5. Reading this letter, the caliph gratefully honored the envoy that had been sent by the great patriarch, and sent his chief eunuch with orders to bring immediately Nerses along with the princess. 6. The eunuch came and putting them both in fetters, and mounting them on camels, took them to the caliph. 7. And thus, the great patriarch Eghia removed this wickedness from [our] midst by wisely routing their spiritual death through physical toils. 8. Subsequently, he ordained another chief bishop in place of the heterodox Nerses. 9. Then, completing the fourteenth year of his patriarchate, he died.
10. He was succeeded by the great philosopher Yovhannes, who was learned and well versed in all the poetical writings, parts of speech and grammatical details, and also in the study of the species, and the genera of the species that fall under the topic of "substance" and are predicated on the individual. He also was not ignorant of the circumstantial differentiae, and the accidental predicates, both those that form a unity and those that do not. 11. Also being very competent in Theonic studies, which fully engraft into [the mind of] the connoisseur the fruits of the tree of culture, he set in writing with great erudition all the regulations concerning the hours of worship in the Church of Christ. With a beautiful style he enriched the offices and wrote commentaries on each one separately in order to console the clergy of the Church. 12. He also wrote other treatises of his own creation [designed] to make people repent their wicked deeds, and exhort them to do penance. 13. Devoting himself to everything that was righteous and sound, he diligently and arduously armed himself with spiritual works through fasting, prayers, and nightly vigils. Underneath [his outer garments] instead of wool he wore intolerable cilice made of goat's hair. 14. However, he adorned his external appearance with clothes of fine quality. Moreover, grinding gold with a file and mixing it with sweet ointments, he sprinkled it on his beard, which was white and reached down to the hem of his ephod. 15. This is the way he displayed himself in public so that he might be a source of joy to the well-wishers, and arouse fear in the wicked and the immature so that they might turn from evil to good. 16. And since the startling power of certain invisible fears cannot change man from bad to good as much as the stimulus of excellent ornaments that are visible, for this reason it became customary to adorn the inanimate stones of the church with beautiful ornaments. [And if stones could impress people,] then, [by the same token] a man could more so astonish the onlookers. [100] 17. Yet, these were not for all, but only for those who were entrusted with judicial duties. 18. For a certain ostikan of Armenia, one by the name of Walld [Vlit'], who had seen the man of God, happened to visit the caliph, and told him about the elegance of Yovhannes. 19. Wishing to see him, the caliph immediately sent one of his servants to bring the man of God. 20. After he had been brought to the royal city with great honors, the caliph sent word to him that he wished to see him clad in his usual manner. 21. Adorning his fine stature all the more with elegant and splendid clothes and setting his gray beard like a golden bouquet, he took into his hand the staff, which was made out of ebony painted with gold, and thus, graceful and robust, he presented himself before the caliph. 22. Upon seeing him, the latter was amazed by his handsome and august stature. Then he ordered a chair for him to sit on, and began to inquire: 23. "Why do you dress so elegantly? Your Christ honored modest and humble clothes; so did his disciples." 24. Yovhannes answered: "Although Our God Christ's divine glory was concealed by the flesh, which he took from us, as if by a curtain, yet, the miraculous signs of the divine power were not hidden and were disseminated to all. He placed in the hands of his apostles the same grace and the power to perform miracles which were sufficient for arousing the minds of men with the fear of God, and they had no need for impressive garments. 25. Today, however, since we are deprived of the grace of their numerous powers, we try to impress the simple and immature minds of men with the fear of God by means of splendid garments. 26. This is also seen with you, who are terrestial kings. You impress the multitude with awe by means of purple and gold-embroidered garments, beautiful ornaments and armament. For should men behold you clad in cilice, or in wretched and vile clothes, they will not be awed by your unmanifested glory. 27. But if you wish to see me as I am, then let your majesty order these men to step out for a short while." 28. And then, when they were left alone, he took off his outer garment and revealing his undergarment which was made out of goat's hair, said: "This is the garb that covers the nudity of my parts. The outer garments are only for the eyes of outsiders." 29. Touching with his own hands the cilice made out of goat's hair, the caliph was disgusted and struck with horror. He asked, "How could the human body endure such intolerable cilice, unless God has given patience to its bearer?" 30. Subsequently, he bestowed on him great honors, adorning him over seven times with beautiful royal garments, and also giving him gold and silver, he sent him to his country. 31. Returning to Armenia, he lived for a few years, and died after having occupied the patriarchal see for eleven years.
