Persia Folder, its roads, and rivers.kmz

Persia Folder, its roads, and rivers

Persia (Iran)
Persia (Iran); The Placing of the Honorable Robe of the Lord at Moscow, Commemorated on July 10; Martyr Golinduc, in Holy Baptism Mary, of Persia, Commemorated July 12 ; Martyr Salome the Georgian, Commemorated on July 20 ; Martyr Razhden of Persia the Georgian, Commemorated on August 3; Martyr Eudokia of Persia, Commemorated on August 4; Martyr Dometius of Persia, Commemorated on August 7; Martyr Andrew Stratelates in Cilicia, Commemorated on August 19; Martyr Heliodorus of Persia, Commemorated August 20 ; Hieromartyr Athanasius the Bishop of Tarsus in Cilicia, Commemorated on August 22 ; Icon of the Mother of God of Georgia, Commemorated August 22 ; Venerable Anthusa the Nun, Commemorated August 22 ; Virginmartyr Syra of Persia, Commemorated on August 24; Return of the Relics of the Apostle Bartholomew from Anastasiopolis to Lipari, Commemorated August 25 : By the power of God the chests did not sink into the depths of the sea, but miraculously floated upon the waves and reached Italy. The chest with the relics of the Apostle Bartholomew came to land at the island of Lipari, and the remaining chests continued their journey and came to land at various places in Italy. The chest with the relics of the Martyr Papian halted at Sicily, the Martyr Lucian at Messina, the Martyr Gregory at Calabria, and the Martyr Acacius at Askalon. ; AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO, BISHOP AND THEOLOGIAN (28 AUGUST 430) ; Righteous Hezekiah, Commemorated August 28 ; Martyr Aithalas of Persia, Commemorated on September 1 ; Martyr Hermione the Daughter of St Philip the Deacon, Commemorated on September 4; Martyr Aithalas of Persia ; Martyr Abdias (Abidas) of Persia, Commemorated September 5 ; Martyr Romulus and with him many others, Commemorated on September 6 ; Martyr Ia of Persia, Commemorated on September 11 ; The Universal Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross, Commemorated on September 14 ; Greatmartyr and Prince Bidzina of Georgia; Martyr Dada of Persia, Commemorated September 29 ; Hieromartyr Gregory the Bishop of Greater Armenia, Equal of the Apostles and Enlightener of Armenia, Commemorated September 30 ; HENRY MARTYN, MISSIONARY AND TRANSLATOR (19 OCT 1812) ; Martyr Memelchtha of Persia, Commemorated October 5 ; Martyr Benjamin the Deacon of Persia, Commemorated October 13 ; Hieromartyr Sadoc (Sadoth) the Bishop of Persia, Commemorated October 19 ; Martyr Neophytus of Urbin, Georgia, Commemorated October 28 ; Hieromartyr James the Presbyter of Persia, Commemorated on November 1 ; Hieromartyr John the Bishop of Persia, Commemorated on November 1 ; Martyr Acindynus of Persia, Commemorated on November 2 ; 7,000 Martyrs who suffered in Persia, Commemorated on November 2 ; Martyr Akepsimas the Bishop of Persia, Commemorated on November 3; St Snandulia of Persia; SIMON AND JUDE, APOSTLES (OCT 28); Martyr Neophytus of Urbin, Georgia,Commemorated on October 28; Hieromartyr John the Bishop of Persia, Commemorated on November 1 Hieromartyr James the Presbyter of Persia, Commemorated on November 1; Hieromartyr Milus the Bishop in Persia, Commemorated on November 10 ; St Justinian the Emperor, Commemorated on November 14 ; Apostle and Evangelist Matthew, November 16; CHARLES SIMEON, TEACHER, PROMOTOR OF MISSIONARY WORK (12 NOV 1836); Hieromartyr Nerses of Persia, Commemorated on November 20; Greatmartyr Mercurius of Caesarea, in Cappadocia, Commemorated November 24 ; Greatmartyr James the Persian, Commemorated on November 27 ; Hieromartyr Abibus, Bishop of Nekressi in Georgia, Commemorated on November 29 ; St Vakhtang Gorgasali, King of Georgia, Commemorated on November 30 ; Martyr Ananias of Persia, Commemorated on December 1 ; St Ambrose the Bishop of Milan, Commemorated on December 7 ; Martyr Akepsimas of Egypt, Commemorated on December 11 ; Venerable Arsenius of Latros, Commemorated on December 13 ; Prophet Daniel, Commemorated December 17 ; St Modestus the Archbishop of Jerusalem, Commemorated December 18 ; Greatmartyr Anastasia the "Deliverer from Potions", Commemorated December 22 ; Prophet Malachi, Commemorated January 3 ; Apostle Thaddeus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4 ; Prophet Micah, Commemorated on January 5 ; THE FEAST OF THE HOLY EPIPHANY (6 January) ; St Dometian the Bishop of Melitene, Commemorated January 10 ; St Sava I, First Archbishop of Serbia, Commemorated January 12 ; St James the Bishop of Nisibis, Commemorated January 13 ; Venerable Euthymius the Great, Commemorated January 20 ; Prophet Daniel; Monkmartyr Anastasius the Persian, Commemorated January 22 ; Translation of the relics of St Anastasius the Persian, Commemorated on January 24 ; St Isaac the Syrian the Bishop of Nineveh, Commemorated on January 28 ; Venerable Ephraim the Syrian, Commemorated on January 28 ; St Aphraates of Persia, Commemorated on January 29 ; Translation of the relics of the Hieromartyr Ignatius, the Godbearer and Bishop of Antioch, Commemorated on January 29 ; Hieromartyr Abramius the Bishop of Arbela in Assyria, Commemorated February 4 ; Martyr Luke of Jerusalem, the Georgian, Commemorated on February 12 ; Martyr Nicholas Dvali, Commemorated February 12 ; St Prochorus of Georgia, Commemorated February 12 ; St Maruthas the Bishop of Martyropolis in Mesopotamia, Commemorated on February 16; St Maruthas the Bishop of Martyropolis in Mesopotamia, Commemorated on February 16; St Nicholas the Catholicos of Georgia, Commemorated February 18 ; Venerable Conan, Abbot of the Pethukla Monastery, Commemorated February 19 ; Hieromartyr Sadoc (Sadoth) the Bishop of Persia, Commemorated February 20 ; Venerable Alexander the founder of the Monastery, of the œUnsleeping Ones, Commemorated on February 23; Venerable Shio Mgvime, Commemorated on March 3; Hieromartyr Theodoritus of Antioch, Commemorated on March 8; St Sophronius the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Commemorated on March 11; Martyr Christina of Persia, Commemorated on March 13; Venerable Alexis the Man of God, Commemorated on March 17; Venerable Aninas of the Euphrates, Commemorated on March 18; St Thomas the Patriarch of Constantinople, Commemorated on March 21; GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR, APOSTLE TO ARMENIA (23 March 332); Martyr Jonah and those with him, in Persia, Commemorated on March 28; Martyred brothers Barachisius and Jonah, and those with them, in Persia, Commemorated on March 28; Hieromartyr Audas the Bishop of Persia, Commemorated on March 31; St Eulogius of Salosi, the Prophet and Fool-for-Christ, Commemorated on April 1; St John Shavteli of Salosi, Bishop of Gaenati, Georgia, Commemorated on April 1; Virginmartyr Pherbutha (Phermoutha) of Persia, with her sister and servant, Commemorated on April 4; Venerable Publius of Egypt, Commemorated on April 5; 120 Martyrs of Persia, Commemorated on April 6; St Eutychius the Patriarch of Constantinople, Commemorated on April 6 ; Apostle Herodion of the Seventy, and those with Him, Commemorated on April 8; Martyr Desan the Bishop and 272 others in Persia, Commemorated on April 9; Monkmartyr Bademus (Vadim) of Persia, Commemorated on April 9; Martyr James the Presbyter of Persia, Commemorated on April 10; Martyr Azades (Azat) the Eunuch of Persia, Commemorated on April 14; Hieromartyr Simeon the Bishop in Persia, and those with him in Persia, Commemorated on April 17; Monkmartyr Agathangelus of Esphigmenou of Mt Athos, Commemorated on April 19; Apostle and Evangelist Mark, Commemorated on April 25; 6,000 Martyrs of the St David Gareji Monastery, Georgia, Commemorated on April 26; Martyr Bata the Persian, Commemorated on May 1; Right-believing Tamara, Queen of Georgia, Commemorated on May 1; Greatmartyr Irene of Thessalonica, Commemorated on May 5; Martyr Simeon of Persia, Commemorated on May 18; Hieromartyr Helladius the Bishop in the East, Commemorated on May 28; Hieromartyr Sisinius the Deacon of Rome, Commemorated on June 7; St John of Shavtel-Gaenati, Commemorated on June 9; 5 Martyred Nuns beheaded in Persia, Commemorated on June 9; Apostle Barnabas of the Seventy, Commemorated on June 11 ; Martyr Manuel of Persia, Commemorated on June 17; Apostle Jude the Brother of the Lord, Commemorated on June 19; Martyr Luarsab II the King of Georgia, Commemorated on June 21; Virginmartyr Febronia of Nisibis, Commemorated on June 25; The Placing of the Honorable Robe of the Most Holy Mother of God at Blachernae, Commemorated on July 2; Martyr Marinus and his wife and children and those with them at Rome, Commemorated on July 6 ;

Zargos Mountains - Around the Fertile Crescent
Zargos Mountains, around the Fertile Crescent;

Persia, 2400, 25th Century BC- 612 BC, Assryia (Assur) Assyrian Kingdom
Assryia (Assyrian Kingdom); Assur; Apostle Thaddeus of the Seventy, Commemorated on August 21 ; Righteous Hezekiah, Commemorated August 28 ; Prophet Hosea, Commemorated on October 17 ; Venerable Euthymius the Co-Founder of Dochiariou Monastery of Mt Athos, Commemorated on November 9 ; Righteous Philaret the Merciful of Amnia in Asia Minor, Commemorated December 1 ; Venerable Melania the Younger of Rome, Commemorated on December 31 ; Prophet Micah, Commemorated on January 5 ; Venerable Euthymius the Great, Commemorated January 20 ; St Isaac the Syrian the Bishop of Nineveh, Commemorated on January 28 ; Hieromartyr Abramius the Bishop of Arbela in Assyria, Commemorated February 4 ; Virginmartyr Febronia of Nisibis, Commemorated on June 25;

Persia, 730 BC, 8th Century BC, Prophet, Jonah
Jerusalem Prophet, 8th Century BC, Jonah; Prophet Jonah, Commemorated on September 22;

Persia, 612 BC, Fall of Nineveh, Assyria, to Babylonians and Medes
Persia, 612 BC, Fall of Nineveh, Assyria, Persia ; Prophet Nahum, Commemorated on December 1;

Persia, 550 BC - 330 BC, Achaemenid Empire, Babylon
Persian Achaemenid Empire, 550-330 BC, Babylon; Persian Emperor, 559-530 BC, Cyrus the Great, Achaemenid Empire ; Persian Emperor, 522-486 BC, Darius I, Achaemenid Empire; Daniel 6:16-28, Daniel saved from the lions, then Daniel prospered during the reigns of Darius and Cyrus the Persian;

Persia, 312 BC - 240 BC, Seleucid Empire in Seleucia
Messopotamia Babylon History, 312 BC - 240 BC, Seleucid Empire in Seleucia; Seleucia; Hieromartyr Athanasius the Bishop of Tarsus in Cilicia, Commemorated on August 22 ; Venerable Anthusa the Nun, Commemorated August 22 ; Virginmartyr Syra of Persia, Commemorated on August 24; Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-Bearer the Bishop of Antioch, Commemorated December 20 ; Apostle Mark the Evangelist of the Seventy, Commemorated January 4 ; Apostle Barnabas of the Seventy, Commemorated January 4 ; St Cyril the Archbishop of Jerusalem, Commemorated on March 18; Virginmartyr Pherbutha (Phermoutha) of Persia, with her sister and servant, Commemorated on April 4; Apostle and Evangelist Mark, Commemorated on April 25; Apostle Barnabas of the Seventy, Commemorated on June 11;

Persia, 247BC-224AD, Parthian (Arsacid) Empire, Zoroastrian, Fire Worshipers
Persian Parthian (Arsacid) Empire, 247BC-224AD, Ctesiphon, Zoroastrian ; Commemoration of the apparition of the Pillar with the Robe of the Lord under it at Mtskheta in Georgia, Commemorated on October 1; St Sidonia of Georgia, Commemorated on October 1; Apostle Jude the Brother of the Lord, Commemorated on June 19;

Persia, 247BC - 224AD, Parsiism - Kings of Epiphany - Parthian Empire of Persia
Parsiism, Perianism, Zorastrainism ; Parthian Empire of Persia 247BC - 224AD ; Ctesiphon, Persia; EPIPHANY - Kings of Epiphany, Commemorated January 6 ;

Persia, 224-651, Sasanian Empire, Ctesiphon, Zoroastrian (Fire Worshipers)
Persian Sasanian Empire, 224AD-651AD, Ctesiphon, 226-637, Zoroastrian; Overthrown by Umar I, 2nd caliph of Rashidun Caliphate, in Medina, 634-644 ; St Maruthas the Bishop of Martyropolis in Mesopotamia, Commemorated on February 16; St Sophronius the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Commemorated on March 11; St Thomas the Patriarch of Constantinople, Commemorated on March 21; Martyr Jonah and those with him, in Persia, Commemorated on March 28 ; Hieromartyr Audas the Bishop of Persia, Commemorated on March 31; Martyr Desan the Bishop and 272 others in Persia, Commemorated on April 9; 5 Martyred Nuns beheaded in Persia, Commemorated on June 9;

Persia, 632-661, Rashidun Caliphate, Sunni
Persia, 632-661, Rashidun Caliphate, Sunni;

Persia, 634-644, Persian Sasanian Empire overthrown by Uamr 1, Rashidun Caliph
Persia, 634-644, Persian Sasanian Empire overthrown by Uamr 1, Rashidun Caliph; St Sophronius the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Commemorated on March 11;

Persia, 661-750, Umayyad Caliphate, Sunni
Persia, 661-750, Umayyad Caliphate, Sunni;

Persia, 1077-1307, Persian-Turk, Seljuk Empire, Sultanate of Rum (Rome), Sunni
Persia, 1077-1307, Persian-Turk, Seljuk Empire, Sultanate of Rum (Rome), Sunni; St John of Shavtel-Gaenati, Commemorated on June 9;

Persia, 1077-1256, Persian, Khwarezmid Empire, Sunni
Persia, 1077-1256, Persian, Khwarezmid Empire, Sunni; Sultan Jalal al-Din ; In 1227 Sultan Jalal al-Din of Khwarazm and his army of Turkmen attacked Georgia ; 100,000 Martyrs of Tbilisi by the Mongols, Commemorated on October 31 ;

Persia, 1256-1353, Persian Mongolian Ilkhanate Empire, Buddist then Sunni
Persia, 1256-1353, Persian Mongolian Ilkhanate Empire; St Demetrius the Devoted, King of Georgia, Commemorated on March 16;

Persia, 1370-1507, Timurid Empire, Tamurlane's Dynasty
Persia, 1370-1507, Timurid Empire, Tamurlane's Dynasty; St Euphrosyne the Princess, (Eudoxia) of Moscow, Commemorated on May 17;

Persia, 1501-1736, Safavid dynasty, at Isfahan, Shia Muslim
Persia, 1501-1736, Safavid dynasty, at Isfahan, Shia Muslim; 6,000 Martyrs of the St David Gareji Monastery, Georgia, Commemorated on April 26; St Gerasimus of Boldino, Commemorated on May 1; Fathers martyred by the Dagestanians, Commemorated on June 1;

Persia, 1736-1796, Afsharid dynasty, at Mashhad, Sunni
Persia, 1736-1796, Afsharid dynasty, at Mashhad, Sunni; Hieromartyr Dositheus of Tbilisi, Commemorated on September 12 ;

Persia, 1796-1925, Qajar dynasty, at Tehran, Shia
Persia, 1796-1925, Qajar dynasty, at Tehran, Shia; Hieromartyr Dositheus of Tbilisi, Commemorated on September 12 ;

Caspian Sea, north of Persia
Caspian Sea; Caspian expeditions of the Rus 864-1041; The Protection of our Most Holy Lady the Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, Commemorated on October 1;

Persian Gulf, southwest of Persia
Persian Gulf;

Parthia (Northern Rivers and Tehran Regions, Namek Sink, Northeastern Iran or Persia)
Parthia; Parthis Map Ochus River Map; Apostle Thaddeus of the Seventy, Commemorated on August 21 ; Hieromartyr Gregory the Bishop of Greater Armenia, Equal of the Apostles and Enlightener of Armenia, Commemorated September 30 ; Holy, Glorious Apostle Thomas, Commemorated October 6 ; Holy, All-Praised Apostle Philip Apostle and Evangelist Matthew, Commemorated November 16 ; GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR, APOSTLE TO ARMENIA (23 March 332);

Gulf of Oman, south of Persia
Gulf of Oman;

Persian History Folder

Persia, 3000BC -2000BC, Noah and the Flood to Abraham

Persia, 3000BC-2000BC, Dots 3-5, Noah's Story Outline PDF with Abstract Locations
Noah's Story Outline PDF with Abstract Locations;

Persia, 3000BC-2000BC, Dots 3-5, Noah, Garden of Eden (Tigres River 7-8) & Ararat Mts
Garden of Eden (Tigres River 7-8) & Ararat Mts; Walked with God Because Noah walked with God and stood blameless among the people of that time, God gave him specific instructions for building the ark by which Noah and his family would survive the coming flood. Location - Eden? Building the Ark Noah followed the building instructions down to every detail. Then a week before the flood (Gen. 7:4), Noah led his family and all of the animals into the ark just as God directed Location - Eden? and The Flood After seven days, the rain began and lasted for 40 days. As he sought to know whether it was safe to leave the ark, he sent out first a raven and then a dove. When the dove returned with an olive leaf, Noah knew the water had receded. Location - Mt Ararat, Ararat Mts. - Eden? Lord’s covenant with Noah Once out of the ark, Noah built an altar and sacrificed clean animals as burnt offerings on the altar. Then the Lord promised never again to destroy living creatures as He had done in the flood and established a covenant with Noah and his sons and sealed that covenant with a rainbow. See Covenant Location - Mt Ararat, Ararat Mts ’s sin exposed The sinful nature of humanity is one thing that remained preserved on the ark. Once on dry ground, Noah planted a vineyard, drank of its wine, became drunk, and exposed himself in his tent. Ham informed Shem and Japheth about their father's nakedness. The latter two showed respect for their father and covered him. As a result, they received rich blessings for their descendants from Noah. Ham in turn received a curse for his descendant: Canaan. Noah lived another 350 years after the flood and died at the age of 950 years Location - Eden area? Righteous Noah, Commemorated on December 11; Righteous Noah is mentioned in the Book of Genesis (chapters 5-9). the wicked deeds of men, God decided to destroy man from the earth, and even cattle, reptiles, and birds. But Noah found favor with the Lord, Who spared him, his sons and their wives. Therefore, God commanded Noah to build an ark and take two pairs of every creature into it. Then it rained for forty days and nights, and men and animals perished in the flood. The water remained on the earth for 150 days, then God blessed Noah and his sons, telling them to increase and multiply (Genesis 9:7). Noah's sons Shem, Ham and Japheth, the earth was repopulated, and God promised not to destroy the world by water again. Noah reposed at the age of 950 (Genesis 9:29). The ark is a figure of the Church, which is called the Ark of Salvation. speaking about the end of the world, the Savior told His disciples: "As were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they did not know until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of man" (Matthew 24:37-39).

