HISTORY OF THE CHURCH

...of Christ; along with these, and whatever events occurred during that time among the Jewish people, because of their audacity which they dared against our Savior. And again, of what kind or in what way or at what times the Gospel of Christ endured wars and persecutions from the pagans, and who they were who were martyred original: "նահատակեցան" (nahatakets'an) — to contend as a champion or to be martyred. through blood and tortures for its sake; and concerning the witnesses original: "վկայիցն" (vkayitsn) — "witnesses," the literal meaning of the Greek "martys." who appeared in our days, and concerning the mercy of God and His compassion toward us—I have desired to record these in writing. I shall begin this account from no other source but the divine dispensation Divine dispensation: From the Armenian "տնտեսութենէ" (tntesut'enē), translating the Greek "oikonomia," referring to God's plan for the salvation of humanity through Christ’s life and ministry. of God and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

But here, the work itself begs for indulgence from the kind readers, for I confess it is difficult and beyond our strength to fulfill what we have promised perfectly and without flaw. For we are the first to venture upon this, as if onto an untrodden and trackless path. Therefore, we seek God Himself as the guide of this way, and the helping power of our Lord as our assistant. For here, one cannot find even the footprints of men who have cut this same path before us, except for certain small fragments original: "նշխար" (nshkhar) — fragments, relics, or vestiges....

...at that same time among the Jewish people, because they were audacious and acted boldly against our Savior. And how, or in what way, and at what times the Gospel of God was persecuted by the pagans. And who the men were who at all times endured the wars of our Lord through tortures and flayings and the shedding of blood. And along with this, also concerning the witnesses who appeared in our days, and the help of the mercy of our Savior which has been with us at all times.

But although I desire to write this, it is right for me to begin the account from the first providence of our Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I pray that the wise among you may know from me that I confess this is beyond my power to fulfill this promise perfectly and completely. For we are the first to begin this discourse, like a man who travels upon an untrodden path. And we offer prayers that God might be our guide, and the power of our Lord might be our helper. For we have not found the footprints of other men who went before us upon this path, but only the brief accounts of some in their own times...