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Saint Ashkhen A woman of royalty whose quiet strength, loyal emotions, and open heart to the Gospel of Jesus Christ plays a pivotal role in the conversion of pagan Armenia to Christianity.
Soorp Ashkhen c. A.D. 270 - c. A.D. 330 King Tiridates (T'rdat) III, son of Armenian King Khosrov I Arshakuni, reigned from A.D. 287 to 330. He married Ashkhen, the daughter of the Ashkhadar, King of the Alans. In A.D. 301, while Ashkhen was Queen, Christianity was declared the state religion of Armenia. Ashkhen was born on an unknown date between about A.D. 260-280 and was raised in the royal family of the Ashkhadar, King of the Alans. Little is known on her early life, prior to her marriage to King T'rdat and becoming Queen. At the Armenian royal court, Ashkhen would befriend Princess Khosrovidukht, the sister of T'rdat. Together the Queen and Princess would learn of the then underground Christian movement. At that time they were pagans, along with the King and many other Armenians - both nobles and commoners alike - and followers of Zoroastrianism. The persecution of Christians throughout the Roman world was rampant and T'rdat, an ally of Rome and true to his pagan roots, ordered the execution of Christians in Armenia. However, while her brother persecuted Christians, Princess Khosrovidukht, along with Ashkhen, most probably had already accepted Christianity through the efforts of Gayeneh and Hripsimeh - nuns who had fled Rome with a group of followers because of their faith in Christ. They came to Armenia in search of a safe haven. Considered "nuns" because of their extraordinary faith , they never found the earthly safety they searched for and before long T'rdat ordered them brutally tortured and killed because of their devotion to Christ. It is thought that even in their nascent faith, Ashkhen and Khosrovidukht sought to help Christians and saved many from persecution. But they probably could do little to help Gayeneh and her group because of their connection to Rome. In the aftermath of the martyrdom of Gayeneh, Hripsimeh, and their companions, T'rdat fell violently ill and was seen as insane and described as wandering the forests as a wild boar. It seemed no one could cure him of his affliction. Ashkhen remained a loyal wife, and Khosrovidukht a loving sister. Both prayed to Christ for the King's recovery. Their prayers were answered when Khosrovidukht had multiple visions in which she learned that T'rdat could be cured by the man whom he had imprisoned more than a decade earlier—St. Gregory the Illuminator. For thirteen years Gregory had been imprisoned in a deep pit at Virab - Khor Virab. Princess Khosrovidukht pleaded for Gregory’s release. When T'rdat was told of his sister's vision, he released Gregory. Under St. Gregory’s guidance, King T’rdat prayed at the site where the young nuns were martyred. The Greek historian Agathangelos tells that, “By Christ’s grace, [Gregory] cured [the king’s] hands and feet enough so that he was able with his own hands to dig graves and bury the caskets in them.” The repentant T’rdat, together with Ashkhen and Khosrovidukht, personally participated physically and financially in laying the foundations of what would be magnificent memorial churches over the sites of the relics of these early Christian Martyrs in the area of Vaghashapat. Agathangelos also writes that King T’rdat, the Queen and the Princess go out to meet St. Gregory upon his return from Caesarea, where he had traveled to receive episcopal ordination. Following a period of fasting and preparation, Gregory baptizes the three of them. They are followed by the baptism of the royal court and the nobles of Armenia. Through the baptism by Gregory, T’rdat becomes the first king in the world to rule over a Christian nation. History also reveals that T’rdat, Ashkhen and Khosrovidukht personally participate in the construction of the Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin. The stones they used to build the cathedral were brought to Vagharshapat from the slopes of Biblical Mount Ararat.
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Saint Ashkhen the Queen Detail of icon located on the southwestern wall at Donated in loving memory of
Now the process of spreading the light of Christianity in Armenia could be done openly and with the support of the King and the royal court. Many converts were baptized in the name of Christ. Eventually, Ashkhen and Khosrovidukht left royal life and retired to the fortress at Garni to live humble, peaceful lives in dedication to the Lord. T’rdat likewise retired, going to St. Gregory’s place of retreat, Mt. Sebouh. There he would later encounter hostile princes who wished to re-establish paganism and martyred him. The First Christian Armenian Queen, Saint Ashkhen’s feast day is celebrated along with King T’rdat and is usually observed on the Saturday before the 5th Sunday after Pentecost (June/July). -- |
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The Southwestern Wall The icons located on the southwestern wall of the sanctuary represent saints who played a significant role in Armenian Church history. Spanning over 1,000 years, the lives of these men and women proved influential as they contributed to the developing faith of the Church then, and continue to inspire the faithful today. The iconography at Saints Vartanantz Armenian Church in Chelmsford, Mass., was the vision of the Very Rev. Fr. Ghevont Samoorian and executed Available: The hanging vigil lamp - gantegh - at each icon of the southwest wall is available as a gift or memorial for a donation of $150. Symbolically a reminder of the Light of Christ, these brass, gold-plated lamps are lit on various feast days and add their warm glow to the prayerful atmosphere of the sanctuary. [This page designed and created by Deacon James Magarian] |
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