Page:The History of Armenia - Avdall - Volume 1.djvu/209

 164 HISTQHT OF AEMENIA^*

assembled bis clergy and cbaunted a grand Te Deum.* A.D.331. From tbis period Saint Gregory withdrew himself from all intercourse with men, and retiring into Upper Armenia, took up his abode in a cavern in Mount Sepuh. Here he lived, more like an incorporate cherub than a carnal creature, until his final departure from this life to inherit the reward of the righ- teous, — joys unutterable. The whole time of his superintendence of the Armenian church was thirty years, reckoning to the period of his final seclusion. Some few years after, his body was found by a hermit named Garnick, who was directed to the spot where it lay by divine revelation. His remains were at first placed in Thordan, but afterwards transported to the city of Valarshapat. Aristakes, or Rustakes, the youngest son of Gregory, on the retiremeift of his father, sat in the pontifical chair, agreeably to the commands of the latter. He governed the Armenian church with prudence and holi- ness; he built a number of churches and con- vents, and made many laudable improvements in the spiritual affairs of the people. He was unremittingly zealous in the discharge of his functions, admonishing without distinction the prince and the peasant, when their conduct was


 * Sm ^ist B. II, c. 40.

��A. D. 332.

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