History of Vardan and the Armenian War

This publication is the second printing of the first, identical and uncritical, so uncritical that in printing the "Brief Index of this Holy Book" on pages 397—405, it did not realize that it was necessary to adjust the page numbers of the indicated sections to its own printing. Instead, it listed the pages of the first printing, as a result of which the indicated material cannot be found on any of the listed pages, since the first printing has 220 pages, while this second printing has 413 pages.

Different, of course, is only the "Colophon of the Publisher" section on pages 410—413, in which it is requested to "remember in prayers" the "pious and multi-talented noble Mr. Margar of the noble Manicharyan family from New Julfa"—naming names of parents, brothers, spouse, living and deceased children, etc. Then it is revealed that the owner and worker of the printing house, Mr. Grigor Khaldaryan of Julfa, died on August 8, 1787, and the work was completed by his son, Mr. Mkrtum.

This printing has no value from a textual standpoint, and therefore its readings are not included in our publication.

Regarding this printing, it is necessary to clarify the following as well. A. Ghazikyan correctly notes (ibid., p. 571) that it is unlikely there was an edition of Eghishe in Petersburg in 1774. Neither Miansaryants nor Gr. Khalatyants mention that printing.

The supposed printing of 1787 in New Nakhichevan must also be considered the result of a misunderstanding. In all probability, if an edition with such a title page actually exists, it is the same edition described above, which its publisher, Hovsep Arghutyan, deemed important to publish in New Nakhichevan, the city with the largest Armenian population in his diocese, by changing the title page.

3. The third edition was in Calcutta in 1816. See: Bibliography.

4. The fourth edition was in Constantinople in the Armenian year 1272 (=1823) and consists of 239 pages.

The title is:

History of the Martyrdom of the Holy Vardanants and the Ghevondian Priests, composed by the highly renowned Eghishe, Vardapet and Archbishop of the Amatunis, and disciple of our blessed translators, Saint Sahak and Mesrop.