Page:The History of Armenia - Avdall - Volume 1.djvu/314

 sboald be protected in the exercise of their religion ; but if they decided on war, his expe- dition was ready to commence hostilities. By the^e wilful falsehoods, the execrable Vasak destroyed the union which had subsisted be- tween the Georgians, Aluans, and Armenians. Mihrnerseh, having observed that Vasak was actually ^ncere in his treachery, and that through his means the wishes of Hazkert had been realized, made over his large army to the command of the Persian general Mushcan Neusalavurt, directing him to act according to the desires of the prefect, and then went into Persia. When he was introduced into the pre- sence of the Persian monarch, instead of praising the zeal of Vasak, be represented him as a dangerous and detestable character. The brave and noble Vardan, remarking the iniquity of Vasak, and the vast warlike preparations of the Persians, spread his emissaries throughout Armenia, inviting his countrymen to join his standard in defence of the faith. By this means his army swelled to 66,000 men, who gathered together in the city of Artashat, devoting them- selves to death for their religion, and for the glory and honour of Christ and his church. St. Joseph, the pontiff, and Isaac, the bishop of the Rush- tunians, with Levond the priest, and many others of the clergy also repaired to that city, to join

�� �