4. He was succeeded by Trdat, who was from the village of Ot'mus, a saintly and chaste man, shining with virtue. 5. In his days the attacks of our wicked enemies from all quarters stopped with the help of his devout prayers. 6. And thus, he peacefully reached the point of Christ's summons, and died after having occupied the patriarchal throne for twenty-three years. His namesake Trdat, who was from Dasnawork', succeeded him on the patriarchal throne, and occupying it for only three years, died. He was succeeded by Sion who was from the village of Bawon. 9. Since early childhood the latter had been brought up and educated in the holy patriarchate and had displayed himelf as one disciplined in the innate virtues. 10. Before [his elevation], he had been summoned to the bishopric of the province of Aghdznik'. While he was still there tending to his faithful flock, a spring with copious waters [located] at the foot of the mountain which is called Sim dried up. Numerous vineyards, orchards with shrubs and arable lands were irrigated by its waters. 11. From that time the crop of the village began to wither and waste away, and it was reduced to a state of desolation. 12. The Ishmaelite governor of the province at that time, a man by the name of Sulayman [Suleyman], immediately summoned the bishop and begged him to find a way of making the waters of the spring flow again. 13. Then Sion notified all the members of his prelacy to attend in concert the Nocturns on a [Saturday] night when Sunday was at dawn. 14. And early on Sunday morning, accompanied by the faithful who were flocked together, he went with the holy cross to the withered and dried spring, and offered prayers blessing the site and striking it with the staff that was [113] in his hand. Suddenly, at the twinkling of an eye, the waters began to gush out of the spring in an abundant and limpid flow. The governor was greatly amazed at this and could never forget the signs that happened. 15. Subsequently, that ostikan rose to the position of governor of Armenia. Immediately after his arrival at the city of Dvin, the second Trdat died. 16. When this matter was made known to him, the ostikan immediately sent for Bishop Sion, and gave orders to bring him and set him on the patriarchal throne. For such reasons he was brought to this place. 17. In his days there took place the massacres of K'aghin, Aren, and the komopolis of T'alin, where as many as seven hundred people were killed, and one thousand two hundred were taken captive. 18. After a most wonderful and solitary career of eight years he completed the course of his life and died. He was buried with his ancestors.
19. Subsequently, they summoned to the patriarchal throne Esayi, who was from the village of Aghapatrush in the district of Nig. 20. He had been formerly appointed bishop over the district of Goght'n, from which position he was elevated to the patriarchal throne. 21. It is narrated that he was the only child of a widow; reduced to a state of penury and wandering around with her suckling babe seeking alms, the woman attached herself to the house of the katholikos, and remained there unnoticed by most people. Since she never departed from the gates of the temple of the Lord, she was benumbed by the winter cold and parched by the summer sun. 22. When the priests asked her, "Why do you lodge in the open air and suffer with your suckling babe all the harshness of the elements, which you could avoid by seeking shelter with anyone?" 23. She gave only the following answer, "Don't you realize that I am nursing my son here with the expectation that he may become katholikos?" 24. The woman was almost like a prophetess concerning her child, for after being nourished and educated in the same patriarchate, he was first elevated to the episcopal rank, and then summoned to the august patriarchal office. After presiding with virtue for a period of thirteen years, he died and was buried with his ancestors. 26. After him they set up as prelate a certain Step'anos who was from the city of Dvin; he stayed for only two years. 27. Then Yovab, who was from Ostan and the court of the Curopalate, succeeded him and presided for only about six months.
