When Vahan Mamikonean and his brave
brother Vasak heard the mention of death, they were so encouraged
and strengthened and filled with the grace of the holy Spirit,
that they were persuaded. Vahan Mamikonean began speaking: "You
know that my brother Vard is at court. I know that when the Iranians
learn of our plan, they will tie him up and cause him grief. But
I prefer death than to live like this in apostasy. I accept your
word that you can do it. May the Omniscient see my [re]conversion
and realize that my turn has been made with my entire heart. May
He give me a good sign and return my beloved brother Vard to me,
healthy. May He allow me to see him with my own eyes and rejoice.
And then let Him work His pleasure regarding me, whatever seems
[fitting] in His eyes".
Having said this all of them rose together,
Christians and apostates and having prayed, they requested a holy
Gospel. Then the holy priest At'ik came forward. He was from the
prominent village called Bjni, and had been with them in the army,
an eloquent speaker and one able to keep a secret. Bringing [232]
forth a blessed Gospel, all of them hailed it. Placing their hands
upon it, each of them said: "Whoever confesses the faith
which the Savior of all and lord Jesus Christ taught and wrote
in this [Gospel], and whoever confesses the Son of man, may [Christ]
take him before His Father and have him inherit heavenly goodness.
And whoever erroneously apostasizes this faith and treacherously
breaks [his) oath [made] on the Gospel, and whoever denies the
Son of man, may [Christ] remove him to the outer darkness where
there is weeping and gnashing of teeth". Thus, having vowed
that night, having confirmed their faith in Christ, they bade
each other farewell, and each went to his lodging to rest.
67. A certain one of the Armenian naxarars,
named Varaz-shapuh, from the Amatunik' tohm, separated
from the plan of unity (just as Judas was rejected from the host
of blessed Apostles) and that very night went and told the marzpan
and everyone else about the plan of unity, the oath on the Gospel,
and the words of all the Armenian naxarars. When this was
heard by the marzpan Atrvshnasp the other Iranians, and
the company of Armenian apostates, they were dismayed and terrified,
and did not sleep the remainder of the night, from fear. [233]
When morning arrived, they left the place they had been and went
and encamped close to the wall of the fortress called Ani. They
remained there that day, advisors of the deception and the marzpan
with doubts accurately learning about the disaster from others,
and that [the rebellion] was to take place the next dayl. That
night the marzpan, the hazarapet and others allied
with them each mounted their horses and fled. When the Armenian
naxarars found out about this, they went after [g120] the
fugitives. But because the marzpan and the hazarapet
were travelling with informed guides, they did not flee by
direct roads but by different ones, and so managed to escape to
the fortress of Artashat. The Armenian naxarars were unable
to catch up with them. However they seized the equippage of all
the Iranians on the road, and they arrested Gadisoy Maxaz, whom
they took along with them. Having arrived at Duin, they went and
besieged the fortress of Artashat. But the marzpan and
the hazarapet left the fortress secretly at night and fled
to the Atrpatakan region. There was a sepuh from Urc named
Varaznerseh, the son of Koght'ek, prince of Urc, who had sworn
the oath along with the Armenian naxarars, but then broke
the holy vow. He went and laid waste the shahastan of Brhnavezh,
took all the goods of the shahastan and fortified himself
in the fortress called Sagray fortress, which was a secure fortress
in their principality.
[234] Now some neral of Armenia, and to their other comrades who were remaining
there at the ostan with them. They went quickly, with joyous
enthusiasm. They planned and said: "Who knows, maybe we can
reach the ford where the Iranian brigades want to cross, and wait
in some unexposed place. When we know that half of the brigade
has crossed the river, we can fall on them and perhaps do some
damage. Similarly, we can fall on the rest of them and easily
defeat them".
