Note 50 — II. HERE FOLLOWETH CONCERNING ARMENIA.

St. Gregory, called The Illuminator, born A.D. 257, consecrated Archbishop of Armenia 302. He is said to have revived (probably introduced) Christianity in Armenia, and, after suffering persecution at the hands of King Tiridates, converted him and his whole people. The place alluded to by Jordanus is at the convent of Khor-virab (“Deep pit”), on the Araxes, under Ararat. Here Gregory is believed to have been confined in a cave with serpents, and in the endurance of manifold torments, for fourteen years. (Smith and Dwight, p. 273. See also Chardin, p. 251. Curzon’s Armenia has a concise account of the Armenian church.)