Page:The History of Armenia - Avdall - Volume 1.djvu/41

 PREFACE.

the Greeks, by the irruptions of the Persians, the Egyp- tians, and several other aspiring foes, to whom Armenia WM in turn tributary. The Reubenian monarchy was destroyed by the Egyptians, who made Leo, the last king of Armenia, prisoner^ and from that time royalty was lost to Armenia.

The seventh and last part contains an account of the expatriation of the Armenians and of the state of the church to the year 1780. The irruptions of Tamerlane, the cruelties of Shah Abas, the inroads of the Turks, and of several other neighbouring foes, have rendered Armenia almost a total waste, having stripped her of all that was good and great. The ambitious and factious proceedings of the patriarchs of Constantinople, combined with the infamous juntoes of the Thulthulians, the Jahukians and the Tivrikians, and the turbulent spirit of other corrupt clergymen of Armenia, have placed a stigma on the Armenian church which can scarcely ever be removed, and poured scandal on the memory of the Holy St. Gregory the Illuminator. The saying of our blessed Saviour is truly verified in the depraved conduct of these unworthy ministers of the Gospel, '* My house shall be called the house of prayer ; but ye have made it a den of thieves.''

Lastly, with a view to satisfy the curiosity of the reader, who will be naturally inclined to be put in possession of some information respecting the events that have passed in Armenia since the year 1780, I have thought it necessary to append to this volume a eontinuation of the history down to the present day.

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