When they reached the village named
Varazkert, they learned that the Iranian brigades had all crossed
the river, and that there were 7,000 troops. The brave sepuh
of the Mamikoneans, Vasak (who was the advance-guard that day)
went on ahead to the village named Krhuakk', saying: "Let
me try to ascertain what if any information there is about the
Iranian brigade". Going to Krhuakk' to lodge, suddenly, at
daybreak the Iranian marzpan Atrvshnasp arrived at the
same village and heard that Vasak Mamikonean was there. When Vasak
the brave sepuh of the Mamikoneans learned that Atrvshnasp
and [238] the Iranians were there, he thought of means of salvation
[g122] through bravery by which he would be able to save his brigade
then. He ordered [his men] to leave the shen and to go
through unknown places and streets in groups of two, three, or
more, separate from each other. [He told them] to hurry to the
village of Varazkert where the naxarars and the Armenian
cavalrymen were, and to inform them. Then he, Vasak, the brave
sepuh of the Mamikoneans, by means of messengers spoke
deceptive nonsensical words to Atrvshnasp, saying: "I have
a message for the Armenians who are with you, which, when you
and those with you hear it, you will certainly regard such news
as pleasant and beneficial both for the lord of the Aryans and
for the land of Armenia". When Atrvshnasp heard this, although
he secretly rejoiced inside, thinking that [the rebels] had certainly
been vanquished, nonetheless he sent back a very severe reply,
saying: "What message could a rebellious land send me"?
When the brave sepuh of the Mamikoneans,
Vasak, knew that his cavalrymen had escaped unharmed, and that
there was no doubt of it, he replied to those who had come from
Atrvshnasp, saying: "To now we have done nothing bad nor
harmed royal affairs. But command me to state the message, hear
it, and decide what is fitting and necessary to do about it .
Having [239] released the mesaengers, and having himself mounted
his horse, [Vasak] said to the other Iranians who were there:
"I was ridiculing you when I spoke with the measengers. No
one sent me to you with a message, Rather, I came to observe you,
and to see your qualities. But you are bad and useless men, You
have come pursuing a bad matter. You will meet with evil and be
lost". When the brave man had spoken thusly, he departed
without concern and fearlessly. When the brave had returned to
the Armenian brigade, he told them that the brigade was numerous
but that many of the men were useless leaders of asses.
When the men of the Armenian troops
heard such words from the brave Mamikonean sepuh they consulted
among themselves and decided that they had to move from the plain
to the mountains. They were united in this thought: "If,
with God's aid we are strengthened and beat them, it is fine and
good. But should something untoward happen, the security of the
mountains will be our protection and help us". Then they
went and encamped in the village named Akorhi [located on mount]
Masis.
[240] 69. When they heard that the Iranian
brigade was coming against them in war the next day, in accordance
with their daily custom, they hastened to conduct the evening
service. In the morning, after completing their prayers, those
who were there organized themselves to resist thsm in war. The
400 men were divided into four fronts. At that time Babgen Siwnik'
and the brave sepuh of the Mamikoneans, Vasak, were set
up as military commanders of the center. Garjoyl Maghxaz was designated
commander of the left-wing, [g 123] the two Gnunik's, Atom, prince
of the Gnunik' and his brother Arhastom [were designated commanders]
of the right-wing; between the two parts the brave and select
prince of Shirak, Nerseh Kamsarakan and his brother Hrahat stood
ready, they said, to quickly go to the aid of whatever side was
weakening, and to provide force to all sides. All were certain
that these men were good, just, and oath-keeping people.
With the 400 men so arranged, they glorified
God and cried out together, saying: "Help us, God our Savior,
for the glory of Your name. Let the pagans never say, 'where is
their God [Psalm 78, 9-10]"'. They then came forth and massed
on a visible promontory of that part of the mountain between the
summit and the middle . When the Iranian troops saw so few Armenians,
[241] they could not imagine anything except that [the Armenians]
had gone crazy and had willingly come forth asking for death.
From a distance, the brave select men of the Iranian troops attacked
the Armenian troops; many of the ill-horsed Iranians fell back,
and the well-horsed advanced to the site of the battle. It was
then that Garjoyl Maxaz took his hundred men, broke the oath [he
had sworn] on the Gospel, and joined the Iranian brigade. There
thus remained three hundred Armenians in the companies, in accordance
with God's command (for the selection of three hundred for Gideon).