Persia, 25th Century BC - 612 BC, Assyrian Kingdom and Empire History Folder

Persia, 2400 BC, 25th Century BC Folder, Assryian Kingdom

Persia, 2400 BC, 25th Century BC- 612 BC, Assryia (Assur) Assyrian Kingdom
Assryia (Assyrian Kingdom); Assur; Apostle Thaddeus of the Seventy, Commemorated on August 21 ; Righteous Hezekiah, Commemorated August 28 ; Prophet Hosea, Commemorated on October 17 ; Venerable Euthymius the Co-Founder of Dochiariou Monastery of Mt Athos, Commemorated on November 9 ; Righteous Philaret the Merciful of Amnia in Asia Minor, Commemorated December 1 ; Venerable Melania the Younger of Rome, Commemorated on December 31 ; Prophet Micah, Commemorated on January 5 ; Venerable Euthymius the Great, Commemorated January 20 ; St Isaac the Syrian the Bishop of Nineveh, Commemorated on January 28 ; Hieromartyr Abramius the Bishop of Arbela in Assyria, Commemorated February 4 ; Virginmartyr Febronia of Nisibis, Commemorated on June 25;

Persia, 1250 BC - 612 BC, 13th - 7th Century BC Folder, Assryian Empire

Persia, 1250 BC - 612 BC, Assryian Empire
Assryia (Assyrian Empire); Assur; Apostle Thaddeus of the Seventy, Commemorated on August 21 ; Prophet Hosea, Commemorated on October 17 ; Righteous Hezekiah, Commemorated August 28 ; Venerable Euthymius the Co-Founder of Dochiariou Monastery of Mt Athos, Commemorated on November 9 ; Righteous Philaret the Merciful of Amnia in Asia Minor, Commemorated December 1 ; Venerable Melania the Younger of Rome, Commemorated on December 31 ; Prophet Micah, Commemorated on January 5 ; Venerable Euthymius the Great, Commemorated January 20 ; St Isaac the Syrian the Bishop of Nineveh, Commemorated on January 28 ; Hieromartyr Abramius the Bishop of Arbela in Assyria, Commemorated February 4 ; Virginmartyr Febronia of Nisibis, Commemorated on June 25;

Persia, 800 BC, 9th Century BC, Prophet Hanani, Syrian King Ben-Hadad

Persia, 885-865 BC Assyrian King Ben-Hadad, contemporary oBaasha oIsrael and Asa oJudah, took towns on Trade Route
Persia, 885-865 BC Assyrian King Ben-Hadad; I, son of Tabrimmon and grandson of Hezion, was king of Aram-Damascus between 885 BC and 865 BC. I was reportedly a contemporary of kings Baasha of the Kingdom of Israel and Asa of the Kingdom of Judah. to the biblical book of Kings, Asa called on Ben-Hadad I to aid him in attacking northern Israel while Baasha restricted access to Jerusalem through border fortifications. took the towns of "Ijon, Dan, Abel-beth-maachah, and all Chinneroth, with all the land of Naphtali" (1 Kings 15:20). acquisition gave Aram-Damascus control of the trade route to southern Phoenicia. the time of the reign of Ahab, the area was back in Israelite hands.[1]

Persia, 873-865 BC, Prophet Hanani, Kingdom of Judah, Asa treaty wSyria, it not pleasing to God, b trust Syria not God, So wars
Jerusalem, 873-865 BC, Prophet Hanani, Kingdom of Judah (Judah, after Solomon, Capital Jerusalem, 930BC-587BC), 36th yr KoJ, fRehoboam, War Asa oJ&Baasha oIsrael, when B fortified Ramah isolating Judah, A made treaty wSyria Ben-hadad, Temple silver gold tB-H, Bribe tBreak S-I treaty, it worked, Army against I, J built Geba&Mizpah wSupplies fRamah, However Treaty w Syria not pleasing to God, because trust Syria not God, therefore Syria escapaped, you acted foolishly, therefore wars shall arise against you; Kingdom of Judah; Prophet Hanani, Commemorated on March 27; Prophet Hanani (Ananias) lived during the thirty-sixth year of the Kingdom of Judah, counting from the start of Rehoboam's reign. He is mentioned in 2 Chronicles (Paraleipomenon) 16: 7-10. was an ongoing war between King Asa of Judah and King Baasha of Israel (ninth century B.C.). King Baasha of Israel fortified Ramah, thereby isolating the territory of Judah, Asa made a treaty with the Syrian King Ben-Hadad I (ruled circa 900–860 B.C.). took all the silver and gold from the treasures of the house of the Lord and from the king's house and sent his servants to deliver it to Ben Hadad. was a bribe to make the Syrian King break his treaty with King Baasha, and ally himself with King Asa (3 Kings 15:16-21). Hadad sent an army against Israel, and the forces of Judah took the supplies from Ramah and built up Geba and Mizpah. treaty, however, was not pleasing to God (1/3 Kings 15:16–22; 2 Chronicles/Paraleipomenon 16:1–10). Prophet Hanani went before King Asa and rebuked him harshly for this, saying, you put your trust in the King of Syria, and not in the Lord your God, therefore the army of Syria has escaped out of your hand. Were not the Ethiopians and the Libyans more numerous in chariots and in horsemen, and an exceedingly great multitude? Yet, because you trusted in the Lord, did He not deliver them into your hand? For the eyes of the Lord behold all the earth, and give strength to those who with a perfect heart trust in Him. But you have acted foolishly, therefore from this time wars shall arise against you." by these words, King Asa ordered that Hanani be thrown into prison. Later, the Prophet reposed in peace. name Hanani means "God has gratified me," or "God is gracious."

Persia, 869-850 BC, Micah, Israelite Prophet, companion oElias, prophesied ruin oAhab, into prison, freed aRuin, martyred
Samaria, 869-850 BC, Micah, Israelite Prophet, companion oElias, prophesied ruin of Ahab, into prison, freed after ruin, martyred, companion oElias; Samaria, 869-850 BC, Israelite Prophet, Micah, prophesied ruin of Ahab, into prison, freed after ruin, martyred; to the Hebrew Bible, Micah was a prophet in Judaism and is the author of the Book of Micah. is considered one of the Twelve Minor Prophets of the Hebrew Bible and was a contemporary of the prophets Isaiah, Amos and Hosea. was from Moresheth-Gath, in southwest Judah. He prophesied during the reigns of kings Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah of Judah. messages were directed chiefly toward Jerusalem. He prophesied the future destruction of Jerusalem and Samaria, the destruction and then future restoration of the Judean state, and he rebuked the people of Judah for dishonesty and idolatry. 5:2 is interpreted by Christians as a prophecy that Bethlehem, a small village just south of Jerusalem, would be the birthplace of the Messiah. narrative[edit] was active in Judah from before the fall of Israel in 722 BC and experienced the devastation brought by Sennacherib's invasion of Judah in 701 BC. He prophesied from approximately 737 to 696 BC.[citation needed] Micah was from Moresheth, also called Moresheth-Gath, a small town in southwest Judah. Micah lived in a rural area, and often rebuked the corruption of city life in Israel and Judah.[1] The subject's father is not given and likely descended from the common people as the target of his message was towards the privileged classes.[2] prophesied during the reigns of kings Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah of Judah.[3] Jotham, the son of Uzziah, was king of Judah from 742 to 735 BC. Jotham was succeeded by his son Ahaz, who reigned over Judah from 735 to 715 BC. Ahaz's son Hezekiah ruled from 715 to 696 BC.[4] Micah was a contemporary of the prophets Isaiah, Amos, and Hosea. Jeremiah, who prophesied about thirty years after Micah, recognized Micah as a prophet from Moresheth who prophesied during the reign of Hezekiah.[5] messages were directed mainly towards Jerusalem, and were a mixture of denunciations and prophecies. In his early prophecies, he predicted the destruction of both Samaria and Jerusalem for their respective sins. The people of Samaria were rebuked for worshipping idols which were bought with the income earned by prostitutes.[6] Micah was the first prophet to predict the downfall of Jerusalem. According to him, the city was doomed because its beautification was financed by dishonest business practices, which impoverished the city's citizens.[7] He also called to account the prophets of his day, whom he accused of accepting money for their oracles.[8] also anticipated the destruction of the Judean state and promised its restoration more glorious than before.[9] He prophesied an era of universal peace over which the Governor will rule from Jerusalem.[10] Micah also declared that when the glory of Zion and Jacob is restored that the LORD will force the Gentiles to abandon idolatry.[11] also rebuked Israel because of dishonesty in the marketplace and corruption in government. He warned the people, on behalf of God, of pending destruction if ways and hearts were not changed. He told them what the LORD requires of them: hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?  Micah 6:8 Israel's response to Micah's charges and threats consisted of three parts: an admission of guilt,[12] a warning of adversaries that Israel will rely on the LORD for deliverance and forgiveness,[13] and a prayer for forgiveness and deliverance.[14] prophecy given by Micah details the future destruction of Jerusalem and the plowing of Zion (a part of Jerusalem). This passage (Micah 3:11–12), is stated again in Jeremiah 26:18, Micah's only prophecy repeated in the Old Testament. Since then Jerusalem has been destroyed three times, the first one being the fulfillment of Micah's prophecy. The Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC, about 150 years after Micah gave this prophecy.[15][16] interpretation[edit] Engraving of the Prophet Micah by Gustave Doré. 5:2 is interpreted as a prophecy that Bethlehem, a small village just south of Jerusalem, would be the birthplace of the Messiah. thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. This passage is recalled in Matthew 2:6, and the fulfillment of this prophecy in the birth of Jesus is further described in Matthew 2:1–6. thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. Matthew 10:35–36 Jesus adapts Micah 7:6 to his own situation; I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. Micah was referring to the division in Judah and Samaria, the distrust that had arisen between all citizens, even within families.[16] Jesus was using the same words to describe something different. Jesus said that he did not come to bring peace, but to divide households. Men are commanded to love Jesus Christ more than their own family members, and Jesus indicated that this priority would lead to persecution from others and separation within families.[17] Micah 7:20, Micah reminded Judah of God's covenant to be merciful to Jacob and show love to Abraham and his descendants. This is repeated in Luke 1:72–73 in the prophecy Zechariah at the circumcision and naming of John the Baptist. This prophecy concerned the kingdom and salvation through the Messiah. It is a step in the fulfillment of the blessing of the descendants of Abraham.[17] When Micah restated this covenant promise, he was comforting Judah with the promise of God's faithfulness and love.[18] prophecy to King Hezekiah is mentioned in Jeremiah 26:17-19: Then certain of the elders of the land rose up and spoke to all the assembly of the people, saying: 18 “Micah of Moresheth prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and spoke to all the people of Judah, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Zion shall be plowed like a field, Jerusalem shall become heaps of ruins, And the mountain of the temple[a] Like the bare hills of the forest.”’[b] 19 Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah ever put him to death? Did he not fear the Lord and seek the Lord’s favor? And the Lord relented concerning the doom which He had pronounced against them. But we are doing great evil against ourselves.” commemoration[edit] Micah is commemorated with the other eleven minor prophets in the Calendar of Saints (Armenian Apostolic Church) on July 31. In the Eastern Orthodox Church he is commemorated twice in the year. The first feast day is January 5 (for those churches which follow the traditional Julian Calendar, January 5 currently falls on January 18 of the modern Gregorian Calendar). However, since January 5 is also the eve of the Great Feast of Theophany (in the west, Epiphany) and a strict fast day (near total abstinence from food and non-religious activities), his major celebration is on August 14 (the forefeast of the Great Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God).[19] Samaria, Israelite King, 869BC-850BC, Ahab; Prophet Micah, Commemorated on January 5; Holy Prophet Micah was a companion of the holy prophet Elias. prophesied the ruin of King Ahab in a war with the Assyrians, which he was cast into prison. free after the downfall of Ahab (3 Kings 22: 8-22), holy prophet Micah died as a martyr in the ninth century B.C.

Persia, 700 BC, 8th Century BC Folder, Prophet Jonah

Persia, 727 - 722 BC Assyrian King Shalmaneser V, Conquered Israel, Northern Kingdom
Persia, 717 - 722 BC Assyrian King Shalmaneser V, Conquered Israel; Tobit TOBIT 1This book tells the story of Tobit son of Tobiel son of Hananiel son of Aduel son of Gabael son of Raphael of the descendants* of Asiel, of the tribe of Naphtali, 2who in the days of King Shalmaneser* of the Assyrians was taken into captivity from Thisbe, which is to the south of Kedesh Naphtali in Upper Galilee, above Asher towards the west, and north of Phogor. ;

Persia, 712 BC (before 612 BC, Before S.), Conversion of Nineveh (Mosul)
Nineveh; Jonah 3:1-10,4:1-11, Conversion of Nineveh ; Prophet Jonah, Commemorated on September 22 ; St John the Merciful, Patriarch of Alexandria, Commemorated November 12 ; Prophet Nahum, Commemorated December 1 ; Prophet Zephaniah, Commemorated December 3 ; St Isaac the Syrian the Bishop of Nineveh, Commemorated on January 28 ;

Persia, 705 BC - 681 BC, Sennacherib, Assyrian Emperor, Levant campaign, d Babylon, d Nineva
Persia, Assyrian Emperor, 705 BC - 681 BC, Sennacherib ; Sennacherib [6] was the king of the Neo-Assyrian Empire from the death of his father Sargon II in 705 BC to his own death in 681 BC. The second king of the Sargonid dynasty, Sennacherib is one of the most famous Assyrian kings for the role he played in the Old Testament of the Bible, which describes his campaign in the Levant.[7] Other events of his reign include his destruction of the city of Babylon in 689 BC and his construction of the last great Assyrian capital, Nineveh. Although Sennacherib was one of the most powerful and wide-ranging Assyrian kings,[8] he faced considerable difficulty in controlling Babylonia, which formed the southern portion of his empire. Many of Sennacherib's Babylonian troubles stemmed from the Chaldean[9] tribal chief Marduk-apla-iddina II, who had been Babylon's king until Sennacherib's father defeated him. Shortly after Sennacherib inherited the throne in 705 BC, Marduk-apla-iddina retook Babylon and allied with the Elamites. Though Sennacherib reclaimed the south in 700 BC, Marduk-apla-iddina continued to trouble him, probably instigating Assyrian vassals in the Levant to rebel, leading to the Levantine War of 701 BC, and successfully convincing Sennacherib's vassal king in Babylonia, Bel-ibni, to throw off Sennacherib's rule. After the Babylonians and Elamites captured and executed Sennacherib's eldest son Ashur-nadin-shumi, who Sennacherib had proclaimed as his new vassal king in Babylon, Sennacherib campaigned in both regions, successfully subduing Elam. Because Babylon, well within his own territory, had been the target of most of his military campaigns and had caused the death of his son, Sennacherib destroyed the city in 689 BC. The Levantine War of 701 BC was made necessary because several Assyrian vassals in the region had rebelled, either because Marduk-apla-iddina encouraged them or because of the ill omens associated with the battlefield death of Sennacherib's father. Though the northern Levant was subdued relatively quickly, the states in the southern Levant, especially the Kingdom of Judah under King Hezekiah, did not submit as easily. The Assyrians thus invaded Judaea, a campaign recorded not only in Sennacherib's own accounts, but also in the Second Book of Kings in the Hebrew Bible. Though the biblical narrative holds that divine intervention by an angel ended Sennacherib's attack on Jerusalem by destroying the Assyrian army, an outright Assyrian defeat is unlikely as Hezekiah submitted to Sennacherib at the end of the campaign.[10] Contemporary records, even those written by Assyria's enemies, do not mention the Assyrians being defeated at Jerusalem.[11] Sennacherib transferred the capital of Assyria to Nineveh, where he had spent most of his time as crown prince. To transform Nineveh into a capital worthy of his empire, he launched one of the most ambitious building projects in ancient history. He expanded the size of the city, constructed great city walls, numerous temples and a royal garden. His most famous work in the city is the Southwest Palace, which Sennacherib named his "Palace without Rival". After the death of his eldest son and crown prince, Ashur-nadin-shumi, Sennacherib originally designated his second son Arda-Mulissu heir. He later replaced him with a younger son, Esarhaddon, in 684 BC, for unknown reasons. Sennacherib ignored Arda-Mulissu's repeated appeals to be reinstated as heir, and in 681 BC, Arda-Mulissu and another son murdered Sennacherib, hoping to seize power for themselves. Babylonia and the Levant welcomed his death as divine punishment, while the Assyrian heartland probably reacted with resentment and horror. Arda-Mulissu's coronation was postponed, and Esarhaddon raised an army and seized Nineveh, installing himself as king as intended by Sennacherib. Prophet Micah, Commemorated on August 14; Righteous Hezekiah, Commemorated on August 28; Prophet Nahum, Commemorated on December 1;

Persia, 600 BC, 7th Century BC Folder, Prophet Nahum

Persia, 700-675 BC, 7th Century BC, Dot 8, Prophet, Nahum, prophesied ends of Assyrian E, Nineva, and Israel
Galilee, 675 BC, 7th Century BC, Prophet, Nahum, prophesied ends of Assyrian E, Nineva, and Israel, fElkosh Galilee, prophesies Nineva end, Israel end, Sennacherib blasphemy, A empire crumbles 632-612BC, Nineveh fell 612, Nahum no call tRepentence&no denounce Israel infidelity, died age 45, 7th o12 minor prophets; Galilee Prophet, 7th Century BC, Nahum; was a minor prophet whose prophecy is recorded in the Tanakh, also called the Hebrew Bible and The Old Testament. book comes in chronological order between Micah and Habakkuk in the Bible.[1] wrote about the end of the Assyrian Empire, and its capital city, Nineveh, in a vivid poetic style.[2] was a very nationalistic Hebrew, and lived amongst the Elkoshites in peace. called "the Elkoshite", is the seventh in order of the minor prophets. Prophet Nahum, Commemorated on December 1; Holy Prophet Nahum, whose name means “God consoles,” was from the village of Elkosh (Galilee). lived during the seventh century B.C. Prophet Nahum prophesies the ruin of the Assyrian city of Nineveh because of its iniquity, destruction of the Israelite kingdom, the blasphemy of King Sennacherib against God. Assyrian king Ashurbanipal died in 632 B.C., and over the next two decades, his empire began to crumble. fell in 612 B.C. differs from most of the prophets in as much as he does not issue any call to repentance, nor does he denounce Israel for infidelity to God. of the prophet’s life are unknown. died at the age of forty-five, and was buried in his native region. is the seventh of the Twelve Minor Prophets. Prophet Nahum and Saint Nahum of Ochrid (December 23) are invoked for people with mental disorders.

Persia, 612 BC - 550 BC, Babylonian Empire History Folder

Persia, 600 BC, 7th Century BC Folder, Babylonian Empire

Persia, 681 - 669 BC, Assryan Emperor, Esarhaddon, Conquered Egypt, largest Empire ever
Persia, 681 - 669 BC, Assryan Emperor, Esarhaddon; Tobit Chapter 1: Sennacharib's sons kill him and Esarhaddon becomes King 21 But not forty* days passed before two of Sennacherib™s* sons killed him, and they fled to the mountains of Ararat, and his son Esar-haddon* reigned after him. He appointed Ahikar, the son of my brother Hanael* over all the accounts of his kingdom, and he had authority over the entire administration. 22Ahikar interceded for me, and I returned to Nineveh. Now Ahikar was chief cupbearer, keeper of the signet, and in charge of administration of the accounts under King Sennacherib of Assyria; so Esar-haddon* reappointed him. He was my nephew and so a close relative. ; Esarhaddon, also spelled Essarhaddon,[5] Assarhaddon[6] and Ashurhaddon[7] (Neo-Assyrian cuneiform: Rassam cylinder Ansharpapash.jpg, also Esarhaddon (variation).jpg «a-iddina,[8][9] meaning "Ashur has given me a brother"),[5] was the king of the Neo-Assyrian Empire from the death of his father Sennacherib in 681 BC to his own death in 669. The third king of the Sargonid dynasty, Esarhaddon is most famous for his conquest of Egypt in 671,[5] which made his empire the largest the world had ever seen, and for his reconstruction of Babylon, which had been destroyed by his father.[10] After Sennacherib's eldest son and heir Ashur-nadin-shumi had been captured and presumably executed in 694, the new heir had originally been the second eldest son, Arda-Mulissu, but in 684, Esarhaddon, a younger son, was appointed instead. Angered by this decision, Arda-Mulissu and another brother, Nabu-shar-usur, murdered their father in 681 and planned to seize the Assyrian throne. The murder, and Arda-Mulissu's aspirations of becoming king himself, made Esarhaddon's rise to the throne difficult and he first had to defeat his brothers in a six-week long civil war. His brothers' attempted coup had been unexpected and troublesome for Esarhaddon and he would be plagued by paranoia and mistrust for his officials, governors and male family members until the end of his reign. As a result of this paranoia, most of the palaces used by Esarhaddon were high-security fortifications located outside of the major population centers of the cities. Also perhaps resulting from his mistrust for his male relatives, Esarhaddon's female relatives, such as his mother Naqi'a and his daughter Serua-eterat, were allowed to wield considerably more influence and political power during his reign than women had been allowed in any previous period of Assyrian history. Despite a relatively short and difficult reign, and being plagued by paranoia, depression and constant illness, Esarhaddon remains recognized as one of the greatest and most successful Assyrian kings. He quickly defeated his brothers in 681, completed ambitious and large-scale building projects in both Assyria and Babylonia, successfully campaigned in Media, the Arabian Peninsula, Anatolia, the Caucasus, and the Levant, defeated and conquered Egypt, and ensured a peaceful transition of power to his two heirs Ashurbanipal and Shamash-shum-ukin after his death.