10. After the death of the patriarch Yovab, they set on the Holy See, Soghomon, 11. who was from the komopolis of Garni. From his youth he had borne the yoke of the ecclesiastical state, and had devoted himself to many virtuous tasks in the great congregation of Mak'enoc'k'. He was also well versed in philosophy, and particularly proficient in psalmody. 12. Because in the days of Abbot Soghomon the congregation of Mak'enoc'k' was divided into two groups, the abbot went with half of the clerics of the congregation to live at Zresk, which is in the district of Shirak. The [other] Soghomon [just mentioned] accompanied him, and having become a monk there, he spent his days in a cell, where he devoted himself to the ascetic life. 13. When they had taken him out of his cell, and were bringing him to the patriarchal see, certain azats asked the following question: "You are an old man made feeble by severe ascetic practices, why have you consented to accept [the duties of] the patriarchal office?" 14. In reply to their question he answered: "I shall go in order to have skillful artists paint my portrait on the wall of the cathedral with the other patriarchs." 15. It happened as he had predicted; for he lived no longer than one year, and died. He was buried with his ancestors, while his image was set forth in the holy church. 16. After Sotomon they set on the patriarchal throne Georg from the district of Aragacotn. 17. The Hagarites completely dominated and subdued the Armenian people, and the numbers of the nobility of the land decreased—while those that survived remained quiet and subservient to their sway—as a result of this, accounts concerning our princes of this period are missing from the present History [of Armenia]. 18. But if there be any information perchance available, you will find it adequately treated by our predecessor the historian Shapuh.
19. After Georg they set on the patriarchal throne Yovsep' who was from the district of Aragacotn and the congregation of Saint Grigor. 20. During the pontificate of this patriarch, a certain governor (ostikan) named Khuzaima (Xuzima) came to the city of Dvin and tyrannized his subjects. 21. He noted the beauty of the superb estates (dastakert) of the katholikosate, that is to say, Artashat, Kawakert and Horovmoc' Marg together with their fields (agarak). Led astray by his wicked desires and demonic avarice, he exerted great pressure on the patriarch Yovsep' to turn the large estates over to him as though against a payment in silver. [116] 22. However, the great man put his life on the line, and yielded in no way to the wicked and iniquitous proposals of the governor. 23. In his anger the governor imprisoned the man of God, and binding him with fetters, had him beaten with a club, so that out of fear he might hand over what the governor wanted. 24. However, the patriarch set at naught the toils that had come upon him, nor did he give a thought to being beaten with rods. On the contrary, he bravely endured [all the tortures], placing this in the hands of God. 25, When the governor saw his demands thus rejected by the patriarch, he had three sacks filled with treasures, and setting these on the heads of his servants, he displayed them to the public. He instructed the men to enter openly the quarters of the patriarch, but to bring the treasures back insidiously through the rear entrance. 26. Then he spread rumors that he had purchased the estates (dastakert), and releasing the man of God from his bonds, he sent him home. 27. Subsequently, despite the great determination, fortitude and effort displayed by the patriarch before the tribunal of justice, he barely saved the dastakerts of Kawakert and Horovmoc' Marg alone from the hand of the wicked governor. 28. And it was thus that [the katholikosate] was deprived of Artashat thereafter. 29. Due to such wicked feelings of resentment the governor always resorted to insidious plots against the patriarch. At his order, his servants seized the brother of the Great Yovsep', and putting him to death at the sources of the Mecamor River, cast his body into the lake which is to the north of these sources. 30. The patriarch Yovsep' died after a pontificate of eleven years. 31. He was succeeded on the Holy Throne by Dawit', who was from the village of Kakaz in the district of Mazaz.
6. But when Khalid learned their evil determination, he made the right choice, selecting as many as two thousand men, stout in heart and skilled in the use of arms, and immediately went forth to war against them. 7. Their [Sawada's] army was encamped along the bank of the Hurastan River, opposite the dastakert of Kawakert. 8. After Khalid had set upon them fiercely, and the two sides had clashed in battle, the forces [of Sawada] turned to flight before the army of Khalid, [whose men] caused much bloodshed among them by trampling them under the hoofs of their horses. 9. Sahak, lord of Siwnik', remained among the dead, while the sparapet Smbat and Sawada fled having barely saved their lives. The soldiers who survived the sword together with them all dispersed going their separate ways, 10. and Khalid returned again to the city of Dvin. 11. The great patriarch Dawit' had the body of Sahak lord of Siwnik' brought to the holy patriarchate, where he had it buried in a grave near the holy church. 12. After Sahak's death, his son Grigor, surnamed Sup'an, succeeded to the realm [of his father]. 13. Subsequently the patriarch's days were fulfilled and he died after a pontificate of 27 years.
