Vardan Mamikonean

Also: St.Vardan, Prince, Sparabet of Armenia. In 451, he headed the famous uprising of the Armenian nobles against Persia known as Vardanank. The Persian king Yezdiguert II invaded Armenia to destroy Christianity and to convert Armenia into Zoroastrianism. The deciding battle took place on May 26, 451 in Avarayr place of the Artaz canton, in Vaspurakan. Vasak Siouni, an Armenian Prince-traitor was fighting for the Persians. Vardan among many other Armenian nobles fell in the battle. He was then canonized and the day of the Saint Martyrs of Avarayr is celebrated in the Armenian Church to this day.

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