Page:The History of Armenia - Avdall - Volume 1.djvu/327

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��294 HISTORY OF ARMENIA.

mAny sermons and collects, and his prayers are the most excellent in use with the Arme* nians. He also wrote many essays, alike distinguished for their sound sense and exem*^ plary piety. During the sway of these pontiffs, we have, last noticed, saints Eiishey, Moses Chorenensis, and sbme others, were still in exis- tence, but seeing the dreadful disorders that pervaded the country, they retired some to convents, others to deserts, where they engaged themselves in religious studies, and in composing and tlranslating various books. For particulars of which see History Book II, c. 60«

��CHAPTER V.

��The exploits of Vahan the Mamicanian.

A. D.466. HiMAYAK, the brother of Vardan the Great, had four sons, Vahan, Vasak, Artaces, and Yard. The last, as we have befok'e remarked, resided in the country of the Taics, the other three were in the frontiers of the Gugars. The three brothers, on hearing of the restoration of the faithful Armenian chiefs to their country, quitted Gugars, and returned to Taron their birth-place. ' Here they grew in wisdom and valour, and became esteemed by all who knew them. Vahan, the eldest, however, outshone th»

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