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

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HISTORY OF ARMENIA.
281
other in the practice of every christian virtue, and
became eminent for the piety their conduct
evinced. Their hearts, however, were oppressed,
when, on looking around, they observed many of
the other chiefs, with the view of courting the favour
of the Persians, openly worshipping the sun,
and erecting temples for the adoration of fire.
A circumstance which had a powerful tendency
to extend the evil was, the power which
some of these unworthy chiefs attained by
their apostacy. Other individuals, seeing the
advantages to be obtained by embracing the
Persian religion, followed the example set
them by those whom we have noticed.
They, however, suffered in other respects :
for
in renouncing their religious faith, it appeared
by their
actions as if they had renounced every
virtue that distinguishes one man above another
they
became so base and cowardly, that king
Phiroz often said, " In my dominions I
find the
Armenians more worthless than the Syrians."
While the Armenians were in this condition,
the Huns made incursions into the resions about
Arzakh,
where they committed dreadful cruelties,
on account of reli;^ion. They martyred
Athanas, the pupil of St. Isaac, and a lady of
the name of Regina, but miracles having followed
their deaths, many of the Huns were converted,
and afterwards suffered martyrdom.*
* See Hist. Book III, c. 18.
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