" Ghazar P'arpec'i's (Parbetsi) “History of the Armenians” was written at the end of the fifth or beginning of the sixth century. The first book of this three-book work begins with information concerning the division of Armenia between the Byzantine and Sasanian empires (in 387), and describes the invention of the Armenian alphabet and the abolition of the monarchy in the Iranian-controlled eastern sector (428) to the death of Catholicos Sahak (439). Book II describes the anti-Iranian Armenian uprising of 450/451 (the battle of Awarayr) led by Vardan Mamikonean, while Book III describes another anti-Iranian uprising led by Vardan's nephew, Vahan Mamikonean, and known as the Vahaneanc' (481-84). Volume 1 contains Books I and II. " (Amazon book presentation). The attached is a direct quote.
“Now when Vardan, lord of the Mamikoneans and the sparapet 1 of Armenia, saw all of this wickedness he summoned his entire family, brothers, azats 2, servants and the entire multitude of his own court [g56], and began speaking to them as follows: "I did not apostatize my Creator and lord Jesus Christ either voluntarily or out of fear. God forbid. Nor did I repudiate the doctrine and faith of the holy Gospel which my honest grandfather, lord Sahak, taught and inculcated in me. Rather I erred for a moment, making pretexts until the present hour, for the salvation of all of you, so that being with you I might repent and live. For I have learned and remember the preaching of the holy prophets, that: 'I do not desire the death of the sinner, but his conversion and life' [Ecclesiastes 18, 23]; or as the Holy Spirit says in another passage: 'In returning and rest you shall be saved' [Isaiah 30, 15]. Now in exchange for having abandoned Him temporarily, for your sake, I would totally abandon all of these worldly goods. Should any of you find it possible to share my intention, despising all the futile possessions of the land, then together with you for the name of Christ, I will choose to go into exile."
When Vardan had said all of this to the family of his tun 3 his venerable brother Hmayeak replied as follows: "Hurry and do as you planned, and do not delay, for no one can answer for himself for [99] even an hour. If we live, it is because of God. So let us not dread the day of our death, since no one can escape it, whether it comes sooner or later. Should we dwell in poverty or exile, only let us be succored by Him and let us take pride in His name every day. Let us only cast off from ourselves the name of apostasy and mix with the flock of Christ, and we will bear willingly all the sorrows which we encounter—hunger, the sword, or in exile, mendicity and death."
Thus, in unison did they scorn all the futile splendor of this world, considering it as nothing. Rather, together with those of their court and family who agreed with them, they hurriedly decided to go to the areas of Byzantine authority where they could live together in hiding or could disperse here and there. They arrived at a village named Aramanay located in the state [nahang] of Bagrawand, bordering Basen and Tuaracatap', where they wanted to rest for a few days and where they watchfully prepared to set off in haste.
Now suddenly Vasak, prince of Siwnik', who was the marzipan 4 of Armenia (note: Persian ruled Armenia) at the time, and all of the tanuters 5 and sepuhs 6 of Armenia became informed about the plan and departure from the land of Armenia of Vardan, the great sparapet of Armenia and lord of the Mamikoneans, together with his brothers, court and entire equipage [g57]. They were [100] dismayed and frightened. All who were concerned with their personal salvation realized that they were completely lost and that it would be impossible to escape from the evil facing them. For all of them knew that without the leadership of that [Mamikonean] azg 7 no deed or work had been accomplished.Vasak, the prince of Siwnik', held counsel with all the tanuters of Armenia and the senior sepuhs and persuaded all of them to his belief, that: "We must immediately send select priests and senior tanuters of Armenia after Vardan Mamikonean, Armenia's general, to turn him back with their entreaties. For without him, all of our hopes and plans will come to naught."
Then Vasak, prince of Siwnik', wrote a letter, signed it with his seal-ring, and ordered all the senior tanuters of Armenia to write letters and to seal them with their rings. He also had the sealed Gospel of the covenant brought forth. Then Vasak, prince of Siwnik', selected the following men, entrusted them with all the letters and the Gospel on which the oath had been sworn, and sent them as emissaries after [Vardan]. Among the venerable priests were:
the presbyter Ghewond and
the presbyter Eremia from Nor k'aghak' [Vagharshapat]
the presbyter Xoren from Mren;
among the senior tanuters of Armenia were:
Arshawir, prince of Arsharunik'
Hmayeak, prince of Dimak'sean, and
Gazrik, prince of Abeghean.
