Page:The History of Armenia - Avdall - Volume 1.djvu/244

 'Was a man distinguished for exttaordiftary sua- vity, virtue, and piety, and could not resist the ■entreaties of Nierses. He therefore agreed to iSielatter's proposals, and havingreceived the tri- bute and hostages, with a letter which Arsaces wrote on the occasion to Valens the emperor, hfe prepared toreturn to Constantinople. Theodosius earnestly begged the holy man to accompany him; the latter, after some hesitation, consented, and they commenced theit journey. Nierses ap- pointed his deacon, Khad, whom he had lately consecrated bishop of Bagrevand and Arsaru^ nians, to preside over the church during his ab- sence. On the arrival of the general and the saint a. d. 378. at the court of the emperor, the former commu- nicated the peace he had concluded with the Armenians, and presented th& letter of Arsaces. But Valens was extremely angry when he learned the line of conduct'which Theodosius had adopt- ed, and refused to seethe holy Nierses, whom he immediately sent into banishment. The Arme- nian hostages he ordered to be put to death. Theodosius supplicated the emperor to recal lis cruel orders; and prevailed upon him so far as to obtain the lives of the prisoners; but nothing that he could urge in behalf of St. Nierses, had forthwith, put on board ship, to proceed to the ^pot appointed for his exile. It was the winter
 * he least effect on Valens. The blessed saint was,

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