Page:The History of Armenia - Avdall - Volume 1.djvu/367

 324 HT8T0IIT OF ARlfENIil.

A.D.487. Babken, from the village of Otbmis, in the province of Vanand, a disciple of Johan Man* dakunian, succeeded to the pontifical chair. Two years after, the relics of St. Gregory, the pontiff of the Alaans, were discovered by Va- ehacan^ king of that people. Some short time after, the relics of St. Elishey, a disciple of St. Thaddeus the apostle, were also foand among the Alaans.

During the pontificate of Babken, the two bishops, Abraham of the Mamicontans and Mushey of the Seunies flourished. The former composed, at the request of king Yachacan, several valuable treatises, particularly one which treats of the veneration due to holy relics and departed souls. The latter possessed emi- nent talents. His disciple and successor, Peter, bishop of the Sesnies, became more celebrated than his master. At the request of Vachacad, mentioned above, he vifrote many beautiful treatises ; few however have been banded down to us.

A.D.490. While Armenia was thus enjoying a little tranquillity, after the dreadful commotion which had so recently shaken her, some of the followers of Eutyches, endeavouring to bring the cooiKnl of Cbalcedon into disrepute, represented that it had received the doctrines of Nestorius. The partizans of this arch-heretic also endeavoured

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