With help from On High, [the Armenians] applied themselves against
the Iranian troops and advancing, they caused the most select
men to fall to the ground dead, then and there. Another multitude
of the Iranian brigade was scattered and dispersed in the valleys
and rocky places. It was there that the marzpan Atrvshnasp,
other Armenian apostate awags and naxarars, and
many other Iranians were killed by the wing of brave Vasak, sepuh
of the Mamikoneans and Babgen Siwnik'. Many brave men were killed
by Atom and Arhastom's group, though through the justice of his
enemy the lord of Siwnik', Gdihon managed to save himself for
an even more wicked hour, and to barely escape from Atom and Arhastom.
But it was Hrahat, son of the [242] venerable Arshawir Kamsarakan
who killed with his spear the very first man to advance from the
Iranian brigade.
While they were thus involved, encouraged
by the right hand of the Almighty, Garjoyl Maxaz took the Katsac'
brigade, together with other rebellious Armenian folk, as well
as the brigade which was with him, and, changing direction through
the depths of concealed valleys, he came up behind the oath-keeping
Armenian troops. Thinking that [the Armenians] would be too occupied
killing the enemies of God, [Garjoyl] [g124] wanted to come up
from behind, fall upon those whom Christ was strengthening, vanquish
them through duplicity, and inherit a great name. But then, suddenly,
someone heard the sound of an Armenian being killed by the Katsac',
and went to the Kamsarakans to protest. They were angry at the
man and wanted to kill him, saying: "That brigade belongs
to us, and you deceitfully would cause great damage". But
then through the spying of his brother Hrahat, Nerseh ascertained
that indeed the brigade belonged to the enemy. Then the two brothers,with
but few men, attacked that limitless multitude. Resembling his
father, Nerseh Kamsarakan reached the Katsac' military commander,
a mighty and martial man, struck him with his spear and killed
him there. Then herding the entire [243] brigade before them,
they made more men fall to the ground dead here than had died
in the battle. That day was one of noteworthy joy for the believers
in Christ, and of shame and destruction for all who had apostasized
Christ. Truly the word of the prophet was fulfilled and confirmed,
that "Whomever God aids can expel a thousand, and move two
myriads" [II Deuteronomy 32, 30].
When the enemy of justice, Satan, saw
that the affair had ended so gloriously [for the Christians],
he sank into deep depression. He thought: "Everything has
turned out incredibly contrary to my wishes. Though I proved incapable
and was conquered, let me, at least for a moment, sadden the hearts
of the braves who still do not know about the disasters and loss
I have suffered". He took two msn who were his satellites--one
named Varhgosh from the Gnt'unik' tohm, the other named
Vasak from the Saharhunik' tohm--and quickly sent them
the next day at dawn to bring this bad news to the ears of the
blessed patriarch Yohann, and the two senior princes of Armenia,
the marzpan Sahak and Vahan Mamikonean: "The two sides
clashed violently in battle, the Iranian side grew strong, defeated
the Armenian brigade and put them to flight. [244] The soldiers
who fell and died by the enemy's sword were: the brave Vasak Mamikonean,
the goodly Babgen Siwni, the two renowned men, Nerseh, lord of
Shirak, together with his beloved brother Hrahat, the Gnunik'
men Atom and Arhastom, and indeed all the Armenian troops were
killed on the side of the mountain where Akorhi is located. We
are the only survivors who have come to bring you the bad tidings
of Job". This was said by the two men who had not even participated
in the battle.
Before this news had spread to Duin
(so that the wicked dew would not be further gladdened
by disrupting the city), a messenger bearing glad tidings quickly
arrived. His name [g125] was Arhastom, of the Gnunik' tohm.
