History of Armenia, by Father Michael Chamich; from B. C. 2247 to ...

PREFACE.
XXXVU
tries, and released Armenia from the yoke of the
Seleucidee.
Hence arose the kingdom of the Arsacidee,
under whose government Armenia shone with peculiar
lustre 'for nearly six centuries. So many prosperous
circumstances are comprised in this part, and so
happy was Armenia ui a civil and religious point ot
view, that all regard it as the brightest period of Armenian
history.
The Arsacian kings highly distinguished
tliemselves in their wars with the Jews, the Romans,
the Greeks, the Persians, and other aspiring foes, who
were tempted by a thirst of conquest to invade
Armenia. Christianity at this era tirst rose on the
horizon of Armenia by the mission of St, Thaddeus
the Apostle, who hrst preached the word of God
in the country, and converted king Abgar, whose
bright example was joyfully imitated by several of his
subjects. The ecclesiastical history of Armenia takes
its date from the beginning of the fourth century, when
St. Gregory the Illuminator flourished, who by his
zealous exertions succeeded in converting thousands of
the population to Christianity. The pontificate of Armenia
originated in St. Gregory, and has continued to
the present day.
The building of churches, the invention
of the x\rmenian letters, the version of the Holy Scriptures,
the establishment of schools, the cultivation of
literature, the foundation of convents and monasteries,
have marked this period with many memorable and
delightful recollections. Under these favourable circumstances
Armenia for a long time enjoyed prosperity
in her political and religious affairs. Time, however,