»Merovingian's function«

The Merovingian is a program. Programs are createed only to fulfill a particular purpose or function. Therefore, what was the Merovingian's original function when he was created so long ago. If you want to go even deeper, what were Persephone's and Seraph's functions?

Ooh, ooh, I know, I know:

Seraph: I protect that which matters most.

Now, everyone assumes that since he was hanging around with the Oracle, that that's who he's protecting... but that's an assumption. I'm not saying that I know the true answer, all I'm saying is that his answer is cryptic. He may be protecting an object he's carrying, or information he knows or anything. All we know is he figures in M3. And if his duty is to protect the Oracle at all costs, then how did the Merovingian get to her (in Enter the Matrix).

As for the purpose of the Merovingian and Persephone, I'll let someone else try.