Persia, Media, 625-585 BC, King Cyaxares of the Medes
Persia, Media, 625-585 BC, King Cyaxares of the Medes; Cyaxares ( r. 625-“585 BC) was the third and most capable king of Media, according to Herodotus, with a far greater military reputation than his father Phraortes or grandfather Deioces. He was the first to divide his troops into separate sections of spearmen, archers, and horsemen.[7] By uniting most of the Iranian tribes of ancient Iran and conquering neighbouring territories, Cyaxares transformed the Median Empire into a regional power.[8] He facilitated the fall of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, and according to Herodotus repelled the Scythians from Media.[9] Tobit 14, Tobit™s Final Counsel, and Death of Tobit and Anna;

Persia, 550 BC - 330 BC, Achaemenid Empire History Folder

Persia, 500 BC, 6th Century BC Folder, Archaemenid Cyrus the Great

Persia, 550 BC - 330 BC, Achaemenid Empire, Babylon and Persia, Media
Persian Achaemenid Empire, 550-330 BC, Babylon; Persian Emperor, 559-530 BC, Cyrus the Great, Achaemenid Empire ; Persian Emperor, 522-486 BC, Darius I, Achaemenid Empire; Daniel 6:16-28, Daniel saved from the lions, then Daniel prospered during the reigns of Darius and Cyrus the Persian;

Persia, 559-530 BC, Archaemenid Emperor, Cyrus the Great
Persian Archaemenid Emperor, 559-530 BC, Cyrus the Great ; II of Persia (Old Persian: ÂÂ¡;[5][6] New Persian: ; c. 600 --“ 530 BC)[7] commonly known as Cyrus the Great,[8] and also called Cyrus the Elder by the Greeks, was the founder of the Achaemenid Empire, the first Persian Empire.[9] his rule, the empire embraced all the previous civilized states of the ancient Near East,[9] expanded vastly and eventually conquered most of Western Asia and much of Central Asia. From the Mediterranean Sea and Hellespont in the west to the Indus River in the east, Cyrus the Great created the largest empire the world had yet seen.[10] Under his successors, the empire eventually stretched at its maximum extent from parts of the Balkans (Bulgaria-Paeonia and Thrace-Macedonia) and Eastern Europe proper in the west, to the Indus Valley in the east. reign of Cyrus the Great lasted about thirty years. Cyrus built his empire by first conquering the Median Empire, then the Lydian Empire, and eventually the Neo-Babylonian Empire. He led an expedition into Central Asia, which resulted in major campaigns that were described as having brought "into subjection every nation without exception."[11] Cyrus did not venture into Egypt, and was alleged to have died in battle, fighting the Massagetae along the Syr Darya in December 530 BC.[12][13] but Xenophon said Cyrus did not die in battle and he returned to the capital again.[14] He was succeeded by his son, Cambyses II, who managed to conquer Egypt, Nubia, and Cyrenaica during his short rule. Cyrus the Great respected the customs and religions of the lands he conquered.[15] This became a very successful model for centralized administration and establishing a government working to the advantage and profit of its subjects.[9] In fact, the administration of the empire through satraps and the vital principle of forming a government at Pasargadae were the works of Cyrus.[16] What is sometimes referred to as the Edict of Restoration (actually two edicts) described in the Bible as being made by Cyrus the Great left a lasting legacy on the Jewish religion. According to Isaiah 45:1 of the Hebrew Bible,[17] God anointed Cyrus for this task, even referring to him as a messiah (lit. 'anointed one') and he is the only non-Jewish figure in the Bible to be called so.[18] the Great is also well recognized for his achievements in human rights, politics, and military strategy, as well as his influence on both Eastern and Western civilizations. Having originated from Persis, roughly corresponding to the modern Iranian province of Fars, Cyrus has played a crucial role in defining the national identity of modern Iran.[19][20][21] The Achaemenid influence in the ancient world eventually would extend as far as Athens, where upper-class Athenians adopted aspects of the culture of the ruling class of Achaemenid Persia as their own.[22] is a cult figure amongst modern Iranians, with his tomb serving as a spot of reverence for millions of people.[23] In the 1970s, the last Shah of Iran Mohammad Reza Pahlavi identified his famous proclamation inscribed onto the Cyrus Cylinder as the oldest known declaration of human rights,[24] and the Cylinder has since been popularized as such.[25][26][27] This view has been criticized by some historians[28] as a misunderstanding[29] of the Cylinder's generic nature as a traditional statement that new monarchs make at the beginning of their reign.[26][27][30] Persian Achaemenid Empire, 550-330 BC, Medo-Persian Empire; Persian Emperor, 522-486 BC, Darius I, Achaemenid Empire; Daniel 6:16-28, Daniel saved from the lions, then Daniel prospered during the reigns of Darius and Cyrus the Persian; Prophet Daniel, Commemorated on December 17; Holy Prophet Malachi, Commemorated on January 3; Prophet Isaiah, Commemorated on May 9;

Persia, 559BC-486BC, Pasargadae, Daniel, Malachi and Haggai Lived Here
Jerusalem, 586 BC-516 BC, Prophet, Daniel, During the 70 Yrs, Major Prophet, 4th, Babylonian Captivity 597 BC, Hansom 4 Daniel, Ananias, Azarias &Misael, King Nebuchadnezzar ordered Chaldean Language fine dress, 3yr order food kings table, but they refused his food&wine, they bread&water, they Lord's wisdom + Daniel granted insight dream interpretation, D trusted God' help, D surpassed C astrologers sorcerers wisdom so made Kings' confidant, King's strange dream, refused tell dream, ordered them executed for not knowing the dream, Daniel knew the dream & its meaning, revealed to him in vision, D elevated tRuler, &chief wise men, King's statue &order to worship it, 3 holy youths refused & thrown into furnace, flames killed Chaldeans standing near, but three unharmed singing psalms&prayer, Lord's Angel (Jesus) appeared cooled flames, Prophet Daniel identifies Angel as Jesus, emperor N converted, King Baltasar handwriting on wall interpreted by Daniel, downfall Babylonian empire, slandared D thrown tDen oHungry lions, but no touch, Mede Emperor Darius rejoices and ordered people serve D's God, D grieved fHis people, because they suffered B Captivity &Jerusalem destroyed for their sins, while Neb's dream Prophecied Kingdom oLord JC, the 70 weeks, 1st&2nd coming, connected t 70 wks; King Cyrus the Great - Pasargadae - Daniel Lived Here ; Prophet Daniel, Commemorated on December 17; Holy Prophet Daniel is the fourth of the major prophets. the years following 600 B.C. Jerusalem was conquered by the Babylonians, the Temple built by Solomon was destroyed, and many of the Israelite people were led away into the Babylonian Captivity. the captives were also the illustrious youths Daniel, Ananias, Azarias and Misael. Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon ordered that they be instructed in the Chaldean language and wisdom, and dressed them in finery. children of princely lineage were often chosen to serve as pages in the palace. three years, they would be fed from food from the king’s table. this they would be allowed to stand before his throne. was renamed Baltasar, was called Shadrach, was called Mishach, Azarias was known as Abednego. they, cleaving to their faith, disdained the extravagance of court, refusing to defile themselves by eating from the king’s table and drinking his wine. they lived on vegetables and water. Lord granted them wisdom, and to Saint Daniel the gift of insight and the interpretation of dreams. holy Prophet Daniel preserved his faith in the one God and trusted in His almighty help. surpassed all the Chaldean astrologers and sorcerers in his wisdom, and was made a confidant to King Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar had a strange dream which terrified him (Daniel 2:1-6). summoned magicians, sorcerers, and Chaldeans before him to interpret the dream. When they asked him what he had dreamt, the king refused to tell them. He said, “If you do not make known to me the dream and its interpretation, you shall be torn limb from limb, and your houses shall be laid in ruins.” Babylonian wise men protested that no magician or sorcerer could be expected to do this. Only the gods could reveal the dream and its meaning, they told him. king ordered all the wise men of Babylon to be executed. they sought Daniel and his companions to put them to death, Daniel asked that the king’s sentence not be carried out. said that he could tell the king what he dreamt, for it had been revealed to him in a vision. was brought before the king and was able to reveal not only the content of the dream, but also its prophetic significance. this, the king elevated Daniel to be ruler of the whole province of Babylon, and the chief of all the wise men. these times King Nebuchadnezzar ordered a huge statue to be made in his likeness. was decreed that when people heard the sound of trumpets and other instruments, they should fall down and worship the golden idol. they refused to do this, the three holy youths Ananias, Azarias and Misael were cast into a fiery furnace. flames shot out over the furnace forty-nine cubits, felling the Chaldeans standing about, the holy youths walked in the midst of the flames, offering prayer and psalmody to the Lord (Daniel 3:26-90). Angel of the Lord appeared in the furnace and cooled the flames, and the young men remained unharmed. “Angel of Great Counsel,” as he is called in iconography, is identified with the Son of God (Daniel 3:25, Isaiah 9:6). the first Canon for the Nativity of the Lord (Ode 5), the Church sings: “Thou hast sent us Thine Angel of Great Counsel.” emperor, upon seeing this, commanded them to come out, and was converted to the true God. King Baltasar, Saint Daniel interpreted a mysterious inscription (“Mane, Thekel, Phares”), which had appeared on the wall of the palace during a banquet (Daniel 5:1-31), the downfall of the Babylonian kingdom. Under the Persian emperor Darius, Daniel was slandered by his enemies, and was thrown into a den with hungry lions, but they did not touch him, and he was not harmed. emperor Darius then rejoiced over Daniel ordered people throughout his realm to worship the God of Daniel, “since He is the living and eternal God, and His Kingdom shall not be destroyed, and His dominion is forever” (Daniel 6:26). holy Prophet Daniel grieved deeply for his people, who then were undergoing righteous chastisement for a multitude of sins and offenses, transgressing the laws of God, resulting in the grievous Babylonian Captivity and the destruction of Jerusalem: “My God, incline Thine ear and hearken; open Thine eyes and look upon our desolation and that of Thy city, in which Thy Name is spoken; for we do not make our supplication before Thee because of our own righteousness, but because of Thy great mercy” (Dan 9:18). of Daniel’s righteous life and his prayers for the people’s iniquity, the destiny of the nation of Israel the fate of all the world was revealed to the holy prophet. interpreting the dream of King Nebuchadnezzar, the holy, glorious Prophet Daniel spoke of a great and final kingdom, the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ (Dan 2:44). prophetic vision about the seventy weeks (Dan 9:24-27) speaks about the signs of the First and the Second Comings of the Lord Jesus Christ, and is connected with those events (Daniel 12:1-12). Daniel interceded for his people before King Cyrus, who esteemed him highly, and who decreed freedom for the Israelite people. himself and his fellows Ananias, Azarias and Misael, all survived into old age, died in captivity. to the testimony of Saint Cyril of Alexandria (June 9), Saints Ananias, Azarias and Misael were beheaded on orders of the Persian emperor Chambyses. Daniel and the three holy youths are also commemorated on the Sunday of the Holy Forefathers, and on the Sunday of the Holy Fathers (Sunday before the Nativity).

Persia, 559BC-516BC, Pasargadae, Three Holy Youths, thrown tFiery Furnace, preserved by AoLord, Jesus
Persia, 586 BC - 516 BC, Dot 8, Babylon, Three Holy Youthsl, thrown tFiery Furnace, preserved by AoLord, Jesus, Ananias (God is Gracious) became Shadrach (royal) in chaldean, Azarias (who God helps) became Abednego (servant oNego), and Misael (Who is what God is) became Meshack (guest), all from Judah, chosen serve iKings palace wDaniel, they were thrown into fiery furnace for refusing worship idol, preserved by angel otLord (Jesus), 7th 8th Odes ot9Biblical Odes at back of Orthodox Septagint Psalter; The Three Holy Youths: Ananias, Azarias and Misael, Commemorated on December 17; Holy Youths Ananias (“God is gracious”), Azarias (“whom God helps”), and Misael (“Who is what God is?”) were companions of the Holy Prophet Daniel. were chosen to serve in the king’s palace with Daniel (Daniel 1:6) and were all from the tribe of Judah. gave Ananias the Chaldean name Shadrach (“royal”), Azarias the Chaldean name Abednego (“servant of Nego”), and Misael the Chaldean name Meshach (“guest”). were thrown into a fiery furnace when they refused to worship the golden idol set up by King Nebuchadnezzar, but the angel of the Lord preserved them (Daniel 3:25). Seventh and Eighth Odes of the nine Biblical Odes at the back of the Psalter are taken from The Song of the Three Holy Youths (found in the Septuagint text of the Old Testament used by the Orthodox Church). Three Holy Youths and the Prophet Daniel are also commemorated on the Sunday of the Holy Forefathers and the Sunday of the Holy Fathers.

Persia, 530BC-522 BC, Archaemenid Emperor, Cambyses II
Persian Archaemenid Emperor, 530BC-522 BC, Cambyses II; Prophet Daniel, Commemorated on December 17;

Persia, 522 BC-522 BC, Archaemenid Emperor, Bardiya, Legitimate Ruler overthrown by Darius with a lie
Persia, 522 BC-522 BC, Archaemenid Emperor, Bardiya; (Old Persian: [1] Bardiya),[2] also known as Smerdis among the Greeks[3] (possibly died 522 BC), was a son of Cyrus the Great and the younger brother of Cambyses II, both Persian kings. There are sharply divided views on his life. Bardiya either ruled the Achaemenid Empire for a few months in 522 BC, or was impersonated by a magus called Gaum), until he was toppled by Darius the Great.[4][5]

Persia, 522BC-486BC, Archaemenid Emperor, Darius I Hystaspis (The Great) Lied, Marathon, Organizer
Persian Archaemenid Emperor, 522BC-486 BC, Darius I Hystaspis (The Great); I , commonly known as Darius the Great, was the third Persian King of Kings of the Achaemenid Empire, reigning from 522 BCE until his death in 486 BCE. He ruled the empire at its peak, when it included much of West Asia, parts of the Caucasus, parts of the Balkans (Thrace-Macedonia, and Paeonia), most of the Black Sea coastal regions, Central Asia, as far as the Indus Valley in the far east and portions of north and northeast Africa including Egypt (Mudrya), eastern Libya, and coastal Sudan.[2][3] Darius ascended the throne by overthrowing the legitimate Achaemenid monarch Bardiya, whom he later fabricated to be an imposter named Gaumata. The new king met with rebellions throughout his kingdom and quelled them each time. A major event in Darius's life was his expedition to punish Athens and Eretria for their aid in the Ionian Revolt and subjugate Greece. Although ultimately ending in failure at the Battle of Marathon, Darius succeeded in the re-subjugation of Thrace, expansion of the empire through the conquest of Macedon, the Cyclades and the island of Naxos and the sacking of the city of Eretria. Darius organized the empire by dividing it into provinces and placing satraps to govern it. He organized Achaemenid coinage as a new uniform monetary system, along with making Aramaic the official language of the empire. He also put the empire in better standing by building roads and introducing standard weights and measures. Through these changes, the empire was centralized and unified.[4] Darius also worked on construction projects throughout the empire, focusing on Susa, Pasargadae, Persepolis, Babylon, and Egypt. He had the cliff-face Behistun Inscription carved to record his conquests, an important testimony of the Old Persian language. Darius is mentioned in the biblical books of Haggai, Zechariah, and Ezraâ€“Nehemiah. Persian Achaemenid Empire, 550-330 BC, Medo-Persian Empire; Persian Emperor, 559-530 BC, Cyrus the Great, Achaemenid Empire ; Daniel 6:16-28, Daniel saved from the lions, then Daniel prospered during the reigns of Darius and Cyrus the Persian; Prophet Haggai, Commemorated on December 16; Prophet Daniel, Commemorated on December 17; Holy Prophet Malachi, Commemorated on January 3;

Persia, 516 BC - 420 BC, Dot 8, Prophet, Malachi, 420BC for the book
Jerusalem, 516 BC - 420 BC, Malachi, Prophet, Right after the 70 Yrs, last of OT prophets, the seal, coming of Jesus and Forerunner, Last Judgement; Jerusalem, 516 BC, Prophet Malachi, During the 70 Yrs; is the traditional author of the Book of Malachi, the last book of the Nevi'im (Prophets) section of the Tanakh. According to the 1897 Easton's Bible Dictionary, it is possible that Malachi is not a proper name, but simply means "messenger".[1] editors of the 1906 Jewish Encyclopedia implied that he prophesied after Haggai and Zechariah and speculated that he delivered his prophecies about 420 BC, after the second return of Nehemiah from Persia,[2] or possibly before his return. No allusion is made to him by Ezra, however, and he does not directly mention the restoration of the Second Temple. Conception of the Honorable Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John, Commemorated on September 23; Holy Prophet Malachi, Commemorated on January 3; Holy Prophet Malachi lived 400 years before the Birth of Christ, at the time of the return of the Jews from the Babylonian Captivity. was the last of the Old Testament prophets, therefore the holy Fathers call him “the seal of the prophets.” himself an image of spiritual goodness and piety, he astounded the nation and was called Malachi, i.e., an angel. prophetic book is included in the Canon of the Old Testament. In it he upbraids the Jews, foretelling the coming of Jesus Christ and His Forerunner, and also the Last Judgment (Mal 3:1-5; 4:1-6).

Persia, 516 BC - 420 BC, Dot 8, Malach, last OT prophet, Right after t 70 Yrs, coming oJesus, Forerunner, Last Judgement
Jerusalem, 516 BC - 420 BC, Malachi, Prophet, Right after the 70 Yrs, last of OT prophets, the seal, coming of Jesus and Forerunner, Last Judgement; Jerusalem, 516 BC, Prophet Malachi, During the 70 Yrs; is the traditional author of the Book of Malachi, the last book of the Nevi'im (Prophets) section of the Tanakh. According to the 1897 Easton's Bible Dictionary, it is possible that Malachi is not a proper name, but simply means "messenger".[1] editors of the 1906 Jewish Encyclopedia implied that he prophesied after Haggai and Zechariah and speculated that he delivered his prophecies about 420 BC, after the second return of Nehemiah from Persia,[2] or possibly before his return. No allusion is made to him by Ezra, however, and he does not directly mention the restoration of the Second Temple. Conception of the Honorable Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John, Commemorated on September 23; Holy Prophet Malachi, Commemorated on January 3; Holy Prophet Malachi lived 400 years before the Birth of Christ, at the time of the return of the Jews from the Babylonian Captivity. was the last of the Old Testament prophets, therefore the holy Fathers call him “the seal of the prophets.” himself an image of spiritual goodness and piety, he astounded the nation and was called Malachi, i.e., an angel. prophetic book is included in the Canon of the Old Testament. In it he upbraids the Jews, foretelling the coming of Jesus Christ and His Forerunner, and also the Last Judgment (Mal 3:1-5; 4:1-6).

Persia, 400 BC, 5th Century BC Folder, Achaemenid E., Ester and Malachi

Persia, 486 BC-465 BC, Ahasuerus, Archaemenid Emperor, aka Xerxes I
Persia, 486 BC-465 BC, Ahasuerus, Archaemenid Emperor, aka Xerxes I ; Esther 1:1-4,10-19, King Ahasuerus Deposes Queen Vashti;

Persia, 465BC-424 BC, Achaemenid Emperor, Artaxerxes I of Persia
Persian Achaemenid Emperor, 465BC-424 BC, Artaxerxes I of Persia; Ezra 7:1-26, The Coming and Work of Ezra, The Letter of Artaxerxes to Ezra; Holy Prophet Malachi, Commemorated on January 3;

Persia, 445 BC Dot 7, Prophet Nehemiah, Left Bablylon captivity f Persia fJerusalem
Mesopotamia, 445 BC Dot 7, Prophet Nehemiah, Left Bablylon captivity from Persia for Jerusalem ; Prophet Nehemiah, Commemorated on December 11; Old Testament book of Nehemiah tells of how he returned from the Captivity in Babylon in the twentieth year of the Persian King Artaxerxes (445/444 B.C.) to rebuild Jerusalem and to govern the province. and Ezra purified the Jewish people by making known the Law of Moses, and forcing the men to divorce their pagan wives. Babylon

Persia, 445 BC Dot 7, Nehemiah&Ezra purified tpeople wMoses' Law &forcing divorce tpagan wives
Mesopotamia, 445 BC Dot 7, Prophet Nehemiah, Left Bablylon captivity from Persia for Jerusalem ; Prophet Nehemiah, Commemorated on December 11; Old Testament book of Nehemiah tells of how he returned from the Captivity in Babylon in the twentieth year of the Persian King Artaxerxes (445/444 B.C.) to rebuild Jerusalem and to govern the province. and Ezra purified the Jewish people by making known the Law of Moses, and forcing the men to divorce their pagan wives. Babylon

Persia, 312 BC - 240 BC, Seleucid Empire History Folder, Helenist

Persia, 300 BC, 4th Century BC Folder, Seleucid Empire in Seleucia

Persia, 247 BC - 224 AD, Parthian Empire of Persia History Folder

Persia, 200 BC, 3rd Century BC Folder, Parthian Empire, Kings of Epiphany

Persia, 247BC-224AD, Parthian (Arsacid) Empire, Ctesiphon, Zoroastrian
Persian Parthian (Arsacid) Empire, 247BC-224AD, Ctesiphon, Zoroastrian ; Commemoration of the apparition of the Pillar with the Robe of the Lord under it at Mtskheta in Georgia, Commemorated on October 1; St Sidonia of Georgia, Commemorated on October 1; Apostle Jude the Brother of the Lord, Commemorated on June 19;

Persia, 247BC-651AD, Persian Capital, Ctesiphon, Persia (Tigris River 7)
Persian Capital, 247BC-651AD, Ctesiphon, Persia (Tigris River 7); Virginmartyr Syra of Persia, Commemorated on August 24; Greatmartyr Artemius at Antioch. Commemorated October 20 ; Monkmartyr Anastasius the Persian, Commemorated on January 22 ; St Maruthas the Bishop of Martyropolis in Mesopotamia, Commemorated on February 16; Martyr Bata the Persian, Commemorated on May 1; Apostle Jude the Brother of the Lord, Commemorated on June 19;

