Feast of Saint Vartan – February 27, 2025

History of Feast of Saint Vartan

As per Armenian tradition, Saint Vartan, also known as Vardan Mamikonian, was a descendant of Saint Sahag. His lineage can, reportedly, be traced all the way back to Saint Gregory the Illuminator. However, despite his family history, he did not enter the priesthood and instead decided to become a soldier instead. He eventually rose to the position of the head of the Mamikonian clan and gained the respect of the King of Persia as the commander-in-chief of all of the Armenian armies. He was not only a fierce, disciplined soldier, but also a devout Christian.

Though the Persians initially allowed the Armenians to practice Christianity, they began to reconsider as Armenians displayed increasing zeal for the faith. King Yazdegerd II eventually imposed heavy taxes on the Armenians and pressured them to abandon their faith and convert to Zoroastrianism. This caused what came to be known as the Battle of Avarayr.

The Battle of Avarayr was fought on June 2, 451, on the Avarayr Plain. Saint Vartan led the Armenian forces. Though he was martyred during the battle and the Persian forces won, it was a pyrrhic victory. The battle became known as one of the first battles defending the Christian faith. Saint Vartan’s involvement in the battle rendered him a national hero. According to Arshag Chobanian, “To the Armenian nation, Vartan is the most beloved figure, the most sacred in their history, the symbolical hero who typifies the national spirit.” Statues of the martyr can be found all over the national capital, Yerevan.