Crying out in a loud voice he said: "The power of the holy
Cross has triumphed, and always will triumph". He gave his
account and related the miracles of God which happened to God's
beloved ones through the intercession of the saints, as well as
the wicked destruction and shame which the phalanx of apostates
inherited. Hearing this good news, the patriarch of Armenia, Yohan,
and the senior princes, the marzpan Sahak and the sparapet
of Armenia, Vahan, as well as all the naxarars of Armenia
and the rhamiks went together to the House of God (Whose
strength is mighty) and they thanked Him, worshipping the sole
true God and the irresistible order of His will. The venerable
Yohan, kat'oghikos of Armenia had [a passage read] from
the [245] twenty-ninth psalm: "The Lord heard and pitied
me, and the Lord aided me. He turned my mourning into gladness.
He took my sackcloth from me and girded me with gladness. As the
psalms say, You are my glory, and I shall regret no more. Lord
my God, I will confess You forever" [Psalm 29, 11-13]. Completing
the mass, they had an Easter of joy. First they saw to the wants
of the poor, and after that they themselves rejoiced with delight.
Then the troops came from battle and
again related the victory of God's power which had favored them
with the name of great triumph, while giving the enemy a status
of dissolution and disgrace. Glorifying Christ, they kissed each
other with a greeting of joy, and entered the winter season in
untroubled peace and rest. They were concerned about preparations
for war, in the springtime.
70. They sent an emissary to Vaxt'ang,
king of Iberia, so that, in accordance with his promise, he would
provide them with Honk' [soldiers]. Wasting time with words, he
delayed acting on this. But then, from somewhere, he assembled
300 [246] Honk' and sent them to Armenia. Barely one winter month
had passed when he quickly summoned them to himself, on a pretext.
And the land of Armenia remained protected by the strength of
Christ's aid, in whom [the Armenians] took refuge in and depended
upon; but there were no people to aid them.
Vahan Mamikonean, the general of Armenia,
sent [a message] to the prominent and noteworthy azg of
Arcrunik', to the azgs of the district of Anjewac'ik' and
Mokk', and to the azatorear of Reshtunik' informing them
of how God had helped those who placed their hopes on Him. [He
continued]: "Each of you knows the belief and preaching of
our correct and true faith quite well, and need not learn it from
anyone. You have also seen how the error of the mages, burning
like a furnace has ignited and scorched the souls of all but a
few. Behold the hour of Christ's just mshak has arrived,
who takes the hay-rake to sweep his threshing-floor. Cleaning
the grain, he [g126] puts it in the heavenly grainaries, and throws
the stalks into the eternal, unquenchable fire, for burning. Now
whoever wishes to be the grain, will give himself to God's service
and live. Whoever draws back, as the straw, will be tinder for
the eternal, unpassable Gehenna, will burn, and not be extinguished.
I will not forcibly drag anyone to do something for his own benefit,
but rather with exhortation I will remind [247] everyone about
the salvation or destruction he may encounter on the day of [Christ's]
visit. For whoever confesses the truth will be saved from Gehenna,
but whoever slips and strays from the direct road will be irretrievably
lost. Now let whoever is concerned about his own salvation and
longs to inherit immortal life come and seek vengence on the enemies
of the Church, which has been the object of the apostates' scorn
and hostility for years. Whoever thinks about physical dread and
is desirous of serving the nonsense of deviation will live in
gloom and be unworthy to look at Christ, the sun of justice. For
this, my soulful protest, may Christ, the just remunerator, recompense
me".
