Vardanank (St. Vardanants) — Day of mercy and national tribute to the heroes (24/02)

Vardanank (St. Vardanants) for Armenians — Day of Mercy and National Tribute to Heroes. The day is celebrated in memory of the battle of Armenian troops led by Vardan Mamikonyan against the Persian army on the Avarayr field.

In the mid-5th century, the Persian Empire attempted to force Armenia —, the first Christian state in the world —, into apostasy. In 448, the Persian Shah Ezdigerd II sent a message to Armenia demanding acceptance of Zoroastrianism. The council of the highest clergy and secular nobility of Armenia convened in Artashat rejected this demand.

The Armenians were aware of the danger looming over them — the adoption of Zoroastrianism was tantamount to assimilation and the complete destruction of the Armenian people. An uprising began in the country, which gave rise to the creation of the mass popular movement «Vardanank», which united the entire Armenian people: the nobility, clergy and peasantry. The movement was named after the inspirer and leader of — Vardan Mamikonyan.

In May 451, the famous Battle of Avarayr took place on the banks of Tgmut, near the village of Avarayr. The regular Persian army of 230,000, which included the elite regiment «Immortal» and war elephants, was opposed by an Armenian army of 66 thousand. Most of the army consisted of people's militia, including women, monks, and old people.

At the head of the Armenian army was commander Vardan Mamikonyan. In this battle, both sides suffered heavy losses, and Prince Vardan Mamikonyan himself fell to the death of the brave. However, having met fierce resistance from the Armenians and suffered huge losses, the Persians were forced to abandon attacks on the Christian religion and national identity of the Armenian people.

The Armenians preserved their Christian faith by defending it with arms in hand; they knew that they were standing to the death for a just cause. Neighbors, fellow villagers, friends and even former enemies stood side by side. At that moment, old grievances, misunderstandings, discontent were erased and forgotten, and everyone was united by one — native Armenia.

Vardanank — is an example of the unity of the entire Armenian people in difficult times for them, as well as the memory and respect of the ancestors who defended Armenia’s right to exist in the Battle of Avarayr.

The holiday is celebrated annually on Thursday, 8 weeks before Holy Easter. It was once popular and celebrated very widely, but today Vardanank has become a more ecclesiastical holiday.

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