Persia, 000, 1st Century BC Folder, Parthian Empire, Kings of Epiphany

Persia, 5BC-41, Emperor, Artabanus II of Media and Parthia, Jesus time caalled Artabanus III
Persia, 10-40, Emperor, Artabanus II of Media and Parthia, Jesus time caalled Artabanus III; II incorrectly known in older scholarship as Artabanus III,[1] was King of Kings of the Parthian Empire from 12 to 38/41, with a one-year interruption. He was the nephew and successor of Vonones I (r. 8–12). His father was a Dahae prince, whilst his mother was a daughter of the Parthian King of Kings Phraates IV (r. 37–2 BC) his ascension to the Parthian crown, Artabanus had ruled as king of Media Atropatene, which later served as his base of attacks against the Roman-supported Parthian king Vonones I. Artabanus eventually defeated Vonones I, who fled to Armenia and became its king. Artabanus' efforts to replace Vonones I with his son were blocked by the Romans, who eventually reached an agreement with the Parthians to appoint Artaxias III the new king of Armenia and renounce their support of Vonones I. and kingship of Media Atropatene was not from the ruling branch of the Arsacid royal family; his father was a Dahae prince, who was most likely descended from the former Parthian monarch Mithridates II (r. 124-88 BC),[3][4] whilst his mother was a daughter of the incumbent Parthian King of Kings Phraates IV (r. 37-2 BC).[4] between 30–25 BC, Artabanus was raised amongst the Dahae in Central Asia.[5] When he reached adulthood, he became the ruler of Media Atropatene, which occurred sometime during the late reign of Phraates IV or during the reign of the latters son and successor Phraates V (r. 4 BC -2 AD).[5] factor behind Artabanus' rise to kingship of Media Atropatene is unclear.[5] The kingdom served as Artabanus' headquarters of his attacks against the Parthian king Vonones I (r. 8-12 AD), with whom he fought against over the crown.[5] I, who had originally resided in Rome, had been placed on the Parthian throne by a faction led by the Karin and Suren clans.[6][7] His rule was supported by the Romans.[1] However, the Parthian nobility was quickly alienated by Vonones I, who had become Romanized during his stay in Rome.[7][1] increased Artabanus' odds—after years of fighting—to finally defeat Vonones I, who fled to Armenia and became its king.[7] now the monarch of the Parthian Empire, attempted to depose Vonones I from the Armenian throne and appoint his own son instead.[7] This attempt was instantly opposed by the Romans, who regarded this as posing a danger to their interests.[7] As a result, the Roman emperor Tiberius (r. 14–37 AD) sent his stepson Germanicus to prevent this from happening.[7] However, the Roman general met no resistance from the Parthians. Instead, Germanicus reached an agreement with Artabanus to appoint Artaxias III the new king of Armenia and renounce their support of Vonones I.[7][8] The Romans thus acknowledged Artabanus as the legitimate Parthian ruler.[8] In order to ratify the friendly relationship between the two empires, Artabanus and Germanicus met on an island in the Euphrates in 18 AD.[7] in Greek of the Parthian king Artabanus II to the inhabitants of Susa in the 1st century CE, requesting the appointment of Hecataeus as treasurer. Louvre Museum.[9] Romans moved Vonones I to Cilicia, where he was killed the following year after attempting to flee.[1] His death and the now unchallenged dominance of Artabanus split the Parthian nobility, since not all of them supported a new branch of the Arsacid family taking over the empire.[3] In 19/20 AD, the Parthian satrap of Sakastan, Drangiana and Arachosia, named Gondophares, declared independence from Artabanus and founded the Indo-Parthian Kingdom.[10][3] He assumed the titles of "Great King of Kings" and "Autokrator", demonstrating his new-found independence.[3] Nevertheless, Artabanus and Gondophares most likely reached an agreement that the Indo-Parthians would not intervene in the affairs of the Arsacids.[10] spent the following years increasing his authority.[1] To the north-east, he was victorious in his efforts to have a new dynasty established in Khwarazm, thus starting a new era in the history of the country.[11] Artabanus most likely operated in western Bactria as well, which had been part of the Parthian domains for centuries.[10] 35 AD, Artabanus tried again to conquer Armenia and to establish his son Arsaces I as Armenia's king. A war with Rome seemed inevitable. The faction among the Parthian magnates which was hostile to Artabanus II applied to Tiberius for a king who was a descendant of Phraates IV. Tiberius sent Phraates IV's grandson, Tiridates III, and ordered Lucius Vitellius the Elder (the father of the Roman emperor Vitellius) to restore Roman authority in the East. By very dexterous military and diplomatic operations Vitellius succeeded completely. Artabanus II was deserted by his followers and fled to the East. III, who was proclaimed King, could not keep control of the Parthian throne, because he appeared to his subjects to be a vassal of the Romans. In the meantime, Artabanus II returned from Hyrcania with a strong army of Scythian (Dahae) auxiliaries and was again acknowledged by the Parthians. Tiridates III left Seleucia and fled to Syria. Artabanus II wasn’t strong enough for a war with Rome. He therefore concluded a treaty with Vitellius in 37 AD, in which he gave up all further pretensions towards Armenia. A short time afterwards Artabanus II was deposed again, and Cinnamus was proclaimed king. Artabanus II took refuge with his vassal, the King Izates bar Monobaz. Izates, by negotiations and the promise of a complete pardon, persuaded the Parthians to restore Artabanus II once more to the throne. Shortly afterwards Artabanus II died and was succeeded by his son, Vardanes I, whose reign was still more turbulent than that of his father. II had four sons: Arsaces I, Orodes, Artabanus, Vardanes I and an adopted son named Gotarzes II. Persia, 10-40, Emperor, Jesus' Time, Artabanus III of Parthia ; III, incorrectly known in older scholarship as Artabanus IV,[1] was a Parthian prince who competed against his brother Pacorus II (r. 78-110) for the Parthian crown from 79/80 to 81.[1] III's claim to the throne seems to have little support in the Parthian Empire, with the exception of Babylonia.[1] III's most notable action was to give refuge to a Pseudo-Nero named Terentius Maximus.[2][1] Artabanus III initially agreed to lend military aid to Terentius Maximus to capture Rome, until he found about the real identity of the impostor.[2] mints of Artabanus III disappear after 81, which suggests that Pacorus II had defeated him.[1] Persian Parthian Empire, 247BC-224AD, Ctesiphon, Zoroastrian; St Sidonia of Georgia, Commemorated on October 1; SIMON AND JUDE, APOSTLES (OCT 28); THE FEAST OF THE HOLY EPIPHANY, (6 January); Apostle Jude the Brother of the Lord, Commemorated on June 19;

Persia, 2 BC - 4 AD, Parthian Emperor, Phraates V, son of slave girl Musa, peace over A and M, fled to Rome
Persian Parthian Emperor, 2 BC - 4 AD, Phraates V; V (Parthian: , also known by the diminutive version of his name, Phraataces (also spelled Phraatakes), was the King of Kings of the Parthian Empire from 2 BC to 4 AD. He was the younger son of Phraates IV (r. 37 BC -2 BC) and Musa, who ruled with him. Under Phraates V, a war threatened to break out between the Parthian and Roman empires over the control of Armenia and Mesopotamia. Although Augustus (r. 27 BC -“ 14 AD) had sent his adopted son Gaius Caesar to invade Iran, in 1 AD the two sides agreed a peace treaty, by which once again Armenia was recognized as being in the Roman sphere. Phraates V was in return acknowledged as the rightful Parthian king, which was of high importance to him, due to his insecure position in the country. In 4 AD, Phraates V and his mother fled to Rome after being expelled by the Parthian nobility, who crowned Orodes III as king. Persian Parthian Empire, 247BC-224AD, Ctesiphon, Zoroastrian; THE FEAST OF THE HOLY EPIPHANY, (6 January);

Persia, 2 BC - 4 AD, Parthian Emperor, Musa of Parthia (Empress), Roman Slave, Killed husband
Persian Parthian Emperor, 2 BC - 4 AD, Musa of Parthia (Empress); (also spelled Mousa), also known as Thea Musa, was queen of the Parthian Empire from 2 BC to 4 AD. Originally an Italian slave-girl, she was given as a gift to the Parthian monarch Phraates IV (r. 37 BC -2 BC) by the Roman Emperor Augustus (r. 27 BC -“ 14 AD). She quickly became queen and a favourite of Phraates IV, giving birth to Phraataces (Phraates V). In 2 BC, she had Phraates IV poisoned and made herself, along with Phraates V, the co-rulers of the empire. Their reign was shortlived; they were forced to flee to Rome after being deposed by the Parthian nobility, who crowned Orodes III as king. Musa is the first of only three women to rule in Iranian history, the others being the two 7th-century Sasanian sisters Boran (r. 630-“630, 631-“632) and Azarmidokht (r. 630-“631). Persian Parthian Empire, 247BC-224AD, Ctesiphon, Zoroastrian; THE FEAST OF THE HOLY EPIPHANY, (6 January);

Persia, 000, 1st Century AD Folder, Parthia, Kings of E., and Assyrian Empire

Persia, 1 AD, The Magi, from Persia to Jerusalem and Bethlehem, because Savior, Lord, Nativity revealed by wonderous star
Jerusalem, 1 AD, The Nativity, Bethlehem, Judea, Agustus' census, King David's house in Bethlehem, cave used as a stable, birth without travail, swaddling clothes, Manger, midnight, Gabriel announced to shepherds, great joy, all people, born today, Savior, the Lord, Nativity revealed to Magi by wonderous star; Bethlehem; The Adoration of the Magi: Melchior, Caspar, and Balthasar, Commemorated on December 25; Nativity of Christ was revealed to the Magi by a wondrous star. Saint John Chrysostom and Saint Theophylactus, commenting on Saint Matthew’s Gospel, say that this was no ordinary star. Rather, it was “a divine and angelic power that appeared in the form of a star.” Saint Demetrius of Rostov says it was a “manifestation of divine energy” (Narrative of the Adoration of the Magi). Entering the house where the Infant lay, the Magi “fell down, and worshipped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented Him gifts: gold, and frankincense, and myrrh” (Mt. 2:11). names of the three Wise Men (Magi) do not appear in the Gospels. The tradition that there were three visitors from the east is very ancient, but their names are only mentioned in the Middle Ages. reputed to be the relics of the three kings have been in the cathedral at Cologne, Germany since 1164. The Nativity of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ, Commemorated on December 25; Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, was born of the Most Holy Virgin Mary in the city of Bethlehem during the reign of the emperor Augustus (Octavian). Caesar Augustus decreed that a universal census be made throughout his Empire, which then also included Palestinian Israel. Jews were accustomed to be counted in the city from where their family came. The Most Holy Virgin and the Righteous Joseph, since they were descended from the house and lineage of King David, had to go to Bethlehem to be counted and taxed. Bethlehem they found no room at any of the city’s inns. Thus, the God-Man, the Savior of the world, was born in a cave that was used as a stable. “I behold a strange and most glorious mystery,” the Church sings with awe, “Heaven, a Cave; the Virgin the Throne of the Cherubim; the Manger a room, in which Christ, the God Whom nothing can contain is laid.” (Irmos of the 9th Ode of the Nativity Canon). given birth to the divine Infant without travail, the Most Holy Virgin “wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger” (Luke 2:7). the stillness of midnight (Wisdom of Solomon 18:14-15), the proclamation of the birth of the Savior of the world was heard by three shepherds watching their flocks by night. angel of the Lord (Saint Cyprian says this was Gabriel) came before them and said: “Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11). humble shepherds were the first to offer worship to Him Who condescended to assume the form of a humble servant for the salvation of mankind. Besides the glad tidings to the Bethlehem shepherds, Nativity of Christ was revealed to the Magi by a wondrous star. Saint John Chrysostom and Saint Theophylactus, commenting on Saint Matthew’s Gospel, say that this was no ordinary star. Rather, it was “a divine and angelic power that appeared in the form of a star.” Saint Demetrius of Rostov says it was a “manifestation of divine energy” (Narrative of the Adoration of the Magi). Entering the house where the Infant lay, the Magi “fell down, and worshipped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented Him gifts: gold, and frankincense, and myrrh” (Mt. 2:11). present Feast, commemorating the Nativity in the flesh of our Lord Jesus Christ, was established by the Church. Its origin goes back to the time of the Apostles. In the Apostolic Constitutions (Section 3, 13) it says, “Brethren, observe the feastdays; and first of all the Birth of Christ, which you are to celebrate on the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month.” In another place it also says, “Celebrate the day of the Nativity of Christ, on which unseen grace is given man by the birth of the Word of God from the Virgin Mary for the salvation of the world.” the second century Saint Clement of Alexandria also indicates that the day of the Nativity of Christ is December 25. In the third century Saint Hippolytus of Rome mentions the Feast of the Nativity of Christ, and appoints the Gospel readings for this day from the opening chapters of Saint Matthew. 302, during the persecution of Christians by Maximian, 20,000 Christians of Nicomedia (December 28) were burned in church on the very Feast of the Nativity of Christ. In that same century, after the persecution when the Church had received freedom of religion and had become the official religion in the Roman Empire, we find the Feast of the Nativity of Christ observed throughout the entire Church. There is evidence of this in the works of Saint Ephraim the Syrian, Saint Basil the Great, Saint Gregory the Theologian, Saint Gregory of Nyssa, Saint Ambrose of Milan, Saint John Chrysostom and other Fathers of the Church of the fourth century. John Chrysostom, in a sermon which he gave in the year 385, points out that the Feast of the Nativity of Christ is ancient, and indeed very ancient. In this same century, at the Cave of Bethlehem, made famous by the Birth of Jesus Christ, the empress Saint Helen built a church, which her mighty son Constantine adorned after her death. In the Codex of the emperor Theodosius from 438, and of the emperor Justinian in 535, the universal celebration of the day of the Nativity of Christ was decreed by law. Thus, Nikēphóros Callistus, a writer of the fourteenth century, says in his History that in the sixth century, the emperor Justinian established the celebration of the Nativity of Christ throughout all the world. Anatolius of Constantinople in the fifth century, Sophronius and Andrew of Jerusalem in the seventh, Saints John of Damascus, Cosmas of Maium and Patriarch Germanus of Constantinople in the eighth, the Nun Cassiane in the ninth, and others whose names are unknown, wrote many sacred hymns for the Feast of the Nativity of Christ, which are still sung by the Church on this radiant festival. the first three centuries, in the Churches of Jerusalem, Antioch, Alexandria and Cyprus, the Nativity of Christ was combined together with the Feast of His Baptism on January 6, and called “Theophany” (“Manifestation of God”). This was because of a belief that Christ was baptized on anniversary of His birth, which may be inferred from Saint John Chrysostom’s sermon on the Nativity of Christ: “it is not the day on which Christ was born which is called Theophany, but rather that day on which He was baptized.” support of such a view, it is possible to cite the words of the Evangelist Luke who says that “Jesus began to be about thirty years of age” (Luke 3:23) when He was baptized. The joint celebration of the Nativity of Christ and His Theophany continued to the end of the fourth century in certain Eastern Churches, and until the fifth or sixth century in others. present order of services preserves the memory of the ancient joint celebration of the Feasts of the Nativity of Christ and Theophany. On the eve of both Feasts, there is a similar tradition that one should fast until the stars appear. The order of divine services on the eve of both feastdays and the feastdays themselves is the same. Nativity of Christ has long been counted as one of the Twelve Great Feasts. It is one of the greatest, most joyful and wondrous events in the history of the world. “The angel said to the shepherds, ‘Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.’ Then suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly hosts, glorifying God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’ Those who heard these things were astonished at what the shepherds told them concerning the Child. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen” (Luke 2:10-20). the Nativity of Christ, a most profound and extraordinary event, was accompanied by the wondrous tidings proclaimed to the shepherds and to the Magi. This is a cause of universal rejoicing for all mankind, “for the Savior is Born!” with the witness of the Gospel, the Fathers of the Church, in their God-inspired writings, describe the Feast of the Nativity of Christ as most profound, and joyous, serving as the basis and foundation for all the other Feasts. is Born! Glorify Him! also: Discourse on the Nativity of Christ by Saint Gregory Thaumatourgos, Bishop of Neocaesarea. Commemoration of the Shepherds in Bethlehem who were watching their flocks, and went to see the Lord. Commemorated December 25; the stillness of midnight (Wisdom of Solomon 18:14-15), the proclamation of the birth of the Savior of the world was heard by three shepherds watching their flocks by night. angel of the Lord (Saint Cyprian says this was Gabriel) came before them and said: “Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11). humble shepherds were the first to offer worship to Him Who condescended to assume the form of a humble servant for the salvation of mankind.

Persia, 4-6, Parthian Emperor, Orodes III of Parthia, info lacking, killed after 2 yrs
Persian Parthian Emperor, 4-6, Orodes III of Parthia; III was king of the Parthian Empire from 4 to 6.[1] Albeit he was an Arsacid, his lineage is unknown.[2] He was raised to the throne by the nobility two years after the death of the previous co-rulers, Phraates V and Musa (r. 2 BC - 4 AD).[1] Information regarding the brief reign of Orodes III is lacking.[3] He was killed after a reign of 2 years.[1] He was succeeded by Vonones I.[1] Persian Parthian Empire, 247BC-224AD, Ctesiphon, Zoroastrian; THE FEAST OF THE HOLY EPIPHANY, (6 January);

Persia, 8-12, Parthian Emperor, Vonones I, King of Armenia 12-18, Roman Stooge in 8, d by Artabanus II, Media, in 12
Persian Parthian Emperor, 8-12, Vonones I ; I was an Arsacid prince, who ruled as King of Kings of Parthian Empire from 8 to 12, and then subsequently as king of Armenia from 12 to 18. He was the eldest son of Phraates IV (r. 37–2 BC) and was sent to Rome as a hostage in 10/9 BC in order to prevent conflict over the succession of Phraates IV's youngest son, Phraataces. and early life[edit] was the eldest son of Phraates IV.[1] According to the classical Roman historian Tacitus, Vonones was related to the Scythian king.[2] IV had previously in his reign been aided by the Scythians to retake his throne from the usurper Tiridates in c. 30 BC, and thus Vonones could possibly be the result of a marriage alliance between Phraates IV and a Scythian tribal chief, who agreed to help him in return.[3] was along with three of his brothers (Phraates, Seraspandes and Rhodaspes) sent to Rome in 10/9 BC, in order to prevent conflict over the succession of Phraates IV's youngest son, Phraataces.[4] Roman emperor Augustus used this as propaganda depicting the submission of Parthia to Rome, listing it as a great accomplishment in his Res Gestae Divi Augusti.[5] the assassination of Orodes III in about 6 AD, the Parthians applied to Augustus for a new king from the house of Arsaces.[6] sent them Vonones I, but he could not maintain himself as king; he had been educated as a Roman, and was despised by the Parthian nobility as a Roman stooge.[6][7] member of the Arsacid house, Artabanus II, who ruled Media Atropatene, was invited to the throne. In a civil war he defeated and expelled Vonones I.[7] I fled into Armenia and became king there in 12.[8] Artabanus II, now the monarch of the Parthian Empire, attempted to depose Vonones I from the Armenian throne and appoint his own son instead.[9] This was opposed by the Romans, who regarded this as posing a danger to their interests.[9] As a result, the Roman emperor Tiberius (r. 14–37) sent his stepson Germanicus to prevent this from happening.[9] However, the Roman general was met with no resistance by the Parthians, and reached an agreement with Artabanus II to appoint Artaxias III the new King of Armenia and renounce their support of Vonones I.[9][10] The Romans thus acknowledged Artabanus II as the legitimate Parthian ruler.[10] In order to ratify the friendly relationship between the two empires, Artabanus and Germanicus met on an island in the Euphrates in 18.[9] The Romans moved Vonones I into Syria, where he was kept in custody, though in a kingly style.[11] Later he was moved to Cilicia,[12] and when he tried to escape in about 19, he was killed by his guards.[13][7] death and the now unchallenged dominance of Artabanus II split the Parthian nobility, since not all of them supported a new branch of the Arsacid family taking over the empire.[14] The Parthian satrap of Sakastan, Drangiana and Arachosia, named Gondophares, declared independence from Artabanus II and founded the Indo-Parthian Kingdom.[15][14] He assumed the titles of "Great King of Kings" and "Autokrator", demonstrating his new-found independence.[14] Nevertheless, Artabanus and Gondophares most likely reached an agreement that the Indo-Parthians would not intervene in the affairs of the Arsacids.[15] Vonones was survived by his son Meherdates, who attempted to take the Parthian throne in 49–51.[16] Persian Parthian Empire, 247BC-224AD, Ctesiphon, Zoroastrian; THE FEAST OF THE HOLY EPIPHANY, (6 January);

Persia, 15-116, Adiabene Kingdom, northwestern Assyria, or northern Mesopotamia, inside crecent of the Zargos mts
Assyrian Adiabene Kingdom, 15-116 ; was an ancient kingdom in northern Mesopotamia, corresponding to the northwestern part of ancient Assyria.[5] The size of the kingdom varied over time; initially encompassing an area between the Zab Rivers, it eventually gained control of Nineveh, and starting at least with the rule of Monobazos I (late 1st-century BC), Gordyene became an Adiabenian dependency.[6] It reached its zenith under Izates II, who was granted the district of Nisibis by the Parthian king Artabanus II (r. 12–40) as a reward for helping him regain his throne.[7][8] Adiabene's eastern borders stopped at the Zagros Mountains, adjacent to the region of Media.[9] Arbela served as the capital of Adiabene.[10] formation of the kingdom is obscure. The first instance of a recorded Adiabenian ruler is in 69 BC, when an unnamed king of Adiabene participated in the battle of Tigranocerta as an ally of the Armenian king Tigranes the Great (r. 95–55 BC).[11] However, coinage implies the establishment of a kingdom in Adiabene around 164 BC, following the disintegration of Greek Seleucid rule in the Near East.[12][13] Adiabene was conquered by the Parthian king Mithridates I (r. 171–132 BC) in ca. 145–141 BC, and by at least from the reign of Mithridates II (r. 124–91 BC) served as an integral part of the Parthian realm.[14] rulers converted to Judaism from paganism in the 1st century AD.[15] Queen Helena of Adiabene (known in Jewish sources as Heleni HaMalka, meaning Helene the Queen) moved to Jerusalem, where she built palaces for herself and her sons, Izates bar Monobaz and Monobaz II at the northern part of the city of David, south of the Temple Mount, and aided the Jews in their war with Rome.[16] According to the Talmud, both Helena and Monobaz donated large funds for the Temple of Jerusalem. After 115 CE, there are no historic traces of Jewish royalty in Adiabene. Parthians were overthrown by the Sasanian Empire in 224, who by the time of Shapur I (r. 240–270) had established their rule in Adiabene.[7] Ardashir II is the last figure to be recorded as king of Adiabene, which implies that the kingdom was after his tenure in c. 379 transformed into a province (shahr), governed by a non-royal delegate (marzban or shahrab) of the Sasanian king.[17] Apostle Thaddeus of the Seventy, Commemorated on August 21 ;

