Armenian History
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The Golden Age of Faith--407-1000
433. The linguistic scholars later numbered among the “Holy Translators” complete the translation of the Bible into Armenian.
444. The Council of Shahabivan is held, during which the earliest Armenian canons (church laws) are produced.
449. The Armenian Church holds a Council at Ashtishat in response an the edict of Yazdegird II, King of Kings of the Sasanian Persia Empire, ordering the Armenians to convert to Zoroastrianism.
451. Led by Vardan Mamikonian and the priest Ghevond Erets, the Armenians battle the Persians at Avarair, in what becomes known as the Vartanantz war—an early battle in the struggle for freedom of conscience. Because of the war, the Armenians are unable to attend the ecumenical Council of Chalcedon. This Council declares that Jesus Christ has two distinct natures, divine and human, existing inseparably in one person; the Armenian Church becomes one of several ancient churches to adhere to an earlier formulation by St. Cyril of Alexandria: “One is the nature of the Incarnate Word.”
484. After fighting a successful guerilla war under Vardan Mamikonian’s nephew, Vahan, the Armenians sign the Treaty of Nvarsak with the Persians. The treaty recognizes the right of the Armenians to practice Christianity freely.
607/08. The Armenian Church formally rejects the Christology of the Council of Chalcedon. This places the Armenians (along with the Syrian Orthodox, Ethiopian Orthodox, Coptic and Indian (Malabar) churches) in opposition to the emerging “orthodoxy” of the Western and Byzantine churches. The latter anathematize the so-called “monophysite” churches.
685. The Byzantine Emperor Justinian II attempts to force the Armenian Church to join the Byzantine Church. He invades Armenia when the Armenians refuse.
737. Prince Vahan Goghtnatsi, raised as a Muslim in the Caliph’s court, is executed by the Arabs for renouncing Islam in favor of Christianity.
862. The khatchkar (cross-stone) reaches its artistic pinnacle around this time.
931. Catholicos Stepanos II Rshtouni transfers the catholicate to the island of Aghtamar, the royal seat of the Artsruni Kingdom of Vaspurakan.
947. Catholicos Anania moves the Holy See from Aghtamar to Argina (near Ani). During Anania’s pontificate, monasteries such as Sanahin, Haghpat, Horomos and Narek are built.
951. Birth of Grigor Narekatsi, considered to be the greatest mystical poet of the Armenian Church, best known for his “Book of Lamentations.”
988. King Smbat II Bagratuni lays the cornerstone for the cathedral of Ani.
989/90. Gagik I becomes king. Under his reign, the Bagratuni capital of Ani reaches its zenith and is renowned as “the city of 1001 churches.” Armenian architecture enters its golden age, with its influences reaching as far, perhaps, as western Europe.
992. Catholicos Sargis I Sevantsi moves the catholicate from Arkina to Ani.