When the naxarars of the four
districts heard this message, half of them (who were desirous
of [sitting] on the right hand [of God]) stormed out to join the
flock [of Christ's] sheep. Others, who were in communication with
the wrong side, among the ranks of the goats, went unswervingly
to the outer darkness. A certain sepuh of the Anjewae'ik'
naxarars, whose name was Yohan, as well as a Eruanduni
named Nerseh, allied with other men dedicated to the truth to
accomplish good, went off to join the brigade of Vahan Mamikonean,
the general of Armenia. [248] Having assembled and having set
out on the journey, they approached the town [k'agha'ageoghn]
called Arhest during great Easter Week, the time of the forty-day
fasting period. Suddenly, at daybreak, without warning they were
attacked by the prince of Anjewac'ik', named Sewuk, and the prince
of Mokk', named Yohan, with many cavalrymen. When they realized
what was happening, although half of them were armed and the other
half were unprepared, nonetheless, encouraged with aid from On
High, they fearlessly struck out at them. First Nerseh Eruanduni
attacked Yohan, prince of Mokk' piercing him with his spear, and
assisted by Yohan the Anjewac'ik' sepuh, sent [Yohan Mokk'j
to the ground. This man [Yohan Mokk'] had once said boastfully
regarding Yohan the Anjewac'ik' sepuh: "He is like
a cow, and needs only to have a collar put on his neck. He is
incapable of doing anything for anyone, beneficial or harmful".
Yohan's relative Sewuk the prince of Anjewac'ik' heard this and
replied: "I will bring the collar; you fasten it around his
neck". As a result of his impious words, he [g127] fell from
his horse and was wickedly mauled by the horns of a cow and trampelled.
When the multitude of the troops saw this, they turned in flight.
They were pursued. Some of them were killed, while others were
sent fleeing dispersed here and there. They clearly recognized
and glorified the power of [249] God which caused so few, unorganized
troops to scatter such a multitude. News of this extraordinary
event was related all over the land of Armenia.
After this, Yohan the Anjewac'ik' sepuh
and Nerseh Eruanduni and the men with them arrived [at their destination].
God had worked signs and powers through them. When the blessed
kat'oghikos Yovhan saw them they offered to the lord God
a feast of joy and acceptable services. For God had granted them
the victory and raised the splendor of the one holy Church. Saluting
them, they rejoiced in Christ.
71. When the bitterly cold days of winter
had passed and the mild days of spring had arrived, they heard
that many troops were coming from Iran. The following numerous
military commanders reached the borders of Her and Zarawand district:
Suren palhaw,
Atrnerseh, the p'ushtipanan saghar,
Vin-i-Xorhean,
Atrvshnaspn-i-Tapean, and
Gdihon, lord of Siwnik '.
[250] The commander and senior [official]
of the army was the p'ushtipanan saghar, even though another
[man] of them was higher by gah.
Vahan Mamikonean, the general of Armenia
made haste. Taking with him the blesscd patriarch of Armenia,
lord Yohan (having faith in the man's prayers, and hoping that
God would grant everything according to his wishes), and assembling
the Armenian troops, he hurried to take them to those places.
He said: "Perhaps the multitude of Iranians has not yet crossed
into the middle part of the land of Armenia". [Vahan] took
along the naxarars, azats and all the rhamiks
who willingly went to battle. The Armenian troops left Duin, and
passing through the lodging places each day, they reached the
district of Artaz. Approaching the Iranian brigade, they encamped
in a village named Nersehapat.
The blessed kat'oghikos Yohan
ordered all the brigade of Armenians to fervently pray the entire
night through and to ask the humane Savior to raise His great
name among the multitude of assembled pagans, to give his servants
glory [251] and to shame the class of apostates. Thus Vahan Mamikonean,
the general of Armenia, and the marvellous aspet Sahak
the marzpan and all the Armenian troops with ardent hearts,
beseeched [g128] God for help and so completed the designated
hours of night. When the light of day broke, the blessed kat'oghikos
of Armenia, Yohan, blessed everyone and said in encouragement:
"Those who place their hopes in God are never disappointed.
For, as that select vessel of the holy Spirit, Paul, exclaimed
in a loud voice: 'Hope does not disappoint us, because God's love
has been poured into our hearts' [Romans 5, 5]. Grow mighty in
the love and power of His arm, and you will be able to extinguish
all the fiery arrows of satan, visible and invisible. Let no one
be in any way frightened seeing the multitude of troops of the
infidels. For, since God is with you, he will make your numbers
appear greater to them, and, resembling briars tossed by severe
wind, he will disperse them over the face of the plains and hills,
and totally destroy them. Now, may the right hand of the Almighty
bless you, strengthen you, guide you, and make you victorious.
