Predicated on letters replaced within very early 7th-century prelates of the Armenian and you can Georgian church buildings, the brand new martyred Princess Shushanik are the object from veneration inside Tsurtaw, the main city town of Gugark, in itself the fresh marchland ranging from Armenia and Georgia. Even when Gugark is appended to Georgia while the last millennium, features on chapel where in actuality the little princess are hidden was indeed held inside the Armenian. The people on the part is predominantly of Armenian and you can Georgian supply, and you may Armenian is actually a commonly spoken language close to Georgian. The grave of one’s little princess attracted many pilgrims out of parts of Armenia (according to these types of same documents), who annually arrived in Tsurtaw so you’re able to venerate new princess’ grave.

[x] The above letters leave no doubt the tale regarding Shushanik predates the seventh 100 years, hence the woman Welfare-and this can be acquired in several models and forms, in both Armenian and you will Georgian-hails from an early brand spanking new. Shushanik is actually the fresh dikonean. Aforementioned are this new well-known commander-in-captain of your own Armenian forces, exactly who led his people in a rebellion contrary to the Iranian King from Kings inside safeguards of Religious trust, and fell to the battleground of Awarayr may 26, Advertisement 451. For her dad’s front side, Shushanik was descended out-of St.

Gregory the brand new Illuminator, whom translated new Armenian legal and people in order to Christianity on beginning of the 4th century

Shushanik is hitched to Vazgen (“Varzken” in Georgian), new margrave (otherwise february-lord) off Gugark and you will child of your own ikonean’s close user. In 450 Ashusha got adopted Vardan while the other nobles away from Armenia, Georgia and Albania who have been summoned to your Iranian [xi] judge when you look at the Ctesiphon so you can confront brand new King off Leaders. He had been having Vardan additionally the Armenian nobles once they refused the fresh new king’s give to transform to Zoroastrianism. Its refusal aroused the newest king’s wrath, and then he threatened abuse on princes on hot Cuenca wife the about three nations throughout the Caucasus. The new nobles consequently, seriously worried about the consequences they could sustain, decided among by themselves so you’re able to imagine anticipate of king’s give, and exploit their going transformation because the a ploy to store its lifestyle. Vardan initially would not interact the fresh new deceit, and you will shown a determination to-be martyred. Thereupon the fresh new nobles commissioned an excellent prince entitled Artak therefore the margrave Ashusha (named a smart child of the late fifth-century historian Ghazar Parpetsi) in order to convince Vardan so you’re able to acquiesce in the pretended apostasy. Ashusha’s spouse was an [xii] Armenian little princess of your Artsruni members of the family and brother away from Dzuik, the brand new wife regarding Vardan’s sibling Hmayeak. Ashusha’s word of course carried pounds which have Vardan, just who complied together with his suggestions.

In the event that Iranian judge efficiently consisted of the new Armenian rebellion inside 452 and exiled the frontrunners, the spouses and kids of second located safer refuge for the the brand new legal of the ong these were people in new Mamikonean family members in addition to their family unit members. Princess Dzuik specifically wanted haven at your home of Ashusha, the lady sister’s spouse. During Gugark, Dzuik had taken upon by herself the education of pupils from the fresh Mamikonean clan, certainly one of just who was her own boy Vahan, the long term commander-in-master and you will governor regarding Persian Armenia, together with an early attendant, Ghazar Parpetsi, the long term historian of your situations of your own fifth century.

Ashusha are allegedly picked because of his special experience of Vardan: these were from inside the-rules from the wedding off Vardan’s dily matchmaking between them princes went back further

Little princess Shushanik’s earlier years of relationship have been presumably spent in the Gugark. We need to assume that she gotten in-marriage to Vazgen, man of your margrave Ashusha, specific [xiii] time ahead of 451-which is, before their father’s death. ikonean princess pursuing the rebellion out-of 451 would have horny the new suspicion and you may outrage of one’s Persian overlords. I study from the fresh Welfare one to at the time whenever Vazgen went to Ctesiphon (the main city of Iranian empire) and you will forsook their Religious faith, the couple got three sons and you can a girl. The kids have been obviously of age and baptized as the Christians, due to the fact father assured the new King off Leaders to convert them in order to Zoroastrianism. In addition, the brand new daughter need to have already been from marriageable decades, due to the fact Vazgen himself had objectives away from marrying this lady, in accordance with the dynastic habit from the Persian courtroom.