Parthia, 30-38, THOMAS, Madras, Doubting Thomas, p loyal, aTouching greatest apostle, many places&arab icon appearances
India, 38-72, Apostle Thomas, Madras, absent when Jesus appeared on Easter Day, refused tBelieve resurrection, until he saw him and said My Lord..., Doubting Thomas, but previously proven loyal, let us also go..., at last supper said we don't know where you go, How do we know the way, Jesus said I am the way, preached in india, Kerla district, Madras, still Christians there connected to Thomas, From OCA Thomas fPansata Galilee, fisherman, hearing Jesus he left all and followed him, one of the 12, not present Pascha, unless I see his hands, 8days later My Lord My God, Thomas toiled more bravely zealously tirelessly than them all, he went to nearly al the earth's people, tPalestine Mesopotamia Parthia Ethiopia and India, died as martyr after converting wife son Perfect oMelipur, his relics to India Hungary Mt Athos, Arabian Icon appeared to him in Ethiopia Arabia & India; Holy, Glorious Apostle Thomas, Commemorated on October 6, ; East Africa, 1st Century, Apostle Thomas; the Apostle was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus according to the New Testament. Thomas is commonly known as "Doubting Thomas" because he doubted Jesus' resurrection when first told of it (as related in the Gospel of John alone); later, he confessed his faith ("My Lord and my God") on seeing Jesus' crucifixion wounds. to traditional accounts of the Saint Thomas Christians of modern-day Kerala in India, Thomas is believed to have travelled outside the Roman Empire to preach the Gospel, travelling as far as the Tamilakam which is in South India.[1][5][6][7] According to their tradition, Thomas reached Muziris of Tamilakam (modern-day North Paravur and Kodungalloor in Kerala State, India) in AD 52.[8][9][1] In 1258, some of the relics were brought to Ortona, in Abruzzo, Italy, where they have been held in the Church of Saint Thomas the Apostle.[10] He is often regarded as the patron saint of India among its Christian adherents,[11][12] and the Feast of Saint Thomas on July 3 is celebrated as Indian Christian Day by believers belonging to many Christian denominations.[13][14] The name Thomas remains quite popular among the Saint Thomas Christians of the Indian subcontinent. Arapet Icon of the Mother of God, Commemorated on September 6; Arapet, or “Arabian” Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos appeared while the holy Apostle Thomas (October 6) was evangelizing Ethiopia, Arabia, and India. of the usual three stars (signifying the perpetual virginity of the Mother of God), the outer garment of the Theotokos has three circles with the head of an angel inside each one. In this feature, it resembles the icons “In Giving Birth you Preserved your Virginity” (“A Virgin Before and After Giving Birth”) (October 17) and “O All-Hymned Mother” (October 6). Holy, Glorious Apostle Thomas, Commemorated on October 6, From OCA Thomas fPansata Galilee, fisherman, hearing Jesus he left all and followed him, one of the 12, not present Pascha, unless I see his hands, 8days later My Lord My God, Thomas toiled more bravely zealously tirelessly than them all, he went to nearly al the earth's people, tPalestine Mesopotamia Parthia Ethiopia and India, died as martyr after converting wife son Perfect oMelipur, his relics to India Hungary Mt Athos, Arabian Icon appeared to him in Ethiopia Arabia & India; Holy and Glorious Apostle Thomas was born in the Galilean city of Pansada was a fisherman. the good tidings of Jesus Christ, he left all and followed after Him. Apostle Thomas is included in the number of the holy Twelve Apostles of the Savior. to Holy Scripture, the holy Apostle Thomas did not believe the reports of the other disciples about the Resurrection of Jesus Christ: “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into His side, I will not believe” (John 20:25). the eighth day after the Resurrection, the Lord appeared to the Apostle Thomas and showed him His wounds. “My Lord and my God,” the Apostle cried out (John 20:28). “Thomas, being once weaker in faith than the other apostles,” says Saint John Chrysostom, “toiled through the grace of God more bravely, more zealously and tirelessly than them all, that he went preaching over nearly all the earth, not fearing to proclaim the Word of God to savage nations.” icons depicting this event are inscribed “The Doubting Thomas.” is incorrect. In Greek, the inscription reads, “The Touching of Thomas.” Slavonic, it says, “The Belief of Thomas.” Saint Thomas touched the Life-giving side of the Lord, he no longer had any doubts. to Church Tradition, the holy Apostle Thomas founded Christian churches in Palestine, Mesopotamia, Parthia, Ethiopia and India. the Gospel earned him a martyr’s death. having converted the wife and son of the prefect of the Indian city of Meliapur [Melipur], the holy apostle was locked up in prison, suffered torture, and finally, pierced with five spears, he departed to the Lord. of the relics of the holy Apostle Thomas are in India, in Hungary and on Mt. Athos. name of the Apostle Thomas is associated with the Arabian (or Arapet) Icon of the Mother of God (September 6). THOMAS THE APOSTLE, (21 DEC NT); Apostle Thomas (Hebrew or Aramaic for "twin") was also called "Didymus" (Greek for "twin"). was absent when the Risen Lord appeared to the other apostles on the evening of Easter Day, refused to believe that Christ had indeed risen until he had seen him for himself, when he had seen Him, he said to Him, "My Lord and My God." (John 20:19-29) of this episode, he has been known ever since as "Doubting Thomas." we ought also to remember his earlier words, when Jesus announced His intention of going to the Jerusalem area, aside the protests of His disciples that His life was in danger there, at which Thomas said to the others: us also go, that we may die with him." (John 11:7,8,16) Thomas was pessimistic, he was also sturdily loyal. the Last Supper, Jesus said: "I go to prepare a place for you.... And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know." replied: "Lord, we know not whither thou goest, and how can we know the way?" this Jesus answered: "I am the way, the truth and the life." (John 14:1-6) Thomas is mentioned again (John 21) as one of the seven disciples who were fishing on the Sea of Galilee (Sea of Tiberias) when the Risen Lord appeared to them. from this he appears in the New Testament only as a name on lists of the Apostles. couple of centuries later a story was circulating in the Mediterranean world that he had gone to preach in India; there is a Christian community in India (the Kerala district) that claims descent from Christians converted by the the preaching of Thomas. tradition among Christians in India is that Thomas was speared to death near Madras, accordingly he is often pictured holding a spear. Paintings of martyrs often show them holding or accompanied by the instruments with which they were put to death. recently discovered work called the Gospel of Thomas is a collection of sayings attributed to Jesus. I know of no scholarly support for the notion that it is the work of the Apostle Thomas, but some scholars think that some of the sayings in it may be authentic sayings of Jesus. POEM These things did Thomas hold for real: the warmth of blood, the chill of steel, the grain of wood, the heft of stone, the last frail twitch of blood and bone. His brittle certainties denied that one could live when one had died, until his fingers read like Braille the markings of the spear and nail. May we, O God, by grace believe and, in believing, still receive the Christ who held His raw palms out and beckoned Thomas from his doubt. (Thomas Troeger, 1984, Psalter/Hymnal of the Christian Reformed Church) by James Kiefer

Persia, 30-70, Lucius of the Seventy, Apostle, Laodicia, Syria, which belonged to Parthia for Med China Trade
Laodicea in Syria; Apostle Lucius of the Seventy, Commemorated on September 10; Apostle Lucius of the Seventy, Commemorated September 10; Saint Luke (or Loukias) Luke, or Loukias (not the Evangelist), lived during the first century. Some lists of these Saints identify him as the Evangelist Luke, who was also one of the 70 Apostles, but Greek sources say he was someone other than the Evangelist Luke. However, Saint Demetrios of Rostov, and Slavic Tradition say that he was the Evangelist Luke (See his Life on October 18). Saint was consecrated as the Bishop of Laodikeia in Syria, and completed the course of his life spreading the Gospel and caring for his flock, as a faithful servant of Jesus Christ. Apostle Lucius of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; ----------- Repose of St Raphael the Bishop of Brooklyn, Commemorated on February 27; Hieromartyr Artemon the Presbyter of Laodicea in Syria, Commemorated on April 13;

Persia, 30-54, Adiabene Emperor, Assyrian emperor Nerses (Izates II), convert, son of Edessa Queen
Persia, Adiabene Emperor, 31-55, Assyrian emperor Nerses (Izates II); II (ca. 1-54 CE) was king of the Parthian client kingdom of Adiabene from approximately 30 to 54.[1] is notable for converting to Judaism. He was the son of Queen Helena of Adiabene and Monobaz I of Adiabene. Queen Helena was also said to be the wife of King Abgarus of Edessa and thus the queen of Edessa too.[2] his youth Izates was sent by his father to the court of King Abinergaos I of Characene in Charax Spasinu. in Charax Izates became acquainted with a Jewish merchant named Ananias, who familiarized him with the tenets of the Jewish religion, in which he became deeply interested. married King Abinergaos' daughter Symacho who had been converted to Judaism through the efforts of Ananias. His mother had been previously won over to Judaism without his knowledge. On returning home and ascending the throne on the death of his father (c. 31 CE), Izates discovered the conversion of his mother; and he himself intended to adopt Judaism, and even to submit to circumcision. was, however, dissuaded from this step both by his teacher Ananias and by his mother, but was ultimately persuaded thereto by another Jew, Eleazar.[3][4] some time Izates enjoyed peace; and he was so highly respected that he was chosen as arbitrator between the Parthian king Artabanus II and his rebellious nobles (c. 39 CE). when several of Izates' relatives openly acknowledged their conversion to Judaism, some of the nobles of Adiabene secretly induced Abia, an Arab king, to declare war against him. defeated his enemy, who in despair committed suicide. The nobles then conspired with Vologases, King of Parthia, but the latter was at the last moment prevented from carrying out his plans, and Izates continued to reign undisturbed for a total of twenty-four years. died around 54 CE. His mother Helena survived him for only a short time. He left twenty-four sons and twenty-four daughters. Izates was succeeded by his older brother Monobaz II, who sent Izates' remains and those of Queen Helena to Jerusalem for burial. Apostle Thaddeus of the Seventy, Commemorated on August 21 ;

Persia, 31-44, Apostle Thaddeus of the seventy, from Edessa, Abgar wrote of him to Nerses
Persia, 31-55, Adiabene Emperor, Assyrian emperor Nerses (Izates II) ; Apostle Thaddeus of the Seventy, Commemorated on August 21 ; Thaddeus, Apostle of the Seventy, was by descent a Hebrew, and he was born in the Syrian city of Edessa. The holy Apostle Thaddeus of the Seventy must be distinguished from Saint Jude, also called Thaddeus or Levi (June 19), who was one of the Twelve Apostles. he came to Jerusalem for a feastday, he heard the preaching of John the Forerunner. After being baptized by him in the Jordan, he remained in Palestine. He saw the Savior, and became His follower. He was chosen by the Lord to be one of the Seventy Disciples, whom He sent by twos to preach in the cities and places where He intended to visit (Luke. 10: 1). the Ascension of the Savior to Heaven, Saint Thaddeus preached the good news in Syria and Mesopotamia. He came preaching the Gospel to Edessa and he converted King Abgar, the people and the pagan priests to Christ. He backed up his preaching with many miracles (about which Abgar wrote to the Assyrian emperor Nerses). He established priests there and built up the Edessa Church. Abgar wanted to reward Saint Thaddeus with rich gifts, but he refused and went preaching to other cities, converting many pagans to the Christian Faith. He went to the city of Beirut to preach, and he founded a church there. It was in this city that he peacefully died in the year 44. (The place of his death is indicated as Beirut in the Slavonic MENAION, but according to other sources he died in Edessa. According to an ancient Armenian tradition, Saint Thaddeus, after various tortures, was beheaded by the sword on December 21 in the Artaz region in the year 50).

Persia, 35, Parthia, Apostle Thomas, founded Christian churches in Parthia
Persia, 1st Century, Parthia, Apostle Thomas; Holy, Glorious Apostle Thomas, Commemorated on October 6; to Church Tradition, the holy Apostle Thomas founded Christian churches in Palestine, Mesopotamia, Parthia, Ethiopia and India. Holy and Glorious Apostle Thomas was born in the Galilean city of Pansada and was a fisherman. Hearing the good tidings of Jesus Christ, he left all and followed after Him. The Apostle Thomas is included in the number of the holy Twelve Apostles of the Savior. According to Holy Scripture, the holy Apostle Thomas did not believe the reports of the other disciples about the Resurrection of Jesus Christ: “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into His side, I will not believe” (John 20:25). On the eighth day after the Resurrection, the Lord appeared to the Apostle Thomas and showed him His wounds. “My Lord and my God,” the Apostle cried out (John 20:28). “Thomas, being once weaker in faith than the other apostles,” says Saint John Chrysostom, “toiled through the grace of God more bravely, more zealously and tirelessly than them all, so that he went preaching over nearly all the earth, not fearing to proclaim the Word of God to savage nations.” Some icons depicting this event are inscribed “The Doubting Thomas.” This is incorrect. In Greek, the inscription reads, “The Touching of Thomas.” In Slavonic, it says, “The Belief of Thomas.” When Saint Thomas touched the Life-giving side of the Lord, he no longer had any doubts. to Church Tradition, the holy Apostle Thomas founded Christian churches in Palestine, Mesopotamia, Parthia, Ethiopia and India. the Gospel earned him a martyr’s death. For having converted the wife and son of the prefect of the Indian city of Meliapur [Melipur], the holy apostle was locked up in prison, suffered torture, and finally, pierced with five spears, he departed to the Lord. Part of the relics of the holy Apostle Thomas are in India, in Hungary and on Mt. Athos. The name of the Apostle Thomas is associated with the Arabian (or Arapet) Icon of the Mother of God (September 6).

Persia, 35, Parthia, Apostle Philip, went to Azotus (Ashdod), then in Parthia on Med
Persia, 1st Century, Parthia, Apostle Philip; Holy, All-Praised Apostle Philip, Commemorated on November 14; From Greece the Apostle Philip went to Parthia, and then to the city of Azotus, where he healed an eye affliction of the daughter of a local resident named Nikoklides, who had received him into his home, and then baptized his whole family. Holy and All-praised Apostle Philip was a native of the city of Bethsaida in Galilee. He had a profound depth of knowledge of the Holy Scripture, and rightly discerning the meaning of the Old Testament prophecies, he awaited the coming of the Messiah. Through the call of the Savior (John 1:43), Philip followed Him. The Apostle Philip is spoken about several times in the Holy Gospel: he brought to Christ the Apostle Nathaniel (i.e. Bartholomew, April 22, June 30, and August 25. See John. 1:46). The Lord asks him where to buy bread for five thousand men (John. 6: 5-7). He brought certain of the Hellenized Jews wanting to see Jesus (John. 12:21-22); and finally, at the Last Supper he asked Christ to show them the Father (John. 14:8). the Ascension of the Lord, the Apostle Philip preached the Word of God in Galilee, accompanying his preaching with miracles. Thus, he restored to life a dead infant in the arms of its mother. From Galilee he went to Greece, and preached among the Jews that had settled there. Some of them reported the preaching of the Apostle to Jerusalem. In response, some scribes arrived in Greece from Jerusalem, with one of the Jewish chief priests at their head, to interrogate the Apostle Philip. Apostle Philip exposed the lie of the chief priest, who said that the disciples of Christ had stolen away and hidden the body of Christ. Philip told instead how the Pharisees had bribed the soldiers on watch, to deliberately spread this rumor. When the Jewish chief priest and his companions began to insult the Lord and lunged at the Apostle Philip, they suddenly were struck blind. By his prayer the Apostle restored everyone’s sight. Seeing this miracle, many believed in Christ. The Apostle Philip provided a bishop for them, by the name of Narcissus (one of the Seventy Apostles, January 4). From Greece the Apostle Philip went to Parthia, and then to the city of Azotus, where he healed an eye affliction of the daughter of a local resident named Nikoklides, who had received him into his home, and then baptized his whole family. Azotus the Apostle Philip set out to Syrian Hieropolis (there were several cities of this name) where, stirred up by the Pharisees, the Jews burned the house of Heros, who had taken in the Apostle Philip, and they wanted to kill the apostle. The apostle performed several miracles: the healing of the hand of the city official Aristarchus, withered when he attempted to strike the apostle; and restoring a dead child to life. When they saw these marvels, they repented and many accepted holy Baptism. After making Heros the bishop at Hieropolis, the Apostle Philip went on to Syria, Asia Minor, Lydia, Emessa, and everywhere preaching the Gospel and undergoing sufferings. Both he and his sister Mariamne (February 17) were pelted with stones, locked up in prison, and thrown out of villages. the Apostle Philip arrived in the city of Phrygian Hieropolis, where there were many pagan temples. There was also a pagan temple where people worshiped an enormous serpent as a god. The Apostle Philip by the power of prayer killed the serpent and healed many bitten by snakes. those healed was the wife of the city prefect, Amphipatos. Having learned that his wife had accepted Christianity, the prefect Amphipatos gave orders to arrest Saint Philip, his sister, and the Apostle Bartholomew traveling with them. At the urging of the pagan priests of the temple of the serpent, Amphipatos ordered the holy Apostles Philip and Bartholomew to be crucified. an earthquake struck, and it knocked down all those present at the place of judgment. Hanging upon the cross by the pagan temple of the serpent, the Apostle Philip prayed for those who had crucified him, asking God to save them from the ravages of the earthquake. Seeing this happen, the people believed in Christ and began to demand that the apostles be taken down from the crosses. The Apostle Bartholomew was still alive when he was taken down, and he baptized all those believing and established a bishop for them. the Apostle Philip, through whose prayers everyone remained alive, except for Amphipatos and the pagan priests, died on the cross. his sister buried his body, and went with the Apostle Bartholomew to preach in Armenia, where the Apostle Bartholomew was crucified (June 11); Mariamne herself then preached until her own death at Lykaonia. holy Apostle Philip is not to be confused with Saint Philip the Deacon (October 11), one of the Seventy.

Persia, 35, Parthia, Apostles SIMON and JUDE, went together to Persia (Parthia), martyred there
Persia, 1st Century, Parthia, Apostles SIMON and JUDE; ancient Christian writers say that Simon and Jude went together as missionaries to Persia, and were martyred there. If this is true, it explains, to some extent, our lack of historical information on them and also why they are usually put together. SIMON AND JUDE, APOSTLES (OCT 28);

Persia, 40-51, Emperor Gotarzes II of Parthia, seized throne from b Vardanes I
Persia, 40-51, Emperor Gotarzes II of Parthia ; II was king of the Parthian Empire from 40 to 51. He was an adopted son of Artabanus II. When his father died in 40, his brother Vardanes I was to succeed to the throne. However, the throne was seized by Gotarzes II. Gotarzes II eventually was able to gain control of most of Parthia forcing Vardanes to flee to Bactria. With the death of Vardanes in c. 46, Gotarzes II ruled the Parthian Empire until his death. Gotarzes II was succeeded by his uncle Vonones II. Persian Parthian Empire, 247BC-224AD, Ctesiphon, Zoroastrian; St Sidonia of Georgia, Commemorated on October 1; SIMON AND JUDE, APOSTLES (OCT 28); Apostle Jude the Brother of the Lord, Commemorated on June 19;