Glory to Him, His Son, and the holy Spirit for all eternity. Amen".
When everyone had said °amen",
they prepared for war. As the Armenian brigades armed against
the enemy, the venerable [252] Yohan continued praying. Then Vahan
Mamikonean, the general of Armenia began to organize his side
of the front, as was proper. He entrusted the middle section to
that good man, aspet Sahak the marzpan, along with
many cavalrymen. In the right wing he designated Bashgh Vahewuni,
Babgen Siwni, Atom Gnuni, and P'apak Paluni, each with his cavalry,
and others besides. On the left were the oath-loving Kamsarakans
and their beloved brothers Vahan, Nerseh and Hrahat. He placed
himself to the right of each of the cavalry brigades. He also
prepared other senior men with select cavalry and Vren Vanandac'i,
He sent Pap Artakunik' (an ostanik man, the son of Baboc')
to inform the seniors of each section that: "I see opposite
us and approaching, the banners of the mightiest men, about whom
we have been informed earlier--Iranian men, the Katshac', and
the Siwnik' brigade. Go slowly and carefully watch us. Let us
be the first to attack. If, by the grace of Christ, we can put
them to flight by moving our section, then they will be unable
to get before our other parts and you".
When Pap took the message of Armenia's
sparapet, Vahan Mamikonean, to the seniors of each section,
although they wanted [253] to act according to the general's order,
the brigade of Iranians quickly reached each wing of [each] section,
and they did not have time. Clashing with the right hand section,
where Bashgh Vahewuni was, they put it to flight. Lord Sahak the
aspet attacked the p'ushtipanac' saghar with his
spear. Both of them wounded each other with their spears, and
approaching each other's horses, they seized each other by [g129]
the hair and fought. When Vahan Mamikonean, the general of Armenia,
saw that the Armenian troops were crying out and weakening before
the enemy, he called to Vren Vanandac'i: "Advance against
the enemy and do battle". But the latter, terrified, called
back: "I am unable. Right now do not put your hopes on me".
Vahan Mamikonean, the general of Armenia, took heart, made the
sign of the Cross over himself, and, with the two Kamsarakans,
attacked the enemies who were advancing against them. They allowed
nothing to stand in their way, and moving their section forward,
they put [the Iranians] to flight. With that wing, they entered
into the midst of the other wing. Before the two brigades they
herded a countless multitude of brave men to the small shoulder
of the mountain where they killed them, causing a great bloodletting.
Only Vin Xorhean with two other powerful comrades-in-arms [254]
audaciously came back to fight them. Vahan Mamikonean, the brave
general of Armenia, went and forcefully killed him. Nerseh Kamsarakan,
the lord of Shirak, killed Atrvshnasp Tapean, and each of the
other [Armenians] killed many brave [Iranian] men. When Barshgh's
brigade and the other Armenians who had fled saw that the might
of the Iranian brigade had been shattered, and that [the Iranians]
were fleeing before the brigade of Armenia's general, Vahan, they
took heart and were fortified. They turned back and chased after
[their] pursuers, killing many and pursuing many others whom they
had before them. The number of those slain from the Iranian brigade
exceded the number who had escaped. And the number of those who
died of wounds in various places was greater than those slain
from the Iranian brigade at the site of the battle.
The Armenian brigade returned to the
camp and to the honorable kat'oghikos of Armenia, Yohan,
with a good name, much glory, good booty, and an enormous amount
of goods, glorifying and blessing Christ, the granter of such
a victory. [Yohan] went before the vietorious brigade with a joyful
heart, giving them many blessings and, gladdened by the spirit
of strength, he said to all of them: "I am extremely happy
and unable to express the joys of my heart in words. But I am
even more [255] delighted to see that God is reconciled with you.
