Tiridates the Great
King
of Armenia (286-344) The ancient authors describe him as a warrior king
with incredible physical power. Ally of Rome, he waged long and successful
wars against Persia, regaining control over many of the lost territories,
such as parts of Mesopotamia and Atrpatakan. In the beginning of his
reign, Tiridates was a fierce persecutor of the Christians. He arrested
and imprisoned Gregory the Illuminator; later he ordered to kill the
Christian virgins nuns Gayane and Hripsime. By 300, Tiridates turned
from a persecutor to the protector of the Christians. He released Gregory
who then baptized him. In 301, Tiridates proclaimed Christianity as
the sole religion in Armenia, making the country the first Christian
State in the history of the world.
Gates of Tiridates in Echmiadzin, in front of the residence of Catholicos.
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