14. Dawit' was succeeded by Yovhannes, who was from the village of Ovayk' in the district of Kotayk'. 15. After a period of eight years had elapsed from the time of his ordination, certain wicked calumniators from the very own household of the Katholikos uttered with malicious tongues evil slander concerning the blessed patriarch Yovhannes, just as the blessed virgin Susanna (Shushan) [had fared] formerly at the hands of the bitter elders, or Narcissus (Narkesos) at the hands of the iniquitous [118] and unfair witnesses, or even the Word of God Himself at the hands of Judas and the impious highpriests. 16. And as the commander (hramanatar) and presiding prince (ishxan ishxanac') of Armenia Bagarat Bagratuni happened to be near the Katholikos at that time, the unworthy and vain-tongued vilifiers of the man of God approached him and spreading their tongues around the land uttered their slanders before him. 17. Seduced by the diabolic tongues and venting hidden rancor, Bagarat treasured in his memory these foul slanders as words pleasing to his ears, and sent edicts to all not to accept the [authority of the] katholikos. In accordance with his audacity, he thought of setting up another patriarch. 18. When the great man Yovhannes was informed of the satanic afflictions [awaiting him at the hands] of the prince, he checked Bagarat with a stroke of the spiritual sword, and went into hiding at the headquarters of Saint Sahak, that is to say the monastery of the Caves, where he devoted himself in solitude to perpetual prayers. 19. When this matter became known to the great sparapet Smbat, to Grigor, lord of Siwnik', and to the remaining naxarars of Armenia, they came together and held a synod of bishops, where they realized with certainty the deceit uttered by the empty and venomous tongues of the wicked slanderers, whereupon, they reestablished the man of God in the Holy See. 20. Thereafter, the church of Christ, which had lost Her adornment due to the banishment of her bridegroom, flourished anew seeing him return to her covered with the nuptial veil.
21. Prince Bagarat was particularly dismayed, because the reestablishment of the patriarch was done without his consent, and since he did not accept his authority, he waited for the right time to set someone else in place of Yovhannes. 22. However, the wicked slanderers [of Yovhannes] all met a violent death brought upon them by the scourge of the stern wrath of God. One fell from a high cliff, and his body was cut to pieces on the crags, so that no bone remained in place. 23. Another fell from a high roof in the course of the night and thus perished through the smashing of his limbs. 24. A third one falling into the river was carried away by the torrent, and could not even be buried in a grave. 25-. Thus, by celestial ordinance terrible vengeance was exacted on them for their insolent tongues as an example to posterity, lest they should raise their sinful hands against the anointed of God.
26. Thereafter, the caliph Ja'far (Jap'r) sent to Armenia a governor by the name of Abu Sa'id (Apuset'). 27. As soon as the latter had reached the district of Taron, he immediately had prince Bagarat bound with fetters and sent him to the caliph. Because of his iniquitous [119] thoughts toward the blessed patriarch, the prince paid dearly for his crime as he deserved. 28. But the inhabitants of the Taurus mountain in accord with their seditious nature, gathered in one place, and uniting in a single body, suddenly fell in full force upon the governor Abu Sa'id and killed him seemingly in revenge for prince Bagarat to their [subsequent] damage. Then, the soldiers of Abu Sa'id were scattered to the winds and went to the caliph to bring him tidings of the disaster.
29. About this time, Grigor lord of Siwnik', who was called Sup'an, and Babgen, nahapet of Sisakan, quarrelled and levied forces to fight against one another. Sup'an was killed by Babgen, and Sup'an's son Vasak flatteringly surnamed Gabur, succeeded to the realm of his father.
