Hosvep Arghouthian

Hovsep Arghutian, known in Russian as Iosif Argutinsky-Dolgorukov, was an eighteenth-century Armenian archbishop who served as the religious leader of Armenians in the Russian Empire. He played a key role in the establishment of Armenian settlements in Russia, most notably that of Nakhichevan-on-Don. He co-founded the first Armenian press in Russia and directed its activities. He had a close personal relationship with Catherine the Great and Grigory Potemkin and advised them on Russia's policies in the Caucasus region. Arghutian was a committed Russophile and sought Russian support for the creation of an Armenian state. He personally participated in the Russian campaign against Persia in 1796. He was elected Catholicos of All Armenians in 1800, but died on his way to Etchmiadzin in 1801 and was never consecrated.