Saints Thaddeus and Bartholomew, two of the twelve apostles, were the first evangelizers of Armenia, and were martyred there, giving the Armenian Church its apostolic identity and earning them the title, “First Enlighteners of Armenia.”

Thaddeus came to Armenia about 43 AD to preach Christianity. He was martyred in southeastern Armenia. His tomb lies in the Armenian monastery of St. Thaddeus in Iran, where a chapel was built in the third century.

Bartholomew is believed to have arrived in Armenia about 66 AD. He was martyred in Hadamakert, southeast of Lake Van.

Archangel is a title given to an angel of high rank in the celestial hierarchy.

Michael means “who is like God.” St. Michael is one of the principal angels, and his name was the war cry of the good angels in the battle fought in heaven against the enemy and his followers. Christian tradition gives St. Michael four offices: to fight against Satan, to rescue the souls of the faithful from the power of the enemy especially at the hour of death, to be the champion of God’s people, and to protect Christians against the devil.

Gabriel means “strength of God” and is one of God’s chief messengers. In Christian tradition, Gabriel is the angel of mercy, while Michael is often seen as the angel of judgment. Gabriel explained Daniel’s vision and prophecy, foretold the birth of John the Baptist, and announced the birth of Christ. He is also associated with the strength and power of God.

St. Nerses Shnorhali was born in 1102 AD. He studied under Stepanos Vartabed in Garmir Monastery and was ordained at 18 by his brother, Catholicos Krikor Bahlavouni, in Hromgla. By the age of 30, he was consecrated a bishop.

He is famous for his General Epistle, letters, orations, poems, commentaries, and ecclesiastical studies. A great musician, writer, and poet, St. Nerses enriched the book of hours and the book of Sharagans with many sacred hymns. His book Jesus-Son is loved by devout Armenians and is second only to Nareg.

St. Nerses is remembered for his loving nature, paternal care, ecumenical spirit, and many benevolent accomplishments. He is honored as a pillar of Armenian literature and one of the most beloved saints of the Armenian Church.

After torturing and condemning St. Gregory to the pit of Khor Virab, and because of his treatment of the Hripsimayan nuns, King Tiridates became afflicted with strange maladies.

His wife, Ashkhen, and his sister, Khosrovitoukht, who had secretly become Christian, convinced the king that only Gregory could cure him. Gregory was released from the pit, and with the king’s recovery, all three helped spread Christianity throughout the land.

When Gregory returned from Caesarea, where he was ordained a bishop, the king, his family, court, and army met him and were baptized in the Euphrates River.

Thirty-three nuns, led by Gayaneh, left Rome and sought refuge in Armenia, hoping to escape the Roman Emperor who desired the beautiful Hripsimeh. In Armenia, King Tiridat was also captivated by Hripsimeh’s beauty and sought to wed her. She refused, and the king had Hripsimeh and the others tortured to death.

St. Gregory had chapels built over the relics of the nuns, and later Catholicos Sahag Barthev rebuilt the chapels. In the 7th century, Catholicos Gomidas built the cathedrals of St. Hripsimeh and St. Gayaneh and wrote the famous hymn “Antsink Nviryalk” in their memory.

Hovhan Odznetsi, also known as St. John of Otzoon, was catholicos from 717 to 728, during a period when Armenia was under Arab rule.

He defended Armenians from forced conversion and secured the right of worship for Armenian Christians. He was also successful in receiving tax-exempt status for the church. Educated in the Hellenic school of thought, he was admired as a philosopher and respected leader.

Krikor Datevatzi was born in 1346 in the province of Vayotz Tzor. He was a student of John of Orotni and a great defender of the character of the Armenian Church.

He knew Latin fluently and studied the Greek philosophers extensively. His most famous work is the Book of Questions, which examines questions of faith. He is often referred to as “the second Gregory the Illuminator.”

According to Movses Khorenatsi, the apostle Thaddeus came to Edessa, healed the sick, and baptized King Abgar. From Edessa he went to Armenia, where he preached and converted King Sanatrouk and the king’s daughter, Sandoukht.

When opposition arose, the king recanted his conversion. Sandoukht refused to renounce the Christian faith. She was imprisoned and executed by order of her father, becoming Armenia’s first martyr.

Thaddeus was martyred at Artaz, in present-day northern Iran. The Armenian monastery of St. Thaddeus is built on the apostle’s tomb and remains a place of pilgrimage.

The Armenian Church commemorates the prophet Isaiah, best known for the longest prophetic book in the Old Testament. Isaiah foretells the birth of the Messiah by a virgin and describes the suffering of the Messiah’s church.

Many New Testament teachings of Jesus refer to Isaiah. Because of his clear foretelling about Christ the Savior, Isaiah is recognized as an Old Testament evangelist. It is believed that Isaiah died a martyr’s death by order of King Manasseh.

The feasts dedicated to the Holy Translators, Sts. Sahag Bartev and Mesrob Mashtots, are among the most beloved celebrations for Armenians. Their lives and accomplishments are commemorated twice during the liturgical year.

St. Sahag Bartev, son of St. Nerses the Great, was elevated to the Catholical throne in 387 AD. He encouraged St. Mesrob in his work, helped with the first translation of the Holy Bible, established schools, translated works of the Holy Fathers, and wrote canons, hymns, and prayers.

St. Mesrob Mashtots was born in Hatsegats in Daron. He served in the Armenian royal court, entered the clergy, and recognized the need for an Armenian alphabet. With Catholicos Sahag and King Vramshabouh, he helped give the Armenian nation the alphabet and the means to preserve its faith, language, and literature.

John, often called the Beloved Disciple, is the author of the fourth Gospel and the book of Revelation. He remained with Christ at the cross, and Jesus entrusted His mother to John’s care.

According to tradition, John left Jerusalem after the first council, went to Asia Minor, settled in Ephesus, and was exiled to Patmos, where he wrote Revelation.

Luke is the author of the third Gospel and the Book of Acts. He is considered the patron of physicians and artists. His Gospel is deeply concerned with Jesus as the healer of a broken world.

Luke is also noted for his concern for the poor, the marginalized, women, and social outcasts. According to tradition, he was one of the Seventy and the unnamed disciple of Emmaus.

Mark had a significant influence on the advancement of Christianity. Although his Gospel narrates the life of Jesus, theologians also consider it a handbook of discipleship.

The dominant message is that being a Christian is not only believing in Jesus Christ, but living according to the example set by Jesus. According to tradition, Mark was the first bishop of Alexandria.

Matthew is the patron of the Church’s mission. The Gospel attributed to him closes with Christ’s command to His disciples and followers to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew’s Gospel reminds the Church that Christ remains with His followers always, to the end of the age.