PRBFACC. XXXVU
tiies, and released Armenia from the yoke of the Seleucidae. Hence arose the kingdom of the Arsacidae, under whose government Armenia shone with peculiar lustre for nearly six centuries. So many prosperous circumstances are comprised in this part, and so happy was Armenia in a civil and religious point of view, that all regard it as the brightest period of Ar* menian history. The Arsacian kings highly distinguished themselves in their wars with the Jews, the Romans, the Greeks, the Persians, and other aspiring foes, who were* tempted by a thirst of conquest to invade Armenia. Christianity at this era first rose on the horizon of Armenia by the mission of St. Thaddeus the Apostle,' who first preached the word of God in the country, and converted king Abgar, whose bright example was joyfully imitated by several of his subjects. The ecclesiastical history of Armenia takes its date from the beginning of the fourth century, when St. Gregory the Illuminator flourished, who by hifli zealous exertions succeeded in converting thousands of the population to Christianity. The pontificate of Ar- menia originated in St. Gregory, and has continued to the present day. The building of churches, the invention of the Armenian letters, the version of the Holy Scrip- tures, the establishment of schools, the cultivation of literature, the foundation of convents and monasteries, have marked this period with many memorable and delightful recollections. Under these favourable cir- cumstances Armenia for a long time enjoyed prosperity lA her political and religious affairs. Time, however.
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