CHAPTER IX.
RELIGIOUS PERSECUTIONS OF THE PAST AGES.
After conversion to Christianity the history of the Armenian nation has become largely the history of the church; for, being situated beyond the frontiers of christendom, they suffered constant persecution from the surrounding heathen nations, and the State was obliged to defend the church at any cost.
1. Persecution From Persians. Towards the middle of the fifth century as it was mentioned in the first chapter, Armenia had lost its national independence, and one part of it was ruled by Persians, though in a provincial system. The Persians who were bigoted Zoroastrian fire worshipers, aimed at this time the conquest and the conversion of the world. Accordingly, in 450 A.D. the Persian King dictated a letter to the Armenian princes setting forth the superiority of fire worship to Christianity, and inviting the whole nation to accept it. Upon this threatening invitation a great council was held, in which clergy and laymen sat together and a unanimous reply of refusal was decided upon. The exact copy of that remarkable answer was preserved by one of the bishops who signed it. After intelligibly refuting the false arguments of the Persian King against Christianity, they said in conclusion: "From this faith no one can move us, neither angels nor men, neither sword nor fire, nor water nor any deadly
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