Persia, 51-78, Emperor Vologases I, Parthia, for long trade route to the Med from India and China, b Tridates, Armenia in 53
Persia, 51-78, Emperor Vologases I of Parthia ; I was the King of Kings of the Parthian Empire from 51 to 78. He was the son and successor of Vonones II (r. 51). He was succeeded by his younger son Pacorus II, who continued his policies. was a son of Vonones II, a Parthian prince who ruled the northern Iranian kingdom of Media Atropatene, and possibly subsequently the whole Parthian Empire for a few months.[2] Vologases' mother was a Greek concubine of the Parthian harem.[3] The name of the Arsacid branch established by Vologases I has been coined by the modern historian Marek Jan Olbrycht as the "Vologasids" or the "House of Vologases I", which ruled the Parthian Empire from 51 till its fall in 224.[4] of Armenia[edit] of Parthian–Roman borders became the new Parthian king in 51.[2] He sought to continue the policies of the prominent former Parthian king Artabanus II (r. 12-38/41), thus, one of his first objectives was to strengthen and bolster the Parthian position in strategically and politically unstable regions which had served for decades as the source of war with the Romans.[5][6] gave the kingship of Media Atropatene to his elder brother Pacorus, while the even more politically important kingship of Armenia was given to Vologases' younger brother Tiridates after a Parthian invasion of the country in 53.[7] felt his invasion was justified due to the recent usurpation of the Armenian throne by the Iberian prince Rhadamistus, which he saw as a violation of the former settlement made between the Parthians and Romans regarding Armenia.[2] of resources and a winter epidemic forced Vologases to withdraw his troops from Armenia, allowing Rhadamistus to come back and punish locals as traitors; they shortly revolted and helped Tiridates restore his authority.[8] himself returned to Iberia and was soon put to death by his father Pharasmanes I for having plotted against the royal power in order to prove his loyalty to Rome.[9] with the Romans[edit] Further information: Roman–Parthian War of 58–63 during the first two years of the war: Corbulo's invasion and conquest of Armenia with the Parthian reconquest of Armenia, in 54 the newly ascended Roman emperor Nero sent his general, Corbulo to restore Roman authority in the country.[10] was unable to aid his brother, due to the rebellion of his son Vardanes II and subsequently a revolt in the eastern Parthian province of Hyrcania.[11] by Vologases, Tiridates sent flying columns to raid the Romans far and wide in 58.[10][12] responded by using the same tactics.[10] He also emboldened the Roman client-kings Antiochus IV of Commagene, Pharasmanes I, and the Moschi tribes to attack outlying areas of Armenia.[10] loyalty of the Armenian population was split up between the Parthians and Romans, although overall they preferred Parthian rule, due to it being more tolerant, and also due to the similarity between Parthian and Armenian culture.[10] conquered the Armenian capital of Artaxata, which he had destroyed.[13][14] The following year (59) he conquered Tigranocerta in southern Armenia, where he wintered.[15] took advantage of this situation to return to northern Armenia from Atropatene. However, by the spring of 60, he was forced to withdraw by the Roman forces once more.[15] during the final years of the war: the raids of Tigranes into Parthian territory provoked a Parthian counterattack, which culminated in the surrender of the Roman army of Pateus Nero appointed a Cappadocian prince named Tigranes on the Armenian throne.[15] The new ruler, protected by a strong Roman force, became bold and started in 61 attacking the border areas of Adiabene, a vassal kingdom of the Parthians.[15][16] Adiabenian king, Monobazos, including Tiridates, protested in front of the entire Parthian court, complaining that Vologases did not do enough to protect his subjects.[17] situation was important and endangered the relations between Vologases and his subjects.[17] a public feast, Vologases supported Tiridates' appeals, and placed the royal diadem on his head.[13] He also appointed a certain nobleman named Monaeses as the commander of a Parthian force that included contingents from Adiabene.[18] Monaeses was sent into Armenia, where he besieged Tigranocerta in 62.[15][16] The city was strongly fortified, and had been further reinforced by two legions. The Parthians attempts to scale the city proved fruitless, with the Adiabenian contingents suffering heavy losses.[15] this point, Corbulo sent an envoy to Vologases, who had encamped with his court at Nisibis, near Tigranocerta and the Roman–Parthian border. The failed siege and a shortage of fodder for his cavalry forced Vologases to agree to withdraw Monaeses from Armenia.[19] the same time, however, the Romans also left Armenia, which, according to the contemporary Roman historian Tacitus, raised suspicions as to Corbulo's motives: some whispered that he had reached an agreement of mutual withdrawal with the Parthians, and that he was unwilling to risk his reputation by renewing hostilities against them.[20] At any rate, a truce was arranged and a Parthian embassy was dispatched to Rome. The negotiations failed to reach an agreement, and war was resumed in the spring of 62.[21] Roman government then sent Lucius Caesennius Paetus, governor of Cappadocia, to settle the question by bringing Armenia under direct Roman administration.[22][23] Paetus was an incapable commander and suffered a humiliating defeat at the Battle of Rhandeia in 62, losing the legions of XII Fulminata commanded by Calvisius Sabinus and IIII Scythica commanded by Lucius Funisulanus Vettonianus. The command of the troops was returned to Corbulo, who, the following year, led a strong army into Melitene and beyond into Armenia, eliminating all of the regional governors he suspected were pro-Parthian. Finally in Rhandeia, Corbulo and Tiridates I met to make a peace agreement. The location of Rhandeia suited both Tiridates I and Corbulo. It appealed to Tiridates I because that is where his army had beaten the Romans and sent them away under a capitulation; on the other hand, it appealed to Corbulo because he was about to wipe out the ill repute earned before in the same location. When Tiridates I arrived at the Roman camp he took off his royal diadem and placed it on the ground near a statue of Nero, agreeing to receive it back only from Nero in Rome.[24] Tiridates I was recognized as the vassal king of Armenia; a Roman garrison would remain in the country permanently, in Sophene while Artaxata would be reconstructed. Corbulo left his son-in-law Lucius Annius Vinicianus to accompany Tiridates I to Rome in order to attest his own fidelity to Nero.[22] Tiridates' visit in Rome, Nero summoned Vologases I to Rome several times, but when the invitations became burdensome to Vologases I, he sent back a dispatch to this effect: "It is far easier for you than for me to traverse so great a body of water. Therefore, if you will come to Asia, we can then arrange to meet each other."[25] life and death[edit] Vologases I was still satisfied with this result and honored the memory of Nero,[26] though he stood in good relations with Vespasian also, to whom he offered an army of 40,000 horse archers during the Jewish Revolt.[27] Soon afterwards the Alans, a great nomadic tribe beyond the Caucasus, invaded Atropatene and Armenia; Vologases I applied in vain for help to Vespasian, but did not achieve any decisive result.[28] The Alans quickly withdrew with a lot of booty after plundering Armenia and Media Atropatene.[29] Vologases I later died in 78, and was succeeded by his son Pacorus II. sought to accomplish the goal of Artabanus II, by attempting to establish a long and structured trade-route that spanned through East Asia, India and the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.[33] This planned long trade-route would greatly improve the economy of the Parthian Empire.[33] In order to accomplish this, Vologases strengthened relations with other powers whom he was able to establish long-distance trade with, most notably Han China.[34] Vologases sought to impose his authority over the trade revenue of Seleucia, and was unrelenting against the Greek elites who questioned his rule.[35] Vologases founded the town of Valashabad in the neighborhood of Ctesiphon and Seleucia, with the intention of breaking the Greek monopoly on trade.[36] is an important figure in Zoroastrianism. According to the 10th-century Middle Persian Zoroastrian document Denkard ("Acts of Religion"), Vologases ordered his subjects to safeguard variants of the Avestan books and schooling, which had been scattered due to raids and plundering by the Macedonian king Alexander the Great (r. 336–323 BC) in the 4th-century BC.[30] Persian Parthian Empire, 247BC-224AD, Ctesiphon, Zoroastrian; St Sidonia of Georgia, Commemorated on October 1; SIMON AND JUDE, APOSTLES (OCT 28); Apostle Jude the Brother of the Lord, Commemorated on June 19;

Persia, 55-116, Adiabene Emperor, Meharaspes, defeated by Trajan in 116, creating Roman Messopotamia
Persia, Adiabene Emperor, -116, Meharaspes; was the Parthian client king of Adiabene in the early 2nd century CE. He was defeated by Trajan in 116; Adiabene was incorporated into the short-lived Roman province of Mesopotamia. Martyr Hermione the Daughter of St Philip the Deacon, Commemorated on September 4;

Persia, 70, Parthia, Apostle Jude, later in Syria (Parthia, Persia at that time) , finally in Edessa
Persia, 70, 1st Century, Parthia, Apostle Jude; the Ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ, Saint Jude traveled about preaching the Gospel. He propagated the faith in Christ at first in Judea, Galilee, Samaria and Idumaia, and later in the lands of Arabia, Syria and Mesopotamia. Finally, he went to the city of Edessa. Here he finished the work that was not completed by his predecessor, Saint Thaddeus, Apostle of the Seventy (August 21). There is a tradition that Saint Jude went to Persia, where he wrote his catholic Epistle in Greek. In the Epistle much profound truth was expressed in a few words. Holy Apostle Jude, one of the twelve apostles of Christ, is descended from King David and Solomon, and was the son of Righteous Joseph the Betrothed (Sunday after the Nativity of the Lord) by his first wife. Holy Apostle John the Theologian writes in his Gospel, neither did his brethren believe in Him (John. 7:5). Saint Theophylact, Archbishop of Bulgaria, explains this passage. He says that at the beginning of the Lord Jesus Christ'™s earthly ministry, Joseph'™s sons, Jude among them, did not believe in His divine nature. Tradition says that when Saint Joseph returned from Egypt, he began to divide his possessions among his sons. He wanted to allot a share to Christ the Savior, born miraculously and incorruptibly from the All-Pure Virgin Mary. The brothers were opposed to this because Jesus was born of another mother. Only James, later called œThe Brother of God, offered to share his portion with Him. came to believe in Christ the Savior as the awaited Messiah, and he followed Him and was chosen as one of the twelve Apostles. Mindful of his sin, the Apostle Jude considered himself unworthy to be called the Lord'™s brother, and in his Epistle he calls himself merely the brother of James. Holy Apostle Jude also had other names: the Evangelist Matthew terms him œLebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddeus (Mt. 10:3). The Holy Evangelist Mark also calls him Thaddeus (Mark 3:18), and in the Acts of the Holy Apostles he is called Barsabas (Acts 15: 22). This was customary at that time. the Ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ, Saint Jude traveled about preaching the Gospel. He propagated the faith in Christ at first in Judea, Galilee, Samaria and Idumaia, and later in the lands of Arabia, Syria and Mesopotamia. Finally, he went to the city of Edessa. Here he finished the work that was not completed by his predecessor, Saint Thaddeus, Apostle of the Seventy (August 21). There is a tradition that Saint Jude went to Persia, where he wrote his catholic Epistle in Greek. In the Epistle much profound truth was expressed in a few words. Jude'™s Epistle speaks about the Holy Trinity, about the Incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ, about the good and bad angels, and about the dread Last Judgment. The Apostle urges believers to guard themselves against fleshly impurity, to be diligent in prayer, faith and love, to convert the lost to the path of salvation, and to guard themselves from the teachings of heretics. He also says that it is not enough just to be converted to Christianity, but faith must be demonstrated by good works. He cites the rebellious angels and men punished by God (verse 6) to support this. Holy Apostle Jude died as a martyr around the year 80 near Mt. Ararat in Armenia, where he was crucified and pierced by arrows. Apostle Jude the Brother of the Lord, Commemorated on June 19;

Persia, 79-81, Emperor, Artabanus III of Parthia, gave refuge to a Pseudo-Nero (imposter) named Terentius Maximus
Persia, 10-40, Emperor, Jesus' Time, Artabanus III of Parthia ; III, incorrectly known in older scholarship as Artabanus IV,[1] was a Parthian prince who competed against his brother Pacorus II (r. 78-110) for the Parthian crown from 79/80 to 81.[1] III's claim to the throne seems to have little support in the Parthian Empire, with the exception of Babylonia.[1] III's most notable action was to give refuge to a Pseudo-Nero named Terentius Maximus.[2][1] Artabanus III initially agreed to lend military aid to Terentius Maximus to capture Rome, until he found about the real identity of the impostor.[2] mints of Artabanus III disappear after 81, which suggests that Pacorus II had defeated him.[1] Persian Parthian Empire, 247BC-224AD, Ctesiphon, Zoroastrian; St Sidonia of Georgia, Commemorated on October 1; SIMON AND JUDE, APOSTLES (OCT 28); THE FEAST OF THE HOLY EPIPHANY, (6 January); Apostle Jude the Brother of the Lord, Commemorated on June 19;

Persian Sasanian Emperor, 80AD,

Persia, 200-224, 3rd Century AD Folder, Parthian Empire, Anak the Parthian

Persia, 201-252, Anak the Parthian, Armenian Parthian Prince, Illuminatory Gregory's father, but killed Tridates father
Armenian Parthian Prince, 3rd Century-252, Anak the Parthian; the Parthian,[1] also known as Anak Pahlavi[2] (flourished 3rd century, died 258[3]), was a Parthian noble who lived during the time of Arsacid Armenia.[4] was an Armenian Parthian nobleman,[5] who was a prince[6] said to be related to the Arsacid dynasty of Armenia[7] or was from the House of Suren,[8][9] one of the seven branches of the ruling Arsacid dynasty[10] of Sakastan.[11] is known of the life of Anak. He married a Parthian noblewoman called Okohe, who bore him sons. Among their children was Gregory.[12] I and his son, Shapur I, incited Anak[13] to murder King Khosrov II of Armenia, promising to return his own domain as a reward.[14] Ardashir I was alarmed by the military victories that Khosrov II with his late father, Tiridates II of Armenia had won against him,[15] as he wanted to expand the Sassanid Empire and to annex Armenia. had won the trust of Khosrov II and had travelled to Vagharshapat.[16] When Anak arrived in Vagharshapat he pretended to take refuge in the Armenian dominions from the persecution of Ardashir I.[17] Anak was hospitably received in Vagharshapat by Khosrov II and then stabbed the king in the heart, also killing Khosrov's wife. Anak was furiously pursued by Armenian soldiers, until he drowned in the Aras River.[18] Armenian army and nobles were outraged by the death of the reigning King and in turn wreaked their vengeance on the family of Anak.[19][20] The only child to survive from Anak’s family was his infant son Gregory,[21] who was taken to Cappadocia by his former caretakers Sopia and Yevtagh, who had escaped the slaughter of Anak’s family. I took possession of Armenia for himself and it became a part of his empire.[22] Troops loyal to Khosrov II, had his son, Tiridates III, taken to Rome for protection[23] where Tiridates III was raised and his daughter Khosrovidkuht was taken to be raised in Caesarea Mazaca, Cappadocia.[24] The foster parents of Khosrovidukht were Awtay, a nobleman from the family of the Amatuni, and Awtay’s wife, a noblewoman whose name is unknown, who was from the family of the Slkunik.[25] Hieromartyr Gregory the Bishop of Greater Armenia, Equal of the Apostles and Enlightener of Armenia, Commemorated on September 30; Hieromartyr Gregory, Enlightener of Greater Armenia, was born in the year 257. was descended from a line of Parthian Arsakid kings. Anak, the father of Saint Gregory, was a Parthian by birth. In his quest for the Armenian throne, Anak and his brother attacked their kinsman, King Kursar with their swords, leaving him mortally wounded. The King's servants found him still alive, and he was able to tell them what had happened. Before he expired, the King ordered the execution of Anak, his brother, and also their wives and children. The murderers were caught by a river, where they were slain and their bodies were thrown into the water. of Anak's relatives saved Gregory and his brother, who were infants, and hid them in his home. There was a revolt in Armenia, and King Artasirus of Persia was able to conquer Armenia and bring it under his rule. As for Arak's sons, one was taken to Persia, and Gregory was sent to the Roman Empire. he reached adulthood, Gregory lived in Caesarea in Cappadocia, where he was converted to the Christian Faith. Gregory married, and had two sons, but soon was left a widower. Gregory raised his sons in piety. One of them, Orthanes, later became a priest, and the other, Arostanes, was tonsured as a monk and went into the wilderness to live in solitude. order to atone for the sin of his father, who had murdered the father of Tiridates, Gregory entered into the latter's service, and was a faithful servant to him. Tiridates, who was serving in the Roman army, loved Gregory like a friend, but when he learned that Gregory was a Christian, he became angry. Saint Gregory, however, ignored his master's unjust wrath. the Goths attacked the Roman Empire, the Prince of the Goths challenged the Emperor to single combat. The Emperor was afraid to fight the Prince, so he had Tiridates put on his armor and take his place. Tiridates defeated his adversary without using his sword, and led him as a captive to the Emperor. Then the entire Gothic army was defeated. In gratitude, the Emperor made Tiridates King of Armenia. When Tiridates offered sacrifice to his "gods" for his new position, he wanted Gregory to sacrifice with him. Gregory refused, and so Tiridates ordered that he be tortured. Saint was suspended head downward, with a stone about his neck, and for several days they choked him with a foul-smelling smoke, they beat and ridiculed him, and forced him to walk in iron sandals inset with nails. these torments, Saint Gregory sang Psalms. In prison the Lord healed all his wounds. When Gregory stood before the King cheerful and unharmed, he was astonished and ordered that the torments be repeated. Saint Gregory endured them, not wavering, with his former determination and bearing. They then poured hot tin over him and threw him into a pit filled with snakes, scorpions, and other poisonous creatures. The Lord, however, spared His chosen one, and he was left unharmed. pious women kept him alive for fourteen years by feeding him with bread, secretly lowering it into the pit. A holy angel appeared to the martyr, strengthening and encouraging him. During this time King Tiridates killed the holy virgin Saint Ripsimia, the Eldress Gaiane, and 32 other Virgin Martyrs (some sources say 35) from Asia Minor. Tiridates, who seemed to have lost his mind after this, recovered six days later. Then the wrath of God struck King Tiridates, his associates, and the soldiers who had participated in the execution of the virgins. Beset by demons, their appearance resembled wild boars, as once happened to Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:30). Running through forests and fields, they tore their clothes and devoured their own flesh. Gregory was taken from from the pit, and then he was washed, dressed in clean clothes, and fed. Then he was led to the King. Everyone bowed before him, begging him to ask God to heal the King as well as the others responsible for killing the Holy Virgin Martyrs. First, the Saint asked about their relics, which remained unburied for nine days. Saint Gregory buried the bodies, and then began preaching to the people, urging them to turn away from the darkness of idolatry and toward Christ. The people came to believe in Christ, and wanted to build a large church. When it was completed, Saint Gregory had the relics of the holy nuns brought into it. Then he led King Tiridates to the church before the bodies of the Saints whom he had slain, so that they might pray to Christ for him. He repented, and at once his face was restored to its original appearance once more. all of Armenia was converted to Christ. The temples of the idols were destroyed, and churches for the worship of the only true God were built. Saint Gregory ordained priests, established schools, founded monasteries, and provided for the good order of the Church. this, Saint Gregory went into the wilderness, where he ended his earthly life in a manner pleasing to the Lord. His son Aristanes was made a bishop in Cappadocia, and was one of the 318 Holy Fathers of. the Council of Nicea.

Persia, 224-651, Sasanian Empire History Folder, Zoroastrianism, Fire Worshipers

Persia, 224-299, 3rd Century Folder, Sasanian Empire, first capital Estakhr, Parthian Manichaeus, Shapur I

Persia, 224-226, Sasanian Empire First Capital Estakhr or Istakhr
Persian Sasanian Empire First Capital Estakhr, 224-226; Sasanian first Emperor, 224-242, Ardashir I; Hieromartyr Gregory the Bishop of Greater Armenia, Equal of the Apostles and Enlightener of Armenia, Commemorated on September 30;

Persia, 224-242, Ardashir I, First Sasanian Emperor
Persian Sasanian Emperor, 224-242, Ardashir I, First Sasanian Emperor; Sasanian Empire First Capital Estakhr, 224-226; Hieromartyr Gregory the Bishop of Greater Armenia, Equal of the Apostles and Enlightener of Armenia, Commemorated on September 30; Venerable Barlaam, Commemorated on November 19;

Persia, 224-242, Sedekias or Ardashir I, First Sasanian Emperor
Great Martyr Irene, Commemorated on May 5; was deposed by his son Sapor, who persecuted Christians with an even greater zeal than his father had done. Saint Irene went to her home town of Magedon in Persia to meet Sapor and his army, and ask him to end the persecution. When he refused, Saint Irene prayed and his entire army was blinded. She prayed again and they received their sight once more. In spite of this, Sapor refused to recognize the power of God. Because of his insolence, he was struck and killed by a bolt of lightning. Persian Sasanian Emperor, 224-242, Ardashir I, First Sasanian Emperor; Sasanian Empire First Capital Estakhr, 224-226; Hieromartyr Gregory the Bishop of Greater Armenia, Equal of the Apostles and Enlightener of Armenia, Commemorated on September 30; Venerable Barlaam, Commemorated on November 19;