30. When the caliph was informed of the murder of Abu Sa'id, he raised an army, mustered his forces, and dividing them into detachments, handed them over to one of his slaves called Bugha whom he sent to Armenia. 31. He gave [to the latter] strict orders to bind with fetters and bring to him all the princes and lords of the land, and especially to slay all of the ramik cavalry that had ventured to carry swords on their thighs or to raise weapons. 32. If, however, any of the more distinguished should embrace the faith of Muhammad, he should bring them with him. 33. Upon his arrival in the district of Taron with all his forces, Bugha struck the land like lightening. He had Ashot and Dawit' the children of Bagarat, who had been taken captive, immediately seized along with the rest of their kinsmen. After confining them in prison, he scattered his forces over the entire district [of Taron] and into the glens of the Taurus Mountain. 34. First, they mercilessly put to the sword the inhabitants of the gorges of the mountain, whom they had seized. 35. Then, having slain with the sword some of the grehik cavalry of the district, they seized the rest, and dragging them with ropes, brought them to the tyrant. 36. In accordance with the orders of the caliph, he segregated from the rest of the captives those that were handsome, brave, and healthy, in order to convert them to their impious faith, and ordered the rest of them to be put to the sword. 37. Thus, going round from one district to the other, he remained there for many days, until he had sent Prince Ashot and his brother Dawit' to the caliph along with their kinsmen. Then he departed from there and went to the region of Vaspurakan. 38. Although Ashot, the great prince of the Arcruni house, had taken measures to resist the violent Bugha with his warriors, yet, his naxarars were not of the same mind with him in this matter. 39. Thereupon, very much against his wishes he was compelled to go to Bugha, 40. who immediately seized him together with all of his kinsmen, and after a few days of confinement, sent them to the caliph with their wives and children. 41. Subsequently, he laid his hands on the districts, and gave orders to seize and bring to him every warrior that had taken sword in hand or raised a weapon. 42. As in the aforenamed regions, in Taron [120] as well, he performed the same atrocities. In a like manner, they segregated those of fine stature and the craftsmen from the rest in order to convert them to their faith, and put all the others [who fell short of these requirements] to the sword, covering the entire lower region with blood. 43. Bugha himself marched forth with the plundering troops, and reached the region of the capital city of Dvin.
44. When Smbat, the great sparapet of Armenia, saw the destruction brought about by Bugha, and the carnage wrought by the murderous sword which smote the peoples [of the above mentioned regions], he put his life at stake for the salvation of his land, and went to greet Bugha with numerous presents and gifts. 45. He was received by him with honor, and delivering himself in all matters to his will, he went before him as guide, and cleared the way, wherever he should wish to go. With great wisdom he was able to gain confidence of Bugha winning his vacillating and vain heart, so that the tyrant made the great sparapet his advisor and confidant.
46. And [in agreement] they marched forth together and entered into the city of Dvin. 47. There also he [Bugha] laid his hands on the adjacent districts and sent out plundering troops. Whenever the latter came across a body of soldiers that might have drawn their swords or raised their weapons they gave some of them as prey to the Ishmaelite sword, while they tied others by the neck with ropes and dragged them in this fashion before the tyrant. Here, once again he selected from all those whom [he had taken captive] in the region of Taron and the ones whom he had brought with him from Vaspurakan, and separating those of fine stature among the recent captives, he incarcerated them. 48. The rest they gave as prey to the merciless sword. As regards those in confinement, the decision was made to convert them swiftly to the faith of Muhammad, 49. but when the tyrant Bugha asked them to forsake Christ and to embrace their faith, with wonderful passion and determination they took upon themselves the choice of going to Christ, rather than the evanescent enjoyment of sin. 50. They demonstrated clearly, that "the sufferings we now endure bear no comparison with the splendor, as yet unrevealed, which is in store for us."51. Thereupon, [the mind of] the wicked tyrant was vehemently turned against the blessed, who were bound with fetters, confined in prison, showered with blows and starved, so that terrified by harsh travail, they might perhaps yield to the wishes of the tyrant. 52. Nonetheless, they bravely endured all insults, torments, racks and blows, until their bodies were completely wasted. 53. Thus, contemptuously setting at naught the anguish that they suffered, they underwent manifold torments and agonies, and confronted death with joy, because they were constantly invigorated by the stream of living water, which came from the side of Christ, and sprinkled over them. 54. When the tyrant saw that they were all resolute [121] and ready to die for their faith in Christ, he was full of indignation like a wicked beast. He ordered them put to the sword, not all at once, but to be destroyed gradually over many days. Like sheep they were driven to slaughter, so that they might have a change of heart and forsake [their faith]. 55. However, instead of renouncing the good in favor of the evil, they gave up the evil for the good because of their faith in God. 56. And thus, with great perseverence they withstood many torments, and became companions of the meritorious. They perished by the sword and were crowned by Christ.
