Posted from Crossroads, Eastern Prelacy E-Newsletter
On Tuesday, January 25, 2011, the Armenian Church remembers Vahan Koghtnatzi. As a young child he and many other children of Armenian nobility were taken to Damascus for education. When they reached adulthood, the Arab overlords granted them permission to return to Armenia. Vahan promised his overlord he would return. Vahan married and established himself over his father’s lands; however the Arab overlords demanded his return. After fleeing from place to place, Vahan surrendered and expressed his desire to remain in Armenia and practice his Christian religion. He was imprisoned and martyred. It is believed that the melody and words of the sharagan (hymn) dedicated to Vahan (Zarmanali e ints) were written by his sister.
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