Persia, 236-274, Manichaeus, Mani,, Parthian Prophet of Gnostic Manichaeism
Egypt, 236-274, Parthian Manichaeus, Mani, Prophet of Gnostic Manichaeism; (c. April AD 216-2 March AD 274 or 26 February AD 277), of Iranian origin,[3][4][5][6] the prophet and the founder of Manichaeism, a religion of late antiquity strongly influenced by Gnosticism which was once widespread but is no longer prevalent by name. was born in or near Seleucia-Ctesiphon in Babylonia,[1] at the time still part of the Parthian Empire. Seven of his major works were written in Syriac, and the eighth, dedicated to the Sasanian emperor Shapur I, was written in Middle Persian.[7] He died in Gundeshapur. exact meaning of the name is a question still unsolved.[8] It may have derived from Babylonian-Aramaic Mânâ [luminescence]. Mandaeans used the term, mânâ rabba meaning the "Enlightened Lord/King.".[9] Ancient Greek interpretations were skeuos and homilia,[clarification needed] same slightly contemptuous "a certain" (Manes quidam) also appears in Hegemonius' Acta Archelai (4th century), however, Hegemonius contributes a detailed description of Mani's looks. Mani’s names became the object of uplifting transformation (Greek, Coptic Mannichaios, Latin Mannichaeus, i.e., Mannam fundens "pouring out Manna".[10][11] 1969 in Upper Egypt a Greek parchment codex dating to c. AD 400 was discovered. It is now designated Codex Manichaicus Coloniensis because it is conserved at the University of Cologne. Combining a hagiographic account of Mani's career and spiritual development with information about Mani's religious teachings, and containing fragments of his writings, it is now considered the most reliable source of information about the historical Mani. other medieval and pre-medieval accounts of his life are either legendary or hagiographical, such as the account in Fihrist by Ibn al-Nadim, purportedly by al-Biruni, or were anti-Manichaean polemics, such as the 4th-century Acta Archelai. Among these medieval accounts, Ibn al-Nadim's account of Mani's life and teachings is generally speaking the most reliable and exhaustive. Notably, the (in other accounts prominent) image of the "Third Ambassador" is only represented through a brief mention of the name bašīr, "messenger of good news", and the topos of "Mani the Painter" (which in other Islamic accounts almost completely replaces that of "the founder of a religion") is completely absent.[12] Parents, a 14th/15th-century silk painting depicts Mani's parents sitting in a palatial building. of Mani's Birth, showing the newborn emerged from the chest of his mother. execution of Mani as depicted in a 14th century illustration of the Shahnameh work and other evidence discovered in the 20th century establishes Mani as a historical individual.[13] life was born near Seleucia-Ctesiphon, perhaps in the town Mardinu in the Babylonian district of Nahr Kutha; according to other accounts in the town Abrumya. Mani's father Pātik (Middle Persian Pattūg;[14] Koinē Greek: Παττικιος, Arabic: Futtuq‎), a native of Ecbatana[15] (now Hamadan, Iran), was a member of the Jewish Christian sect of the Elcesaites. His mother was of Parthian descent[16][17] (from "the Armenian Arsacid family of Kamsarakan"[18]); her name is reported variously, among others Maryam. was raised in a heterodox environment in Babylon. The Elcesaite community was ostensibly Jewish Christian, though with some Gnostic features due to their Ebionite heritage, such as the belief in recurring incarnations of heavenly apostles, one of whom was a docetic Christ. At ages 12 and 24 Mani had visionary experiences of a "heavenly twin" of his (syzygos), calling him to leave his father's sect and preach the true message of Jesus in a new gospel.[19][20] to India then travelled to India (Sakas in present day Afghanistan), where he studied Hinduism and its various extant philosophies, including Buddhism.[5] Al-Biruni says Mani only traveled to India after being banished from Persia,[21] but this might be an error or a second journey.[5] It is believed that his Christian roots might have been influenced by Marcion and Bardaisan.[22] from India in 242, Mani presented himself to Shapur I, to whom he dedicated his only work written in Persian, known as the Shabuhragan. Shapur was not converted to Manichaeism and remained Zoroastrian, but he favored Mani's teachings, which mixed Christianity, Buddhism and Zoroastrianism, and took him into his court.[5][23] Mani is said to have performed miracles, including levitation, teleporting and healing, which helped him to gain converts in the Iranian elite. He was also famed as a painter.[5] and martyrdom successor Hormizd I, who reigned only for one year, continued to patronize Mani, but his successor Bahram I, a follower of the intolerant Zoroastrian reformer Kartir, began to persecute the Manichaeans. He incarcerated Mani, who died in prison within a month, in 274.[24] According to sources, he passed his last days comforting his visiting disciples, teaching that his death would have no other consequence than the return of his soul to the realm of light.[5] followers depicted Mani's death as a crucifixion in a conscious analogy to the crucifixion of Jesus; al-Biruni says that Bahram ordered the execution of Mani. There is a story which claims that he was flayed, and his corpse suspended over the main gate of the great city of Gundeshapur;[25] however, there is no historical basis for this account.[26] It is more plausible that his body was mutilated via post-mortem decapitation, and his head put on display, which may be the original source of the embellishment.[27] canon of Mani included six works originally written in Syriac, and one in Persian, the Shapuragan. While none of his books have survived in complete form, there are numerous fragments and quotations of them, including a long Syriac quotation from one of his works, as well as a large amount of material in Middle Persian, Coptic, and numerous other languages. Examples of surviving portions of his works include: the Shabuhragan (Middle Persian), the Book of Giants (numerous fragments in many languages), the Fundamental Epistle (quoted in length by Saint Augustine), a number of fragments of his Living Gospel (or Great Gospel), a Syriac excerpt quoted by Theodore Bar Konai, and his Letter to Edessa contained in the Cologne Mani-Codex. Mani also wrote the book Arzhang, a holy book of Manichaeism unique in that it contained many drawings and paintings to express and explain the Manichaeist creation and history of the world. Main article: Manichaeism Detail of Mani's Community Established, depicting seven lay people bring offerings to shrine with statue of Mani and three elects. teaching was intended to succeed and surpass the teachings of Christianity, Zoroastrianism and Buddhism. It is based on a rigid dualism of good and evil, locked in eternal struggle. his mid-twenties, Mani decided that salvation was possible through education, self-denial, fasting and chastity. According to Al-Biruni, a 10th-century Iranian scholar, Mani claimed to be the Paraclete promised in the New Testament, and the Last Prophet.[28] However according to Lodewijk J. R. Ort, the term last prophet may "in all probability derived from the Quran by Al-Buruni in order to formulate Mani's pretensions and religious claims".[29] Therefore Lodewijk J. R. Ort concludes that a definitive pronouncement about the final character of Mani's appearance is not mentioned in Manichaeistic scriptures.[30] his religion was not strictly a movement of Christian Gnosticism in the earlier mode, Mani did declare himself to be an "apostle of Jesus Christ", and extant Manichaean poetry frequently extols Jesus and his mother, Mary, with the highest reverence. Manichaean tradition is also noted to have claimed that Mani was the reincarnation of different religious figures including Zoroaster, the historical Buddha, as well as Jesus. followers were organized in a church structure, divided into a class of "elects" (electi) and "auditors" (auditores). Only the electi are required to follow the laws strictly, while the auditores care for them, hoping to become electi in their turn after reincarnation. and Islamic tradition Late Antique Christian accounts in the West section possibly contains original research. Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding inline citations. Statements consisting only of original research should be removed. (January 2019) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) Western Christian tradition of Mani is based on Socrates of Constantinople, a historian writing in the 5th century. According to this account, one Scythianos, a Saracen, husband of an Egyptian woman, "introduced the doctrine of Empedocles and Pythagoras into Christianity"; that he had a disciple, "Buddas, formerly named Terebinthus," who travelled in Persia, where he alleged that he had been born of a virgin, and afterwards wrote four books, one of Mysteries, a second The Gospel, a third The Treasure, and a fourth Heads. While performing some mystic rites, he was hurled down a precipice by a daimon, and killed. A woman at whose house he lodged buried him, took over his property, and bought a boy of seven, named Cubricus. This boy she freed and educated, leaving him the property and books of Buddas-Terebinthus. Cubricus then travelled into Persia, where he took the name of Manes and gave forth the doctrines of Buddas Terebinthus as his own. The king of Persia, hearing that he worked miracles, sent for him to heal his sick son, and on the child's dying put Manes in prison. Thence he escaped, flying into Mesopotamia, but was traced, captured, and flayed alive by the Persian king's orders, the skin being then stuffed with chaff and hung up before the gate of the city. to Jerome, Archelaus wrote his account of his disputation with "Manichæus" in Syriac, whence it was translated into Greek. The Greek is lost, and the work, apart from extracts, subsists only in a Latin translation from the Greek, of doubtful age and fidelity, probably made after the 5th century. By Photius it is stated that Heraclean, bishop of Chalcedon, in his book against the Manichæans, said the Disputation of Archelaus was written by one Hegemonius, an author not otherwise traceable, and of unknown date. the Latin narrative, "Manes" is said to have come, after his flight from court, from Arabion, a frontier fortress, to Caschar or Carchar, a town said to be in Roman Mesopotamia, in the hope of converting an eminent Christian there, named Marcellus, to whom he had sent a letter beginning: "Manichæus apostle of Jesus Christ, and all the saints and virgins with me, send peace to Marcellus." In his train he brought twenty-two (or twelve) youths and virgins. At the request of Marcellus, he debated on religion with bishop Archelaus, by whom he was vanquished; whereupon he set out to return to Persia. On his way he proposed to debate with a priest at the town of Diodorides; but Archelaus came to take the priest's place, and again defeated him; whereupon, fearing to be given up to the Persians by the Christians, he returned to Arabion. this stage Archelaus introduces in a discourse to the people his history of "this Manes," very much to the effect of the recapitulation in Socrates. Among the further details are these: that Scythianus lived "in the time of the Apostles"; that Terebinthus said the name of Buddas had been imposed on him; that in the mountains he had been brought up by an angel; that he had been convicted of imposture by a Persian prophet named Parcus, and by Labdacus, son of Mithra; that in the disputation he taught concerning the sphere, the two luminaries, the transmigration of souls, and the war of the Principia against God; that "Corbicius" or Corbicus, about the age of sixty, translated the books of Terebinthus; that he made three chief disciples, Thomas, Addas, and Hermas, of whom he sent the first to Egypt, and the second to Scythia, keeping the third with him; that the two former returned when he was in prison, and that he sent them to procure for him the books of the Christians, which he then studied. According to the Latin narrative, finally, Manes on his return to Arabion was seized and taken to the Persian king, by whose orders he was flayed, his body being left to the birds, and his skin, filled with air, hung at the city gate.[31] Islamic accounts Painter Mani presenting king Bukhram-Gur (Bahram) with his drawing. 16th-century painting by Ali-Shir Nava'i, Shakrukhia (Tashkent). is described as a painter who set up a sectarian movement in opposition to Zoroastrianism. He was persecuted by Shapur I and fled to Central Asia, where he made disciples and embellished with paintings a Tchighil (or picturarum domus Chinensis) and another temple called Ghalbita. Provisioning in advance a cave which had a spring, he told his disciples he was going to heaven, and would not return for a year, after which time they were to seek him in the cave in question. They then came back there after a year and found him, whereupon he showed them an illustrated book, called Ergenk, or Estenk Arzhang, which he said he had brought from heaven: whereafter he had many followers, with whom he returned to Persia at the death of Shapur. The new king, Hormisdas, joined and protected the sect; and built Mani a castle. The next king, Bahram or Varanes, at first favoured Mani; but, after getting him to debate with certain Zoroastrian teachers, caused him to be flayed alive, and the skin to be stuffed and hung up. Thereupon most of his followers fled to India and China.[31] Venerable Patermuthius the Ascetic of Egypt, Commemorated on July 9;

Persia, 240-270, Shapur I, Sasanian Emperor, refused power of God, k by Lightning
Great Martyr Irene, Commemorated on May 5; was deposed by his son Sapor, who persecuted Christians with an even greater zeal than his father had done. Saint Irene went to her home town of Magedon in Persia to meet Sapor and his army, and ask him to end the persecution. When he refused, Saint Irene prayed and his entire army was blinded. She prayed again and they received their sight once more. In spite of this, Sapor refused to recognize the power of God. Because of his insolence, he was struck and killed by a bolt of lightning. Persian Sasanian Emperor, 240-270, Shapur I; Hieromartyr Polychronius the Bishop of Babylon, Commemorated July 30 ; Hieromartyr Sadoc (Sadoth) the Bishop of Persia, Commemorated on October 19; GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR, APOSTLE TO ARMENIA (23 March 332); Martyr Simeon of Persia, Commemorated on May 18; Martyr Marinus and his wife and children and those with them at Rome, Commemorated on July 6;

Persia, 240-270, Martyrs Dadas, Gabdelas, and Kazdoa of Ctesiphon, Persia, Saphor's steward & children, great story of miracles
Persia, 240-270, Martyrs Dadas, Gabdelas, and Kazdoa of Ctesiphon, Persia (Tigris River 7, Near Bagdad) Sassanian Capitol, Saphor's steward & children, Cross sign put out fire, G believed, tortured, preserved, angel, sorcerer martyred, arrows bounced back from cross, K saved, Oil & water from cloud; Ctesiphon; Martyrs Dadas, Gabdelas, and Kazdoa of Persia, Commemorated on September 29; Martyrs Dadas, Gabdelas and Kazdoa (Kasdoe) accepted death for Christ under the Persian emperor Sapor. was chief steward under Sapor, and Saints Gabdelas and Kazdoa were the cruel emperor’s own children. knowing that Saint Dadas was a Christian, the emperor appointed him as governor of one of the Persian districts. it was discovered, he was stripped of all honors, sent to the court of the cruel torturer Andromelik and was condemned to be burned. the stake, Saint Dadas shielded himself with the Sign of the Cross, and the fire went out. this miracle, the emperor’s stunned son Gabdelas believed in Christ and in the hearing of all, confessed his faith. judge reported this to the emperor, and he commanded Saint Gabdelas to be fiercely tortured. in all the sufferings divine strength preserved the saint. angel of the Lord comforted him, and each time the Lord restored health and strength to him. the miraculous healing of the holy martyr, many prisoners in the prison with him became Christians, even the sorcerer Gargal, and thus accepted martyrdom. emperor’s daughter Kazdoa, sister of the Martyr Gabdelas, secretly visited him in prison and brought him water. time Kazdoa saw her brother when the torturers tortured him anew. The holy martyr was hung on a cross, and a volley of arrows shot at him, but the arrows bounced off and struck the archers. his sister, he prevailed upon her to believe in Christ. Saint Kazdoa confessed herself a Christian, and by the command of her father the emperor Sapor, she was cruelly beaten and thrown into prison where her brother languished. from her wounds, Saint Kazdoa asked her brother to pray for her. Saint Gabdelas, having said the prayer, assured his sister that she would suffer no more. the following day during new tortures Saint Gabdelas, saw two presbyters Dadias and Abdi, asked them to bring oil and water, since he deeply wanted to receive holy Baptism. this moment a cloud overshadowed the martyr, from which poured out water and oil, and a voice was heard: “Servant of God, you have already received Baptism.” face of the martyr became radiant, in the air was the fragrance of perfume. torturer commanded the saint to be pierced with spears, and after several hours he died with prayer on his lips. body was cut into three parts, but the priests Dadias, Abdi and the deacon Armazates took the holy relics and buried them reverently. body of the holy Martyr Dadas, whom they also tortured for a long time and cut in parts, was also secretly buried by Christians. midnight the Martyr Gabdelas appeared to the priest Dadias, gave him a vessel with oil and sent him to the martyr Kazdoa to anoint her with oil and give her the Holy Mysteries. priest did this and, at the very last, said to the holy martyr: “Sleep, sister, until the coming of the Lord,” and Saint Kazdoa departed to the Lord. The mother of the holy martyr prepared her for burial and with joy buried her with the Martyr Gabdelas.

Persia, 240-270, Bishop Akepsimas, Presbyter Joseph, Deacon Aeithalas, windstorm, lightning k guard, healing tree
Persia, 240-270, Bishop Akepsimas, Presbyter Joseph, Deacon Aeithalas, Church leaders iNaesson, ascetic, Saphor orderd Clergy killed, 80yr old A arested, tArabela, tPagan Priest Judge, 3 arrested, windstorm, lightning k guard, bodies disappeared, A tPatrias, stoned, healing tree over grave; Arbela in Assyria; Martyr Akepsimas the Bishop of Persia, Commemorated on November 3 ; Akepsimas the Bishop, Joseph the Presbyter and Aeithalás the Deacon of Persia were leaders of the Christian Church in the Persian city of Naesson. His flock devotedly loved their hierarch for his ascetic life and tireless pastoral work. emperor Sapor ordered his men to seek out and kill Christian clergy. Akepsimas also was arrested, even though he was already an eighty-year-old man. took him to the city of Arbela, where he came before the judge Ardarkh, a pagan priest of the sun god. holy Elder refused to offer sacrifice to the Persian gods. For this he was fiercely beaten and thrown into prison, on the following day the seventy-year-old priest Joseph and the deacon Aeithalás were severely beaten and thrown into jail with him. three years the saints were held in confinement, and suffered from hunger and thirst. Sapor came to the temple of the god of fire, located not far from Arbela, wanted to take a look at the three holy martyrs. and covered with festering wounds, the saints were brought before the emperor. When he asked them to worship the pagan gods they firmly refused, confessing their faith in Christ instead. holy bishop was beheaded, but the presbyter and deacon were taken into the city to be stoned. execution of the presbyter Joseph was prolonged for several hours. guard was placed near the place of execution, so that Christians would not take the body of the holy martyr. the fourth night a strong windstorm raged near the city, killed the guard, the wind tossed stones about, the body of Saint Joseph disappeared. Aeithalás was taken to the village of Patrias, where he was stoned. secretly buried his body. tree grew on the saint’s grave, and its fruit brought healings.

Persia, 240-270, Snandulia, tended to Bishop Akepsimas, Presbyter Joseph, Deacon Aeithalas
Persia, 240-270, SNandulia, tended to Bishop Akepsimas, Presbyter Joseph, Deacon Aeithalas; Saint Snandulia of Persia, Commemorated on November 3; Snandulia of Persia is mentioned in the account of the martyrdom of Saints Joseph the priest and Aethalas the deacon. The historian Sozomen also describes their sufferings in his Church History (Book 2, ch. 13). was a devout Christian of the city of Arbela who visited those who suffered in prison for the sake of Christ. When she learned that Saints Joseph and Aethalas were in the prison, she went with her servants by night and bribed the guards with gold. They allowed her to take the saints to her home until daybreak. They were barely alive and unable to speak. She took them home and put them to bed, tending their wounds, and kissing their shattered hands and feet. Joseph recovered consciousness and saw Snandulia weeping. He told her that the compassion she had shown for him and for Aethalas was pleasing to God, but he thought that her bitter lamentations were contrary to Christian hope. replied, “When one is moved by compassion, it is natural to weep.” “Nevertheless,” Saint Joseph said, “you should not weep for us, for tortures borne for the sake of Christ are followed by eternal joy.” two saints were returned to prison the next morning, as promised. After six months their wounds had healed to some extent. They could stand and walk a little, but Aethalas’s hands hung at his side limp and useless. was appointed as a judge, and he entered the city offering sacrifice to the gods in the various temples. Some of the priests told him about Saints Joseph and Aethalas, who had been tortured on the orders of Prince Ardasabor, the head of all the Magi of Persia. They explained to Zerothus that their execution was being delayed until they recovered from their wounds. he heard this, Zerothus ordered that the martyrs be brought before him. He used flattery and then threats in an attempt to persuade them to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods. When this proved unsuccessful, the judge had them beaten for a long time. they were brought before the judge again, Zerothus tried to get the saints to eat food which had been offered to the idols, but they refused. Then the judge had them beaten again, and ordered other Christians to stone them. Soldiers went to the homes of the Christians to force them to come to the judgment hall. They dug a hole and placed Saint Joseph in it, then put stones in the hands of the Christians and compelled them to stone him. Snandulia was among these Christians, but she refused to throw stones at the aged priest. Then they gave her a lance and told her to kill Saint Joseph. She said that she would rather drive the lance into her own heart than to wound the saint with it. Joseph was eventually killed by all the stones that were thrown at him, and the holy deacon Aethalas was also stoned in the same way. Snandulia stretched forth her arms to needful works and opened her hands to the needy (Proverbs 31:19-20), but she refused to lift her hands to do evil against Saint Joseph. Persia, 240-270, Akepsimas the Bishop, Joseph the Presbyter and Aeithalas the Deacon, Arbela, Persia ; Arbela in Assyria; Martyr Akepsimas the Bishop of Persia, Commemorated on November 3 ; Akepsimas the Bishop, Joseph the Presbyter and Aeithalás the Deacon of Persia were leaders of the Christian Church in the Persian city of Naesson. His flock devotedly loved their hierarch for his ascetic life and tireless pastoral work. emperor Sapor ordered his men to seek out and kill Christian clergy. Saint Akepsimas also was arrested, even though he was already an eighty-year-old man. They took him to the city of Arbela, where he came before the judge Ardarkh, a pagan priest of the sun god. The holy Elder refused to offer sacrifice to the Persian gods. For this he was fiercely beaten and thrown into prison, where on the following day the seventy-year-old priest Joseph and the deacon Aeithalás were severely beaten and thrown into jail with him. For three years the saints were held in confinement, and suffered from hunger and thirst. Sapor came to the temple of the god of fire, located not far from Arbela, and wanted to take a look at the three holy martyrs. Exhausted and covered with festering wounds, the saints were brought before the emperor. When he asked them to worship the pagan gods they firmly refused, confessing their faith in Christ instead. holy bishop was beheaded, but the presbyter and deacon were taken into the city to be stoned. execution of the presbyter Joseph was prolonged for several hours. A guard was placed near the place of execution, so that Christians would not take the body of the holy martyr. On the fourth night a strong windstorm raged near the city, lightning killed the guard, the wind tossed stones about, and the body of Saint Joseph disappeared. Aeithalás was taken to the village of Patrias, where he was stoned. Christians secretly buried his body. A tree grew on the saint’s grave, and its fruit brought healings.

Persia, 240-270, Snandulia, bitter lamentations contrary Christian Hope, because tortures followed by eternal joy
Persia, 240-270, Snandulia, tended to Bishop Akepsimas, Presbyter Joseph, Deacon Aeithalas, oArbela, visited prisoners, bitter lamentations contrary Christian Hope, because tortures followed by eternal joy; Persia, 240-270, SNandulia, tended to Bishop Akepsimas, Presbyter Joseph, Deacon Aeithalas; Saint Snandulia of Persia, Commemorated on November 3; Snandulia of Persia is mentioned in the account of the martyrdom of Saints Joseph the priest and Aethalas the deacon. The historian Sozomen also describes their sufferings in his Church History (Book 2, ch. 13). was a devout Christian of the city of Arbela who visited those who suffered in prison for the sake of Christ. When she learned that Saints Joseph and Aethalas were in the prison, she went with her servants by night and bribed the guards with gold. allowed her to take the saints to her home until daybreak. They were barely alive and unable to speak. She took them home and put them to bed, tending their wounds, and kissing their shattered hands and feet. Joseph recovered consciousness and saw Snandulia weeping. He told her that the compassion she had shown for him and for Aethalas was pleasing to God, he thought that her bitter lamentations were contrary to Christian hope. replied, “When one is moved by compassion, it is natural to weep.” “Nevertheless,” Saint Joseph said, “you should not weep for us, for tortures borne for the sake of Christ are followed by eternal joy.” two saints were returned to prison the next morning, as promised. six months their wounds had healed to some extent. They could stand and walk a little, but Aethalas’s hands hung at his side limp and useless. was appointed as a judge, and he entered the city offering sacrifice to the gods in the various temples. Some of the priests told him about Saints Joseph and Aethalas, who had been tortured on the orders of Prince Ardasabor, the head of all the Magi of Persia. They explained to Zerothus that their execution was being delayed until they recovered from their wounds. he heard this, Zerothus ordered that the martyrs be brought before him. He used flattery and then threats in an attempt to persuade them to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods. When this proved unsuccessful, the judge had them beaten for a long time. they were brought before the judge again, Zerothus tried to get the saints to eat food which had been offered to the idols, but they refused. Then the judge had them beaten again, and ordered other Christians to stone them. Soldiers went to the homes of the Christians to force them to come to the judgment hall. They dug a hole and placed Saint Joseph in it, then put stones in the hands of the Christians and compelled them to stone him. Snandulia was among these Christians, but she refused to throw stones at the aged priest. Then they gave her a lance and told her to kill Saint Joseph. She said that she would rather drive the lance into her own heart than to wound the saint with it. Joseph was eventually killed by all the stones that were thrown at him, and the holy deacon Aethalas was also stoned in the same way. Snandulia stretched forth her arms to needful works and opened her hands to the needy (Proverbs 31:19-20), but she refused to lift her hands to do evil against Saint Joseph. Persia, 240-270, Akepsimas the Bishop, Joseph the Presbyter and Aeithalas the Deacon, Arbela, Persia ; Arbela in Assyria; Martyr Akepsimas the Bishop of Persia, Commemorated on November 3 ; Akepsimas the Bishop, Joseph the Presbyter and Aeithalás the Deacon of Persia were leaders of the Christian Church in the Persian city of Naesson. His flock devotedly loved their hierarch for his ascetic life and tireless pastoral work. emperor Sapor ordered his men to seek out and kill Christian clergy. Saint Akepsimas also was arrested, even though he was already an eighty-year-old man. They took him to the city of Arbela, where he came before the judge Ardarkh, a pagan priest of the sun god. The holy Elder refused to offer sacrifice to the Persian gods. For this he was fiercely beaten and thrown into prison, where on the following day the seventy-year-old priest Joseph and the deacon Aeithalás were severely beaten and thrown into jail with him. For three years the saints were held in confinement, and suffered from hunger and thirst. Sapor came to the temple of the god of fire, located not far from Arbela, and wanted to take a look at the three holy martyrs. Exhausted and covered with festering wounds, the saints were brought before the emperor. When he asked them to worship the pagan gods they firmly refused, confessing their faith in Christ instead. holy bishop was beheaded, but the presbyter and deacon were taken into the city to be stoned. execution of the presbyter Joseph was prolonged for several hours. A guard was placed near the place of execution, so that Christians would not take the body of the holy martyr. On the fourth night a strong windstorm raged near the city, lightning killed the guard, the wind tossed stones about, and the body of Saint Joseph disappeared. Aeithalás was taken to the village of Patrias, where he was stoned. Christians secretly buried his body. A tree grew on the saint’s grave, and its fruit brought healings.