For though victory has caused me to rejoice, I am even more delighted
to see that Christ is your colleage who made you triumph and shamed
the opponents of justice. And may God Who now strengthened you,
always strengthen you, and be with you, and never leave you, to
the very end".
While [the troops] were returning from
the battle with strengthened, joyful hearts (since the battle
had been resolved by divine influence in accordance with the will
of the blessed patriarch Yohan and all the Armenian troops) [g130]
suddenly a second unexpected piece of good news arrived and spread
throughout the entire Armenian camp. For Vard, the brother of
Armenia's general Vahan Mamikonean, through the power of God had
safely escaped from bondage and had arrived [in Armenia]. When
the entire land of Armenia had filled up with such good news,
everyone hurried to the great visitation which God had bestowed
upon the land of Armenia. Many of them were so thrilled that when
they saw this unbelievable vision they doubted its substance and
thought it was not real. But, recalling the irresistible miracles
of God's power, they could only glorify and worship the Omnipotent,
at whose will and order all difficult and impossible things are
made easy and possible. They recalled how the furnace at Babylon
had been cooled; the icy wall of Egypt's Red Sea; how the Jordan
[river] receded; and how [256] the walls of Jericho fell with
a crash. Recalling all of this, offering acceptable prayers of
praise, only further inclined the believers to the Omnipotent.
[In the case of Vard, God] excercised even more powers than [in
the case of] the blessed Apostle Peter. For the angel merely removed
him and set him free to develop the preaching of Life. But in
the case of Vard Mamikonean, not only was he personally freed,
but he peacefully reached the country of Armenia together with
his servants, money, and equippage, resembling an eagle in flight
[flying] from the secure places of the shahastan, from
lofty walls, from a multitude of guards surrounded by shields,
and [safely] passed through many lodging-places.
It was then that the God-loving men
and allies recalled the vow of Vahan Mamikonean which he pronounced
before the holy Gospel on the day of their unity--and they realized
that God had accepted his [re]conversion, witness, and faith.
He said: "Indeed God has recognized the long-standing grief
and misery of my heart which I lamented in my error, and He accepted
the fruit of confession from my lips. The Omniscient was pleased
with my plan and oath, and through His mighty lordship gave me
a good sign, allowing me to see my brother, Vard, soon and to
rejoice". One could then hear [257] [the following psalm]
in all the churches of the land of Armenia, in the martyria of
the saints, at festivals and assemblies of unity, in the mouths
of priests, and generally of all the people, men and women: "Behold,
how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity"
[Psalm 132, 1]. As for the severe destruction of the enemy and
the elevation of the blessed Church, they said, citing the psalms:
"They collapsed [g131] and fell; but we rose and stood upright"
[Psalm 19, 9], and, "all the horns of the wicked were cut
off, but the horns of the righteous were exalted" [Psalm
74, 11]. And with thanks they gave praise, saying: "Then
we thy people, the flock of thy pasture, will give thanks to thee
for ever; from generation to generation we will recount thy praise"
[Psalm 78, 13].
73. Now after many days had passed,
wise and learned people observed a halo over the brave sepuh
Vasak Mamikonean [The editors p. 132 n.6 suggest "not many
days". The reading of "halo" is not certain] brother
of Armenia's general, Vahan, and knew thereby that the blessed
man's end was approaching. The holy Vasak had [258] asked God
to allow him to see the arrival of his brother Vard in the flesh,
and then to take [himj joyfully on the day his request was granted.
Almighty God quickly implemented the request of His saint, in
no way delayed granting the man's desire, but quickly accepted
the request, sent [Vasak's] brother Vard back and showed him to
[Vasak] and to everyone, He left [Vard] in health among his remaining
living servants, and called His blessed witness, Vasak to him,
crowning him and causing him to dwell in the mansion of His Kingdom,
among the angels of Heaven.
