History of Vardan and the Armenian War

Indeed, this, by reading, is for those contemplating from childhood a model of composition and an idea of Armenian style. Truly, in it appears great faith and the power of great faith, very much love and the effect of very much love, much hope and the confirmation of much hope, and complete sincerity, which is evident to those reading it many times.

For which reason he desired to bring this treasure-like and golden book to light, so that all, by deciphering it, might become skilled, and become zealous for the various virtues of our holy fathers and martyrs.

Now, remember in Christ in your pure prayers the aforementioned Abraham vardapet Astapattsi, together with his spiritual and physical parents and brothers. Along with whom, deem also worthy of remembrance the proofreader of this volume, the scholarly tiratsu lay reader/cleric Stepanos Petrosean from Akn, and the tiratsu Petros of Constantinople, who read the original prototype of the book to the proofreader for his hearing. Also the tiratsu Melkiset, the draftsman of this colophon, who bore no small labor in traveling for the printing of this book. May the Lord adorn them with His greater grace and keep them in the bosom of the holy church, Amen.

Finally, remember also the printer of this, the son of the late Astvatsatur, the indebted scribe Hovhannes, together with his very laborious son, the tiratsu Karapet, the compositor of the lead letters, selling them for the service of those who seek, in place of himself, by the grace of the Lord.

And also the hard-working laborer of his workshop, the son of Lord Poghos, the tiratsu Kirakos of Manazkert. So that the Lord our Christ himself may remember them all in good at his second coming, according to his great mercy, to whom with the Father and with the Holy Spirit be glory forever, Amen.

End.

This first printing is designated in our publication with the letter S¹.

2. The second printing was in the year 1236 (= 1787) in St. Petersburg, size 15 x 9 (printed area 11 x 6) cm.

The book consists of 413 pages. The copy in Venice is, undoubtedly, defective; for that reason, E. A. Ghazikean writes: "...The pages of this printing of Miansaryants will be 413; I do not know why" (New Bibliography, page 571).

The title is: > "Book which is called Yeghishe's Book of History, composed by the diplomatic or 'learned' and ascetic holy vardapet Yeghishe, disciple of our holy translators Isaac and Mesrop. In which are fully narrated the martyrdoms of the holy Vardanian commanders of the Armenians and the Ghevondian holy priests."

Reprinted in the seventh year of the patriarchate of the light-bearing mother of our holy throne of Etchmiadzin, Lord Ghukas, the most holy Catholicos of All Armenians.

By order of the princely Lord Hovsep, holy archbishop and prelate of the Armenian nation who are under the rule of the Russians.