Page:The History of Armenia - Avdall - Volume 1.djvu/332

 HISTORY OF ARIkfENrA.

power of God alone ; for which we pray to St. Gregory and the blessed martyrs to intercede for us; for we prefer instant death to the pain we feel in observing the daily disgraces put on our church/' When Vahan heard them talk of death, he felt more inspired with devotion to the cause, and was determined to shed every drop of his blood in defence of Christ and his faith. All being agreed, they prayed fervently for aid to the Almighty, and committed to his hands the issue of their enterprize. There being a priest of the name of Athik in their camp^ they called him, and made him administer to them an oath on the Holy Testament, that they would act according to the doctrines it contained, and cheerfully die in its defence. This being done, they retired to their tents. Unfortunately, the prediction of Vahan respecting treason in this affair was verified. One of the chiefs of the combined party, named Varazshapuhv from the tribe of the Amatunians, went that night to the camp of the Prefect, and disclosed the design to all who were there present. The men were confounded, and in the dawn of the morning, in haste and terror marched to the city of Ani, where they stopped during the day. In the following night they prosecuted their flight, and took refuge in the castle of Artashat. The united party, when they discovered the retreat of their

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