57. Among them there were, in particular, seven men, whose leader was called Atom from the village of Orsirank' in the district of Aghbak. 58. And as they possessed joyful faces, handsome statures and skill in the use of arms, they did not kill them along with the rest. For they still hoped to be able to cast at least these into the pit of damnation. 59. They offered them many valuable gifts, treasures of gold and silver, and promised to give them villages and estates (gerdastan), as well as fame and glory at the royal court. 60. But the blessed revealed to them their determination in this matter, and like brave martyrs they were reinforced in their faith, considering that Christ was their life, in accordance with the Scriptures, and deeming death an advantage. 61. Thereafter the wrath of the tyrant raged more fiercely (against them). He ordered merciless instruments of torture to be applied to them, and bade that they be subjected to every kind of torment and agony, which the tongue is incapable of narrating and the pen is unable to describe. 62. But, the hope in the promise and love of Christ, and the joy of martyrdom relieved them of the unbearable burden of their afflictions. Thus, recognizing the unshakeable determination of the blessed, the tyrant ordered them hung on gibbets. 63. While they remained hanging as if from a cross, the blessed Atom heartened his comrades by entreating them vigorously [with the following words]: 64. "Brethren, be not afraid of temporary death; for even though we are suffering for Christ, we are in communion with the Living God." 65. Then, instead of his eyes, he lifted up his heart to the heavens and said: "Jesus Christ, my hope, I come as a pilgrim to the annual feast of the great martyr George (Georg) to offer a scapegoat as a sacrifice to the glory of Thy Name. Henceforth, in place of the scapegoat I shall offer myself as a sacrifice to you. Thou, Who receivest sacrifices, accept the burnt offering of mine own self. Join me and those who are with me to the numbers of Thy blessed martyrs, who loved the day of Thy coming." 67. Thus, having suffered the torments of the great struggle with much perseverence, and having surmounted all the difficulties, they gave up their spirit and received from Christ the [122] crown of immortality. 68. Although the congregation of the Christians was grieved at the slaughter of the blessed of God by the merciless sword, yet, they received much praise from Christ in the hand of the martyrs.
69. All of the aforenamed saints, the former as well as the latter, were martyred in the 302nd year of the Armenian (of Togarmah) era [A.D. 853], altogether more than one hundred and fifty men, not including those who were sacrificed for the faith in other districts and cities, and whose names are also inscribed in the Register of Life.
70. The great patriarch Yovhannes designated a memorial day for all of these saints; the anniversary of their death was honored every year on the 25th day of the month of Mehek[an] to the glory of the almighty God. 71. Among them there were some, who could not withstand the struggle, and becoming disheartened they turned back to the impious religion of the Ishmaelite tyrant. By forsaking their Christian faith at the instigation of the satellites of Satan, they but covered themselves with the ashes of the furnace. Saddened, pale and disgraced, perhaps also incapable of coping with their worldly needs, they lost their name and eternal life, which is the highest and the most glorious honor, and immediately became heirs to the flames of Hell.
8. At this time the great patriarch Yovhannes, who was visiting the prelacy of the district of Geghark'unik', reached the end of his days and died in the [main] abode of the great congregation of Mak'enoc'k'. He was buried on the same holy premises. Yovhannes had occupied the patriarchal see for a period of twenty-two years.
