, in folk narratives, Gabriel is not merely the angel of death taking the souls of all mortals — both righteous and sinful — but also the representative of the Lord on earth, the executor of divine commands and his chief messenger. In folklore works, people generally refer to him as “Angel Gabriel” (Gabriel Hreshtak). The results of the study show that in some cases where his name is absent and only an “angel” is mentioned, the context clearly implies the presence of Archangel Gabriel within the given narrative. The results may be used in theoretical studies devoted to epic folklore and mythological ballads. Avenues and perspectives for further research could include comparing the Armenian material with similar plots and motifs found among neighboring peoples.

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