HISTORY OF THE BUZANDARAN The "Buzandaran" refers to the Epic Histories attributed to P'awstos Buzand.

PROLOGUE TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE WORK

This is the third in our series of writings on history: the chronological canons of the books, and along with this, three other writings, meaning these four volumes. The four are records of the same events, reminders of the histories of the nations of the Armenian land, the sons of Torgom the biblical progenitor of the Armenians. This is the order of past events, deeds, and lives until the departure from this world of the holy priests of God, the kings who were lords of the Arshakuni Arsacid dynasty lands, and the commanders, the men who were famous brave nobles. It covers peace and war, building and destruction, justice and lawlessness, piety and wickedness. It is a chronicle created from the reign of Khosrov Khosrov III, King of Armenia, son of Trdat Tiridates III, the king who converted Armenia to Christianity, until the other final time of the failing kings of the Armenians. It spans from the pontificate of Vrtanes Vrtanes I, son of Gregory the Illuminator, son of Gregory Gregory the Illuminator, the first pontiff, until those in the latter days who were the chief bishops of the Armenians, one by one in order, by counts and numbers, canonized, stamped, and depicted by each chapter. And I have grafted the four promises of the four books into their respective chapters until the end, for the benefit of those who wish to understand with their hearts and minds what I am about to say.