[The Armenians] then reached Caghkeotn
where they wanted to relax awhile in the baths called Varshaki
[i jermkin or koch'i Varshaki]. An emissary came to them
from the king of Iberia, Vaxt'ang, saying: "An enormous brigade
has reached the country of Iberia. When I saw that I could not
resist it, I fled to the Armenian mountains which border on Iberia,
and I await you there". [The emissary] had a letter supposedly
written by Vaxt'ang which said: "I have commanded a Honk'
brigade to come, but they have not arrived yet. But by the time
you arrive, they will be here. Then you, we, and the Honk' shall
destroy them. But it seems to me that when the Honk' arrive we
shall not have to participate. They will do the job, for I have
ordered such a great multitude to come".
[259] Vahan Mamikonean, the general
of Armenia, all the senior tanuter's and sepuhs
of Armenia, with all the troops of Armenia, quickly arose and
went to the king of Iberia without delay since they had sworn
an oath with king Vaxt'ang of Iberia, on the Gospel and Cross.
They temporarily encamped in the district of Kangark' where Vaxt'ang,
the king of Iberia, distracted Armenia's general Vahan Mamikonean
and the other senior tanuters of Armenia, saying, at times:
"When Mihran heard about your arrival, out of fear he fled
from the borders of Iberia to Aghbania". Then: "The
Honk' brigades will arrive in two days". But the two days
of this deceitful deadline passed, then the third, then the fourth,
and [Vaxt'ang] continued with his excuses. Then the sixth and
seventh days came and went. Then he had spies dispatched from
the brigade of Iberians and Armenians. They descended [g132] to
some parts of the plains and made it appear that the lights of
many fires blazed there and that the tree trunks were armed like
men (in accordance with the trick of Alexander of Macedon). Then
[Vaxt'ang] reported: "The Honk' brigade will not come to
us in the mountains. Rather, they say, show us here in the plains
the Armenians and then we will believe everything you have said
and vowed to us. Then will we do everything you command. Otherwise,
we will not believe that the Armenians [260] are really allied
with you. But if we see that it is indeed the case, then leave
the Iranians to us and do not worry. Now if you do not descend
to the plain, and the Honk' brigades do not believe me and do
not move anywhere up from the land, and if Mihran returns and
ruins Iberia, then what good will your arrival have done me"?
The Armenian brigade, since it had made
an oath with the king of Iberia attempted to carry out everything
he said (be it true or false) because of fear of the Gospel. Although
the season was very hot, they were forced to descend into the
Charmanaynu plain. Some of the Armenian princes did not consider
the descent of the Armenian brigade into Iberia as a good thing.
Although they said this many times, nonetheless, since they were
not believed, they kept quiet.
The Armenian brigade descended into
Iberia and encamped at the aforementioned place. Three or four
days had not passed when Mihran came and encamped opposite the
Armenian camp, on the other side of the river known as the Kura.
The Armenian camp went to a place more distant from the Iranian
camp and lodged there, But that night, many people in the [261]
Armenian brigade, forgetting the fear of the oath to God and trampling
underfoot the terrible vow on the Gospel, secretly communicated
with each of their friends in the Iranian army, saying: "Many
of us are involved in this matter not because we want to be, but
out of fear of Vahan, Armenia's general. But our plans and thoughts
are with you. We know that we would not leave your service but
that bad individuals among us to now have sought to increase the
damage you have done to us [? ayl vat anjanc' meroc' orsac'eal
achec'uc'ak' c'ayzhm zvnass i mez]. But if you do not ever
recall these words of ours, and have mercy on us, you will rule
[us]. For tomorrow, when we come to the place of battle, we will
quit the brigade and cause many others to flee with us".
They swore a vow with the Iranians, and confirmed these words.
The next day, when they reached the site of the battle, the king of Iberia at that time also spoke with Vahan, Armenia's general and with the other senior tanuters and sepuhs of Armenia, saying: "It is good that we are fighting with the Iranian troops today. For now we are sufficient for them, and they will be unable to withstand us. But if we had to postpone it by yet another day, the Honk' would come and would take the name of triumph as well as the profit of the booty". And at this [late] hour he was still delaying and deceiving with [262] duplicitous words.
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