According to the tradition St. Abgar was the first Christian king of the 1st century, the son of the Parthian king Arshakunie Arsham. He was also called “senior man” as he was the wisest of all and of genius. Historian Moses of Khoronk, Assyrian historian Labubnia of Yedessia, Greek historians Procopis and Yeusebius have told about the king Abgar. He built the city of Yedessia in the site where the Armenian army protected the ford of the river Euphrates from the Roman captain Casius. Later the king moved the royal palace and all idols from Nisibis to that city.

It is during the period of reign of the king Abgar that Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, was born. And Abgar, who was incurable, becoming aware of the wonders worked by Christ, believed in Christ and by means of his delegates sent a letter-petition to Jerusalem, to the Savior, asking Him to come and heal him. In the response letter it was said, that Christ still had important things to do in Jerusalem, but He should send one of His disciples to the king to heal him. After the Ascension of the Savior Apostle St. Thaddeus came to Yedessia, healed the king Abgar, the sick, preached the Gospel and appointed Adde, the silk-weaver, to be his successor. Jesus had sent his portrait to Abgar and it was kept for a long time in Yedessia, and later in the churches of various cities and towns.

After that the king Abgar sent letters to the king Tiberius and the king Nerseh of Assyria exhorting them to admit Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Savior.
The king Abgar passed away probably in the first half of the 1st century.

 

Despite of their Greek names Eustratius, Ogsentius, Eugenius, Ovrestes and Mardairus are Armenians from the city Sebastia, where they have been subjected to persecutions and martyred during the period of reign of the kings Dioclethianus and Maximianus. Christians were subjected to especially severe torments in the remote districts of the country - in Armenia Minor and Cappadocia.

The military commander of the city Satakh, Armenia Minor, burnt Eustratius on the fire because he had called Lisia, who persecuted Christians, heathen and idolater. Priest Ogsentius, Eugenius - the friend of Eustratius, Mardarius - one of his servants, and a soldier named Ovrestes, who had a cross on his neck, were also subjected to severe torments and were martyred.

St. Kornelius was born in Caesaria. He was the Captain of an Italian regiment and he had believed in Christ and had become a true Christian. Apostle Peter had baptized him and the members of his family. He was called “Second Abraham” for being fair and honest-minded. He preached and worked wonders in Jerusalem. When he was already advanced in years he was subjected to torments and martyred. The sick have visited the saint’s tomb and have been healed.St. Shmavon was the nephew of Joseph, father of Jesus. After the death of James, brother of Jesus, he became the Bishop of Jerusalem. He was subjected to torments by king Trayanos and was crucified in Jerusalem at the age 120.The word “Polycarpus” means “fruitful” in Greek. St. Polycarpus was born in 70 AD and was one of the disciples of Evangelist St. John, who ordained him the Bishop of Smyrna in 96 AD. He has struggled against heretics. The emperor of Byzantine imprisoned him and forced him to renounce Christ, but Polycarpus refused to obey the emperor saying, “I have served Christ and I can’t renounce the Savior.” In 166 the executioners put his hands and feet into chains and burnt. One letter from Polycarpus addressed to Phrygians has been preserved which is the first document concerning the martyred Christians.During the lifetime of Polycarpus twelve Christians from Piratelpa came to Smyrna. They were called eastern martyrs as upon the order of the emperor they were thrown before the beasts.

According to the tradition Pontiff St. Ignatius was the happy child whom Jesus took in his arms, and appealing to the apostles said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt. 18:3). He was the disciple of the Apostles Peter and John, as well as the second Bishop of Antioch and was very popular in the East. During the period of reign of the king Trayanos he was imprisoned and accompanied by the soldiers was sent to Rome, where he was martyred in 113-117 voluntarily bringing himself sacrifice to the lions. He has written many letters addressed to various Christian communities, only seven of which have been preserved.

Pontiff St. Adde was the Bishop of Yedessia ordained by the Apostle St. Thaddeus. He was martyred upon the order of the heathen king in the second quarter of the I century.

Bishop St. Maruta was the Bishop of the city Nprkert of the Fourth Hayk. His father was Assyrian, and mother – Armenian. He was very popular in Persia and Byzantine. He has participated in the Second Ecumenical Council of Constantinople. As the envoy of the Theodos he was twice sent to the Persian King Hazkert to negotiate on stopping the Christians’ persecutions. He passed away in 422.

Bishop St. Theopompus and martyr St. Theovna have been martyred in the city of Nicomidia in 303, during the period of reign of the king Dioclethianus. Being Christian Bishop Theopompus opposed the king and didn’t worship the idols, for which he was thrown into the stove. However, the saint was saved by a miracle, and the king got angrier and put the saint into the prison. It was then that the king called the magus Theovna and asked him to win the saint by means of witchery. However, meeting the saint Theovna believed in Jesus Christ, for which he was buried in the deep pit still being alive, and Theopompus was beheaded.

Soldiers Sts. Basos, Eusebius, Eutikus and Basilides were also martyred in the city of Nicomedia in 303, during the period of reign of the king Dioclethianus. They were the soldiers who kept watch over St. Theopompus. Witnessing his patience and unshakeable faith in Christ they were converted to true faith and become Christians. Becoming aware of this fact, the king deprived them of all honors and wealth and put them into the prison. After severe torments the soldiers were martyred.