9. The tyrant Bugha carried away [with him] those that had been captured and were kept in confinement. He marched to the eastern regions, after he had dispatched urgent orders to the sparapet Smbat to follow immediately after him and come to carry out their task. 10. The latter first ordered the calling of a synod of bishops in the komopolis of Erazgawork', and they ordained as patriarch Zak'aria from the village of Dzag in the district of Kotayk'. Putting himself under the protection of his prayers Smbat then went to the tyrant Bugha. 11. Meanwhile Bugha went and seized the great prince Atrnerseh, who lived in the fortress of Xachen, together with the rest of his kinsmen. 12. From there he set out to go to the district of Gardman, where he laid siege to the fortress of Gardman, and seized Ktrich, the prince of the land, whom he bound with fetters. 13. Thence he marched forth into the province (gawar) of Uti and captured in the village of Tus Step'annos, also named Kon, whose people were called Sewordik' from the name of his ancestor Sewuk. 14. Subsequently, he also deceived Esayi, prince of Albania and seized him together with his relatives. The remaining lords and princes of the land of Albania were likewise subjugated by him; there was much bloodshed in that land as well. 15. Thereafter, they brought to him all the prisoners that were in bonds and in confinement, and he carried them away with him to the caliph. 16. He likewise brought with him to the royal court the sparapet Smbat with the promise that in return for his faithfulness the caliph would grant the lordship over all of Armenia as compensation, give him royal gifts and honors, and thus send him back to his land. 17. But when they had reached the royal court, and appeared before the caliph, they ranked him along with the rest of the prisoners and confined him in prison. Nor did they remember his faithful services to them. 18. After a few days, all the imprisoned lords and princes of Armenia and Albania were given the alternative either of converting to their impious faith by foresaking the worship of Christ, [124] and thus having received many gifts and honors from them, returning to their native lands and homes, or of being cut short of any hope of life through merciless torments, agonies and horrible death. 19. As they relentlessly terrified them day after day with threats of cruel torments and prolonged their anguish, some of them conformed to the royal orders, and embraced their ungodly faith. Others agreed to fulfill the wishes of the caliph at the appropriate time, even though they were not circumcised immediately.
20. The great sparapet Smbat, however, arming himself with the truth, stood bravely against the falsehood as became the excellency of his ancient years, his perfect faith in Christ and the hope for eternal life, which he always stored within himself. In no way did he go astray and follow their orders, as he deemed it better to die with Christ rather than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. 21. To those who asked he answered that it was impossible for him to forsake the Christian faith which he had received as a precious gift through the grace of baptism and to embrace a foreign, impious belief. He fearlessly opposed them thus not once or twice, but many times.
22. After they had tested his will, and recognized his unshakeable mind, they decided to destroy him by means of merciless torments. 23. Yet, heavenly Providence chose to liberate his soul from eternal damnation through the necessary price of corporeal death, so that dying a natural death, he was not stained with the guilt of forsaking the holy laws of Christ. Like a martyr he fulfilled within his flesh the manifestation of justification. 24. The assembly of Christians carried away his body with psalmody, songs of praise and spiritual chants, and buried him in the martyrium of the holy prophet Daniel, where the latter had been cast into the lions' den. 25. After Smbat, his son Ashot succeeded to his father's extensive realm.
26. Of the remaining princes I know of no one who did not disobey God, or did not go astray into the impious faith of Muhammad. 27. Because they were terrified by the horror of transitory death, they failed to consider the bitterness of eternal damnation, and did not heed the awesome tidings proclaimed by Christ the Saviour which shall be heard at the Last Judgment: "Whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven."
28. Only Step'annos, colloquially called Kon by the ramik, whom Bugha had taken in bonds to the royal court after the Armenian naxarars, suffered martyrdom, after he had been tortured by many blows for confessing the name of Christ. The Father of Light crowned him and his name was inscribed in the Register of Life. His death took place in the 608th year of the Roman era.
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