They caught up with [Vardan] and those with him at the aforementioned village of Aramanay.
[101] Giving notice, they entered and related to the venerable Vardan, lord of the Mamikoneans and sparapet of Armenia, and to his brothers Hmayeak and Hamazasp, the reason for their speedy pursuit of him, the counsel, words and vow which had occurred among all the Armenians with the concurrence of prince Vasak of Siwnik'. They brought that Gospel of the covenant before the venerable Vardan and his brothers. They also presented him with the letters of Vasak, lord of Siwnik', and of the other Armenian azats,bishops and sepuhs, as well as with a summarized message of all of their words: "You, chief [du awagik] 8, together with your brothers and believing family who have thought to save themselves with you, have escaped. But all of us will be ruined with eternal destruction. For without you neither we nor our sons shall ever find salvation and life. But as you have taken care to protect your own, do not abandon such a multitude of souls to be destroyed. For there are many of us who are of your blood and mingled with your azg. Let us, too, be crowned by Christ, just as you are striving that only your own folk be crowned."
Now when the blessed sparapet of Armenia and lord of the Mamikoneans, Vardan, and his venerable brothers heard all of these words from the delegation of priests [g58] and naxarars 9 which had arrived, and when they saw the holy Gospel of the covenant, and read the letters of Vasak, prince of Siwnik', the marzpan of Armenia, and each of their comrades, [Vardan] replied with the sentiments shared by all of them: "My brothers, family and I consider it the most important thing in the world [102] that we choose and find salvation for our souls. We have learned and firmly hold to that unshakable belief that 'What does it benefit man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul; and what can a man give in place of his soul [Mark 8 36-37]?' We do not merely seek benefit for our own souls but would rejoice in the salvation of others' as well. Nor is it that we are fleeing out of fear of the sword. Anyone familiar with our azg would know that this could never be the case. All of you Armenians accurately know from historical writings [gitek' stugut'eamb i patmut'ene groc' ] and from listening to your seniors, that this tohm 10 has always fought with its life more for the well-being of our comrades than for ourselves. However, recalling all of your treacherous duplicity which you always displayed toward our ancestors, we have departed to escape. As you have always placed us in straits and yet held yourselves aloof, it has been our azg alone which has faced great sorrows and death. But no one of our azg has stood opposed to the blessed and heavenly call of the Gospel, nor do we wish to. God forbid. You who stand behind it, as well as you who are of two minds must realize that the holy Gospel knows everyone and judges each one according to his deeds."
31. When the blessed Vardan, lord of the Mamikoneans and sparapet of Armenia, had said this, with the support of his venerable brothers and dear ones, the Mamikoneans returned to their comrades in the Armenian army. Having achieved unity, a multitude of them did not desist from the counsel of the blessed sparapet of Armenia, Vardan, [103] but celebrated [mass] with priests in their homes. Others celebrated mass with a host of clerics at his court. Many hastened there, day and night. [Vardan], sharing the sentiments of all the Armenians, longed to go to Church. But although he was bothered by not going, nonetheless he willingly abstained, enduring the situation for a while concerning himself with the needs of his comrades, the needs of his House and himself. He was especially concerned about Ashusha, the Iberian bdeshx, and the sons of Vasak, the prince of Siwnik', whom the Iranian king, Yazkert, had kept at court. The holy Vardan regarded the situation not with a view to advancing his cause, for he was not thinking about achieving a reputation for victory. He longed to shed his own blood for the flourishing covenant of [g59] the Church. But as a virtuous person, he was aware that as a result of [untimely provocations, the hostages] might be subjected to wretched acts by the king and be injured.”
Notes:
1. Sparapet (Սպարապետ), Commander-in-Chief
2. Azats (Ազատ), Freemen
3. Tun (Տուն), Home, household
4. Marzban (Մարզպան), Governor
5. Tanuter (Տանուտէր),Landlord, master of a house
6. Sepuh (Սեպուհ), Nobleman
7. Azg (Ազգ), Nation, people
8. du awagik, You, the senior
9. naxarars (Նախարար), Minister
10. Tohm (Տոհմ), Clan
Note: Reproduced from an earlier blog.
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