St. Indos was an eunuch in the royal palace of the king Dioclethianus in the city of Nicomidia, and St. Domna was the heathen priestess of the royal idols. Being acquainted with the Holy Bible, they were converted to Christianity and because of that were put into the prison. After being subjected to torments for a long time they were martyred in 305 AD.

During the period of reign of the king Dioclethianus on the Feast of Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ Christians of Nikomidia assembled in the church to pray. The king put an idol in the church and ordered everyone to worship the idol. Priest St. Glericus refused to obey the king’s order and because of disobeying be was subjected to torments and was martyred. The king got angry and ordered to burn the church. The twenty thousand Christians attending the ceremony were martyred in the Church in 303 AD.

Prophet St. David was the great-grandson of Boaz and Ruth. The Holy Bible depicts him as a psalmist, gifted, wise, handsome man and orator. He was a shepherd. During the battle against Philistines he killed the giant Goliath. After the death of Saul he became the king of Israel and founded the city Jerusalem. He is the author of the book of Psalms and one of the greatest and influential figures of the Old Testament. Special importance is accorded to the fact that he is the offspring of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

St. James, brother of Jesus, is the combining link between the Evangelical saints and the saints mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles. He is one of the important figures of the Initial Church and the first Bishop of Jerusalem. Jewish historian Hovsepius characterizes him as “righteous”.

According to hagiographical sources some people forced him to get on the tower and slander against Jesus. However, getting on the tower, he started to speak about Jesus the Messiah who sat on the right side of God and would come to judge the world fairly. Many people were converted, but others threw the saint down from the tower. According to the tradition St. James is buried in the Cathedral of St. James of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem. One letter from James has been preserved.

in order to symbolize the merging the Old and New Testaments in Christianity.
The Armenian Apostolic Church commemorates the memory of the Prophet St. David and Apostle St. James, brother of Jesus, during the main feasts preceding the Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

St. Stephen is one of the most beloved saints of the Universal Church, the first person martyred for the sake of Christ’s doctrine of love.

According to the hagiographical sources he was from the royal dynasty of Judas and was the son of law-abiding parents. Still a young man he was the servant of the chief priest Kayipaya. According to the same sources when the Lord was taken to home, Stephen took off the cloth from his head and spread it under the Lord’s feet thus expressing his true and sincere love. This naturally annoyed the chief priest and he turned Stephen out. Stephen witnessed the death and burial of the Lord but rejoiced with the apostles for the Glorious Resurrection of Christ. According to St. Gregory of Tatev he went to the apostles Peter and John and was baptized. At the moment of baptism an aureole (crown) appeared on the water. After that miraculous event he was called “Stephen” meaning (crowned). From the Acts of the Apostles it is known that after the Pentecost apostles served the tables and gave subsidies to the poor. From day to day increased the number of those who believed in Christ. As the apostles were unable to meet the needs of everybody, asked their disciples to choose 7 persons of good reputation for serving the tables. According to St. Luke the Evangelist one of them was St. Stephen, “… a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 6:5). By the power received from Christ apostles ordained him deacon. Thanks to his God-granted virtues and power Stephen worked wonders. Many people tried to argue with him, but no one was as wise as Stephen. So, some ill-willing persons persuaded some people to say that Stephen scolded God and the Prophet Moses. Inciting the people, the priests and the lawyers they took Stephen to the court. In his speech in his defense Stephen proved that Jesus was the promised Messiah, and reproached the Jews for their cruelty. He was stoned out of the city and his cloths were put before a man whose name was Saul and who later became the Apostle Peter. In the beginning he persecuted Christians but later he knew the true God – Jesus Christ, and became the most zealous preacher of the Gospel. St. Stephen was the first person martyred for the sake of Christ and that’s why he is called Protomartyr.

According to the tradition Gamaliel, the teacher of the Apostle Peter, and Nicodemus, his brother, who were secrete disciples of Jesus, buried the saint’s body in their farm. Soon a priest named Lukianus discovered the relics. And Pontiff Hovhan of Jerusalem put them in St. Sion. In the V century Princess Juliane found the saint’s tabernacle in Jerusalem and took it to Constantinople, and later – to Venice and buried it in the Church of St. George (St. Gevorg) island.

St. Peter was one of the 12 apostles of Christ. He was the brother of Andrew. He was one of the beloved apostles of Jesus and the witness of Our Lord’s transfiguration and the other important events related to Jesus. Peter was a fisherman. His name given during the circumcision was Shmavon, or Simon (in Greek). About this apostle for the first time was written in the Gospel according to John, “So you are Simon the son of John? You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter) (Jn 1:42). Peter was born in the village Bethsaida and later was moved to the town Capernaum where Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law. Peter is more famous from the part of the Gospel when he said that Christ was the Son of the living God. And Jesus stated that being the Savior of the world and the Son of God He would build His Church (See Mt 16:15-19).

