History of Armenia, by Father Michael Chamich; from B. C. 2247 to ...

ftlSTORY OF ARMINlA. 257
some mention before. At the end of six years
Joseph was consecrated a bishop, when he was
enabled to discharge fully the duties incumbent
on a pontiff. Shortly after this, he held a
meeting in Shahapivan, A. D. 447, when he established
twenty canons, with suitable penalties
attached to the breach of them, for the better
administration of the spiritual affairs of the
people.*
About this time Ilazkert the Second ascended
the throne of Persia, and meditated the conversion
of the Armenians, Aluans, and Georgians,
to the worship of fire, to which he was much
instigated by the suggestions of his vizier Mihrnerseh.
^Vhile the king was revolving his
projects in his bosom, Varazvalan, the son-inlaw
of Vasak the Seunian, with whom he had
ciuarrelled, left Armenia and came into Persia.
When he was informed of the king's desire, he
immediately abjured his faith, and embraced
the religion of the Persians, expecting to obtain,
through his apostacy, great power and influence.
He waited on the vizier Mihrnerseh, and urged a. d. 442,
the instant commencement of the attempt to
convert his countrymen.
Mihrnerseh, inflamed
by his words, proceeded to the king, and irritated
the mind of the monarch still more with a
desire to accomplish his designs.
• See Hi-t. Book III, c. 2.
11
Hazkert then,