Page:The History of Armenia - Avdall - Volume 1.djvu/153

 108 HISTORY OF ARMENIA.

��CHAPTER Vlli.

The Reigns of Ananey and of Sanatruk.

A.D.34. ^^^ kingdom of Armenia, after the death of king Abgar, of happy memory, fell into various disorders and divisions, in consequence of the crown being assumed by Ananey the son of the deceased monarch, and Sanatruk the nephew of the latter. Both reigned at the same time in opposition to each other. Ananey, having fixed his seat of government in Edessa, apostatized from the faith he had so lately embraced, and endeavoured to persuade his people to follow his example; he re-opened the temples of ancient superstition, and publicly worshipped the idols which they contained. He sent to Addey, the first bishop consecrated in Armenia^ directing him to make a diadem for him as he had done for his father. The bishop replied, '' My hands shall never make a diadem for the head that bows not in adoration of Jesus Christ r' The king, incensed at this, ordered Addey 's feet to be cut off, by which the holy

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