During the night when Jesus was arrested Peter denied Jesus thrice and later deeply regretted for his deed. After the Pentecost it was Peter that explained to the people assembled what had happened and spoke about Incarnated Jesus. One of the important deeds of Peter was bringing the heathens to the church. Peter was arrested by the King Herod but escaped the prison by a miracle.

According to the tradition Peter was martyred in Rome and was crucified head-down. Two letters from Peter have been preserved.

St. Paul is the thirteenth Apostle of Our Lord Jesus Christ. He was born in the town Tarsus of Cilicia in the beginning of the first century. His parents were citizens of Rome who according to Heronimus had came from Galilee. First he studied in his native town and then he continued his education in Jerusalem, where his teacher was Gamaliel. Paul was a tent-maker by trade and this circumstance often helped him during the trips, when he earned his living by means of making tents. According to his own words Paul had been a Pharisee, had strictly obeyed the law and persecuted the Christians. However, on his way to Damascus Jesus appeared to Paul, after which Apostle Paul (whose name was initially Saul) became one of the greatest preachers of Christ’s commandments. He was baptized by the apostle Ananias. He has made several trips and preached the word of God. Fourteen letters from Paul have been preserved.

According to the tradition Paul was beheaded in 67 AD in Rome.

Eve of the Fast of Christmas is always celebrated on December 29, that is - 7 days before the Feast of Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Christmas) and is ended on January 5, the eve of the feast.

St. James was the son of the fisherman Zebedee, the senior brother of the Evangelist St. John. He was one of the closest and most reliable disciples of Jesus and the witness of the important events related to Jesus.

When Samaritans refused to receive Christ James and his brother asked Jesus to send fire down on the people as prophet Elijah did. Jesus reproached them for their groundless behavior. Because of such events Jess called them “Boanerges, that is, sons of thunder” (See Mk 3:17). James is the only apostle about whose death is told in the “Acts of the Apostles”. Herod arrested James and stabbed him.

The name of this apostle is closely related to the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem. According to the tradition the head of the St. James was brought to James, brother of Jesus, who buried it in the garden of his house. Later the Cathedral of St. James was built in that same place, and in the chapel opened in the northern wall the tomb of the apostle’s head is shown.

Evangelist St. John is the author of the fourth Gospel, three letters and the Revelation. He deserved the title of the “beloved disciple” of Christ. Jesus loved and trusted him so much that at the moment of crucifixion asked him to take care of the Holy Mother of God. He passed away in 100 AD, in Ephesus, at the age of 95.

St. Gregory the Thaumaturge (Wonderworker) was born in the town Neocaesaria of Pontos (Sebastia), in the family of a nobleman, in about 210 AD. Gregory was going to study jurisprudence and rhetoric, but another way was predetermined by God for him and his brother. Gregory and his brother receive education in Athens and then in Palestinian Caesaria. Their teacher was Vorogines who was one of the most prominent Christian scientists of that time. Returning to Neocaesaria, he is ordained as the Bishop of the town. According to the tradition during the period of Gregory’s ordination there were hardly 17 Christians in Neocaesaria, and when he passed away there were only 17 heathens. He has deserved the epithet “Thaumaturge” for the numerous miracles relating to his name and reputation. St. Gregory is also the author of many theological works. He passed away in 270 AD.

Pontiff Nikoghayos (Nicholas the Bishop) was born in the town Batara (presently nearby Antalia), in the province of Likia, in Asia Minor. His rich and pious parents pass away when he was a baby, and he is brought up and educated by his Uncle Bishop Nikoghayos Yerets. The evangelical commandment: “... sell all you have and give the money to the poor...” (The Gospel according to Mathew 19:21) becomes the essence of the life of Nikoghayos. He takes care of the poor, the sick, the prisoners and the orphans. By the will of the people he becomes the Bishop of Smyrna. During the period of Christians’ persecutions he is exiled, but however, continues to preach the Gospel everywhere. After the establishment of peace, he returns to his residence and participates in the Ecumenical Council of Nicaea in 325 Ad. He has passed away in 326 AD. He is one of the most beloved saints of the Universal Church and is more famous by the name Santa Claus.

Bishop Muron (Myron) was born in about 350 AD. He was a great wonder-worker and was familiar for his mercy and charity. During the period of Christians’ persecutions, When St, Muron was the Bishop of Crete, he impatiently waiting for his martyrdom, supports and encourages everybody, By the will of God he lives up to old age and passes away at the age of 100.

St. Abraham and St. Khoren were the disciples of St. Ghevond and his companions. After their teachers’ martyrdom they are exiled to Assyria. As living confessors to the faith they deserve the Christians’ respect. St. Khoren, being unable to suffer the hardships, passes away in exile. St. Abraham returns to Armenia and becomes the Bishop of Bznounik.

St. Kozma and St. Damianos who are called also “moneyless (or penniless or silver less) doctors (physicians)”, were born and lived in the last decades of the third century, in Arabia. They have been brought up and educated by their virtuous and honest mother and upon her advice they have always moved from one place to another and have treated the sick free of charge. During the period of Christians’ persecutions by the King Dioklethianos the brothers are imprisoned, subjected to torments and are beheaded in 285 AD.