born 310 died 373?; feast day, February 19 Patriarch of the Armenian church from 353. A descendant of St. Gregory the Illuminator (240-332), Nerses became the most important figure in Armenia during his patriarchate, establishing monastic and charitable institutions and schools. He was a supporter of King Pap of Armenia but broke with him over his fostering of religious ties with the court of Constantinople, which led to Pap's instigating the murder of Nerses