Primary source · Armenian
The History of the Armenians
Agathangelos (Armenian tradition) · 5th century (of 4th-century events)
What this text is
The national epic of Armenia's conversion: Gregory in the pit of Khor Virap, king Tiridates's affliction and healing, and the kingdom baptized — the first state conversion in history.
Public-domain translations
After S. C. Malan's rendering (1868)
Gregory was cast into the deep pit and remained there thirteen years, kept alive by a widow's bread… And when the king was healed at his hand, Tiridates commanded all the land to turn to the worship of Christ, and the people were baptized in the Euphrates.
Manuscript witnesses
Matenadaran manuscripts and the Greek/Arabic versions
medieval copiesThe History in Armenian with early translations attesting lost recensions.
Provenance
Armenia, c. AD 460 — the national account of Gregory the Illuminator and Trdat
Editions & scholarship
Critical editions and standard translations behind the text above.
- Agathangelos: History of the ArmeniansRobert W. Thomson, 1976The standard English translation with facing Armenian.
- The Lives of Saint GregoryRobert W. Thomson, 2010The parallel recensions translated and compared.