Persia, 243, Battle of Resaena, Romans defeat Persians, take Babylon
Persia, 243, Battle of Resaena, Romans defeat Persians; Hieromartyr Polychronius the Bishop of Babylon, Commemorated on July 30;

Persia, 243-330, Great Martyr Irene, Magedon, Persia, wealthy, beautiful, high tower isolation, many miracles, much more
Persia, 243, Great Martyr Irene, Magedon, Persia (near Shiraz), wealthy, beautiful, high tower isolation from Christianity, 13 maidens w her, old C tutor Apellian, savior, faith, virtues , vision dove (superior education), olive branch (grace of God), eagle flowers, raven snake (suffering and sorrow), Lord wishes to betroth her, baptized Irene (peace), motionless horse hooves, horses remove fathers hand, she heals him, she preacher, Sedekias orders idol s, pit w vipers 10 days, unharmed, angel p and food, son Sapor, entire army blinded, healed, refused, lightning killed S, she converted 5,000, to Callinicus Syria, tortured 3 bronze oxen, 3rd ox walks, split, she emerged thousands c, to Constantina near Edessa, Armenia, beheaded buried by Saphor II in 330, raised by Angel, to Mesembria, king and subjects baptized, to Ephesus, received time of death, to cave; Magedon, Persia ; Great Martyr Irene, Commemorated on May 5; ---------------------The holy Great Martyr Irene was born in the city of Magedon in Persia during the fourth century. She was the daughter of Licinius, the pagan ruler of a certain small kingdom, and his wife Licinia, and at birth her parents named her Penelope. was very beautiful, and her father kept her isolated in a high tower from the time she was six so that she would not be exposed to Christianity. also placed thirteen young maidens in the tower with her. old tutor by the name of Apellian was appointed to give her the best possible education. Apellian was a Christian, and during her lessons, he told the girl about Christ the Savior and taught her about the Christian Faith and Christian virtues. Penelope reached adolescence, her parents began to think about her marriage. One night Penelope beheld the following vision: a dove entered the tower with an olive branch in its beak, depositing it on the table. An eagle also flew in carrying a wreath of flowers, and left it on the table. Then a raven flew in through another window and dropped a snake on the table. In the morning Penelope woke up and wondered about the meaning of the things she had seen. She related them to her tutor Apellian and he explained that the dove symbolized her superior education, and that the olive branch represented the grace of God which is received in Baptism. The eagle and the olive branch indicated success in her future life. The snake signified that she would experience suffering and sorrow. the end of the conversation Apellian said that the Lord wished to betroth her to Himself and that Penelope would undergo much suffering for her heavenly Bridegroom. After this Penelope refused marriage, was baptized by the priest Timothy, and he named her Irene (peace). She even urged her own parents to become Christians. Shortly after being baptized, she smashed all her father’s idols to pieces. Saint Irene had dedicated herself to Christ, she refused to marry any of the suitors her father had chosen for her. When Licinius learned that his daughter refused to worship the pagan gods, he was furious. He attempted to turn her from Christ by having her tortured. She was tied up and thrown beneath the hooves of wild horses so that they might trample her to death, but the horses remained motionless. Instead of harming the saint, one of the horses charged Licinius, seized his right hand and tore it from his arm. Then it knocked Licinius down and began to trample him to death. This caused a great deal of confusion among the people there but Irene consoled them with the words of Christ: “All things are possible to the one who believes” (Mark 9: 23). And indeed, with wondrous faith, she prayed and through her prayers Licinius rose unharmed in the presence of many eyewitnesses with his hand intact. Then, Licinius and his wife were baptized as Christians, along with almost 3000 others who turned away from the worship of inanimate idols. Licinius abandoned his domain and lived in the tower he had built for his daughter. There he spent the rest of his life in repentance. Irene lived in the house of her teacher Apellian, and she began to preach Christ among the pagans, leading them to the path of salvation. Sedekias (Yesdegerd), the new prefect of the city, heard of the miracles performed by the saint, he summoned Apellian and questioned him about Irene’s manner of life. Apellian replied that Irene, like other Christians, lived in strict temperance, devoting herself to constant prayer and reading holy books. summoned the saint to him and urged her to stop preaching about Christ. He also attempted to force her to sacrifice to the idols. Saint Irene staunchly confessed her faith before the prefect, not fearing his wrath, and prepared to undergo suffering for Christ. order of Sedekias she was thrown into a pit filled with vipers and serpents. The saint spent ten days in the pit and remained unharmed, for an angel of the Lord protected her and brought her food. Sedekias ascribed this miracle to sorcery, and he subjected Saint Irene to many other tortures, but she remained unharmed. Under the influence of her preaching and miracles even more people were converted to Christ, and turned away from the worship of inanimate idols. was deposed by his son Sapor, who persecuted Christians with an even greater zeal than his father had done. Saint Irene went to her home town of Magedon in Persia to meet Sapor and his army, and ask him to end the persecution. When he refused, Saint Irene prayed and his entire army was blinded. She prayed again and they received their sight once more. In spite of this, Sapor refused to recognize the power of God. Because of his insolence, he was struck and killed by a bolt of lightning. this, Saint Irene walked into the city and performed many miracles. She returned to the tower built by her father, accompanied by the priest Timothy. Through her teaching, she converted five thousand people to Christ. the saint went to the city of Callinicus, or Callinicum (possibly on the Euphrates River in Syria). The ruler of that place was King Numerian, the son of Sebastian. she began to teach about Christ, she was arrested and tortured by the pagan authorities. They enclosed her inside three bronze oxen, one after another, which were heated until they were red-hot. When the Great Martyr was placed within the third ox, it began to walk about, and then it split asunder. Saint Irene emerged from it as if from the fires of hell. This resulted in thousands of souls converting to the faith of Christ. the approach of death, Numerian instructed his eparch Babdonus to continue torturing the saint in order to force her to sacrifice to idols. Once again, the tortures were ineffective, and many people turned to Christ. ’s holy martyr then traveled to the city of Constantina, forty miles northeast of Edessa. By 330, the Persian king Sapor II (309-379) had heard of Saint Irene’s great miracles. To prevent her from winning more people to Christ, she was arrested, beheaded, and then buried. However, God sent an angel to raise her up again, and she went into the city of Mesembria. After seeing her alive and hearing her preach, the local king was baptized with many of his subjects. to convert even more pagans to Christianity, Saint Irene went to Ephesus, where she taught the people and performed many miracles. The Lord revealed to her that the end of her life was approaching. Saint Irene left the city accompanied by six people, including her former teacher Apellian. On the outskirts of the town, she found a new tomb in which no one had ever been buried. After making the Sign of the Cross, she went inside, directing her companions to seal the entrance to the cave with a large stone, which they did. She also told them that that no one should move the stone until four days had passed. returned after only two days, and found that the stone had been rolled away and the tomb was empty. There are conflicting accounts about her holy relics being taken to Constantinople and other places, including Patras, Samos, and Patmos. According to the Western Martyrologies, Saint Irene was martyred in Thessaloniki after being thrown into the fire, while according to the Menologion of Emperor Basil II, Saint Irene completed her martyric contest by being beheaded. Irene led thousands of people to Christ through her preaching, and by her example. The Church continues to honor her memory and to seek her heavenly intercession. She is invoked by those wishing to effect a swift and happy marriage. In Greece, she is also the patron saint of policemen. Saint Irene is also one of the twelve Virgin Martyrs who appeared to Saint Seraphim of Sarov (January 2) and the Diveyevo nun Eupraxia on the Feast of the Annunciation in 1831. By her holy prayers, may the Lord have mercy upon us and save us. Amen.

Persia, 274-293, Bahram II, rebellions, brother, cousin, 283 Roman invasion, lightning, R withdrew, Georgia control
Persian Sasanian Emperor, 274-293, Bahram II ; II (also spelled Wahram II or Warahran II was the fifth Sasanian King of Kings of Iran, from 274 to 293. He was the son and successor of Bahram I (r. 271–274). Bahram II, while still in his teens, ascended the throne with the aid of the powerful Zoroastrian priest Kartir, just like his father had done. was met with considerable challenges during his reign, facing a rebellion in the east led by his brother, the Kushano-Sasanian dynast Hormizd I Kushanshah, who also assumed the title of King of Kings and possibly laid claims to the Sasanian throne. rebellion, led by Bahram II's cousin Hormizd of Sakastan in Sakastan, also occurred around this period. Khuzestan, a Zoroastrian factional revolt led by a high-priest (mowbed) occurred. Roman emperor Carus exploited the turbulent situation of Iran by lanching a campaign into its holdings in Mesopotamia in 283. Bahram II, who was in the east, was unable to mount an effective coordinated defense at the time, possibly losing his capital of Ctesiphon to the Roman emperor. Carus died soon afterwards, reportedly being struck by lightning. As a result, the Roman army withdrew, and Mesopotamia was reclaimed by the Sasanians. the end of his reign, Bahram II had made peace with the Roman emperor Diocletian and put an end to the disturbances in Khuzestan and the east. the Caucasus, Bahram II strengthened Sasanian authority by securing the Iberian throne for Mirian III, an Iranian nobleman from the House of Mihran. II has been suggested by scholars to be the first Sasanian ruler to have coins minted of his family. He also ordered the carving of several rock reliefs that unambiguously emphasize distinguished representations of his family and members of the high nobility. was succeeded by his son Bahram III, who after only four months of reign, was overthrown by Narseh, a son of the second Sasanian ruler, Shapur I (r. 240–270). Martyr Andrew Stratelates in Cilicia, Commemorated on August 19; St James the Bishop of Nisibis, Commemorated on January 13; GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR, APOSTLE TO ARMENIA (23 March 332);

Persia, 280-350, James oNisibis, great ascetic Armenia Persian border, clairvoyant, 18 Chapters Orthodox Faith, 1st EC defender
Armenia, 280-350, James oNisibis, Armenia (Tigris River 3), Prince's son, educated, loved solitude, lived in mts around Nizba, Persian Roman Border, ascetic exploits, open sky, tree fruits greens food, goat skins dress, all time in prayer, 284-305 faith confession courage, 314 chosen bishop, glorified bZeal, miracles, clairvoyance, his prayers saved N fInvasion Persian Sapor, 325 1st EC Orthodox faith defender, teacher iHis public school, Great Armenia bishop Gregory requested he write about Orthodox faith, sent 18 chapters, faith, love, fasting, prayer, spiritual warfare, resurrection, pastor duties, circumcision, food choice, Christ as Son oGod, etc, a persuasive clear composition, died peacefully 350 ; Nisibis (Mesopotamia); St James the Bishop of Nisibis, Commemorated January 13 ; James, Bishop of Nisibis, was the son of prince Gefal (Armenia) and received a fine upbringing. the time of his youth he loved solitude, for a long time he lived in the mountains around about the city of Niziba (on the border of the Persian and Roman Empires), he carried out strict ascetic exploits: lived under the open sky, himself with tree fruits and greens, dressed himself in goat-skins. monk passed all this time in prayerful conversations with God. a persecution by the emperor Maximian (284-305) was glorified by a courageous confession of faith. of his strict and pious life the inhabitants of Nisibis chose him as their bishop (no later than the year 314). James was glorified by his ardent zeal for the Orthodox Faith, great miracles by the gift of clairvoyance. his prayers Nisibis was saved from an invasion by Sapor, the emperor of Persia. James, among the Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council, one of the prominent defenders of the Orthodox Faith. wise and educated pastor, he constructed a public school at Nisibis, which he himself was an instructor. made a strong impression on the hearts of his listeners by the high morality of his life. Gregory, bishop of great Armenia, turned to him with a request to write about the faith, the Nisibis pastor sent to him by way of reply a detailed Discourse (18 Chapters): the faith, love, warfare, resurrection of the dead, duties of pastors, circumcision (against the Jews), the choice of foods, Christ as the Son of God, and so on. His composition distinguishes itself by its persuasive clear exposition and warmth. James died peacefully in about the year 350.

Persia, 280-350. Saint James of Nisibis, Jacob, Gregory's Kin, Armenia (Tigris River 3)
Armenia, 280-350. Saint James of Nisibis, Armenia (Tigris River 3) Nisibis (Mesopotamia); St James the Bishop of Nisibis, Commemorated January 13 ; Venerable Ephraim the Syrian, Commemorated January 28 ;

Persia, 293, Bahram III, Sasanian Emperor, very short reign, overthrown by son of Shapur I, to be over Armenia
Persian Sasanian Emperor, 293, Bahram III; Martyr Andrew Stratelates in Cilicia, Commemorated on August 19; St James the Bishop of Nisibis, Commemorated on January 13 ; GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR, APOSTLE TO ARMENIA (23 March 332);

Persia, 293-302, Narseh, Sasanian Emperor, son of Shapur I, lost to Romans, religious tolerance
Persian Sasanian Emperor, 293-302, Narseh; (also spelled Narses or Narseus) was the seventh Sasanian King of Kings of Iran from 293 to 303. youngest son of Shapur I (r. 240–270), Narseh served as the governor of Sakastan, Hind and Turan under his father. Shapur I was eventually succeeded by his son Hormizd I (r. 270–271), who died after a reign of one year. I's eldest son Bahram I, who had never been considered as a candidate for succession to the throne by his father, ascended the throne with the aid of the powerful Zoroastrian priest Kartir. then made a settlement with Narseh to give up his entitlement to the throne in return for the governorship of the important frontier province of Armenia, which was a persistent cause for war between the Roman and Sasanian Empires. Narseh held the title of Vazurg sah Arminān ("Great King of Armenia"), which was used by the heir to the throne in the early Sasanian times. Nevertheless, Narseh most likely still viewed Bahram I as a usurper. succession of Bahram I's son, Bahram II (r. 274–293) seemingly occurred without any issues. However, after Bahram II's death in 293, the noble Wahnam had the latters son Bahram III unwillingly crowned. The nobility did not support Bahram III's kingship, and asked Narseh to rule instead. Ultimately, Bahram III abdicated as shah, while Wahnam was executed. Narseh's accession to the throne makes him the first Sasanian shah to not ascend the throne as a crown prince. The circumstances of Narseh's rise to power are detailed in the Paikuli inscription, which he made as his own Res Gestae Divi Augusti and to legitimize his rule.[1] years after his accession, war erupted between the Sasanians and Romans once again. In the spring of 297, Narseh's forces inflicted a heavy defeat on the forces of Galerius. The following year, however, Narseh was to suffer a heavy defeat at Satala; his wives, children, and many Iranian nobles were taken as prisoners of war. Due to this ignominious defeat, Narseh was forced to accept a peace treaty prescribed by the Romans, ceding them several areas at the Sasanian-Roman border. is notable for returning to the religious tolerance policy of his father.[2] Martyr Andrew Stratelates in Cilicia, Commemorated on August 19; Martyr Athenodorus of Mesopotamia, Commemorated on December 7; St James the Bishop of Nisibis, Commemorated on January 13; GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR, APOSTLE TO ARMENIA (23 March 332);

Persia, 300, 4th Century Folder, Sasanian Empire, Saphor II, Julian's Death

Persia, 301-350, Akepsimas &Aithalas, Arbel, Galilee, Pagan Priest and Arbel Church Deacon, martyred together for confession
Galilee, 301-350, Arbel (Arbela), Galilee, Pagan Priest and Arbel Church Deacon, martyred together for confession; Arbel; Roman and Byzantine "Arbel" or "Arbela"[edit] In 161 BCE "Arbela" in the Arbel Valley was the site of a battle between the supporters of the Maccabees and Seleucid general Bacchides, who defeated and killed his opponents (1 Macc. 9:2).[3][4][5] the second half of the second century BCE, the village of Arbel was the home of the sage Nittai of Arbela.[citation needed] 38 BCE, Jewish partisans of Antigonus who were opposing Herod in his conquest of the land with the help of Roman, sought refuge from his troops in the caves dotting the steep northern cliffs of Mount Arbel, but couldn't escape death.[6][4][5] Their story is told by Josephus, who himself fortified the cave-village as a storage base at the beginning of the First Jewish–Roman War against Rome in 66 CE.[4][5] ancient town of Arbel is thought by some to have been located at the site of Khirbet Wadi Hamam ("Ruins [in the] Valley of the Doves"; Hurvat Vradim being the modern Hebrew name), on the other side of Arbel Valley, on the eastern slopes of Mount Nitay and close to the stream bed; if that was the case, the village only moved to the site of Khirbet Irbid, close to where the modern moshav stands now, during the Middle Ages.[5] The Jewish scholar Ishtori Haparchi, writing in 1322, thought to identify ancient Arbel with the Arab village itself, in its location on Mount Arbel, 4.5 kilometres (2.8 mi) northwest of Tiberias.[7] from the late Roman and Byzantine periods have been found.[8][dubious – discuss] Martyr Akepsimas of Egypt, Commemorated on December 11 ; Holy Martyrs Akepsimas and Aithalas were from Persia. Akepsimas was a pagan priest in the city of Arbel. Having received healing through the prayers of a Christian bishop, he was converted to the faith in Christ and boldly confessed it. For this they threw Saint Akepsimas into prison. after, Saint Aithalas, a deacon of the Arbel Church, was imprisoned with him. They brought the martyrs before the ruler, where they again confessed their faith and were beheaded.

Persia, 302-309, Hormizd II, Sasanian Emperor, Bishapur, nobility intrigues, k, son k, n installed infant son Shapur II
Persia, 302-309, Hormizd II, Sasanian Emperor, Bishapur, Armenia Christian, internal turmoil, d and K Ghassanid king in Syria, nobility intrigues, k, son k, n installed infant son Shapur II; II (also spelled Hormozd II or Ohrmazd II‎) was king (shah) of the Sasanian Empire. He ruled for seven years and five months, from 303 to 309. He was a son and successor of Narseh (r. 293–303). his reign, the Kingdom of Armenia had recently declared Christianity as its official religion, thus leaving its ancient Zoroastrian heritage that it shared with Sasanian Iran. II's reign was also marked by internal turmoil, which he successfully managed to deal with it. Hormizd II was also successful in his efforts in the west, defeating and killing the Ghassanid king in Syria. His reign was, however, cut short by the intrigues of the Iranian nobility, that killed him in a secluded place. was succeeded by his son Adur Narseh, who after a few months of reigning was also killed by the nobility. They instead installed Hormizd II's infant son Shapur II on the throne. Hieromartyr Sisinius the Deacon of Rome, Commemorated on June 7; GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR, APOSTLE TO ARMENIA (23 March 332);

Persia, 309-379, Saphor II the Great, Sasanian Emperor, Alamundar, Bishapur, infant king, 70 yr reign, military resurgence
Persia, 309-379, Saphor II the Great, Sasanian Emperor, Alamundar, Bishapur, infant king, 70 yr reign, military resurgence, expansion, persecuted christians, jews prospered, controlled Armenia ; II (309 – 379), also known as Shapur the Great, was the tenth Sasanian King of Kings (Shahanshah) of Iran. The longest-reigning monarch in Iranian history, he reigned for the entirety of his 70-year life, from 309 to 379. He was the son of Hormizd II (r. 302–309). reign saw the military resurgence of the country, and the expansion of its territory, which marked the start of the first Sasanian golden era. He is thus along with Shapur I, Kavad I and Khosrow I, regarded as one of the most illustrious Sasanian kings. His three direct successors, on the other hand, were less successful. At the age of 16, he launched enormously successful military campaigns against Arab insurrections and tribes who knew him as (he who pierces shoulders). II pursued a harsh religious policy. Under his reign, the collection of the Avesta, the sacred texts of Zoroastrianism, was completed, heresy and apostasy were punished, and Christians were persecuted. The latter was a reaction against the Christianization of the Roman Empire by Constantine the Great. Shapur II, like Shapur I, was amicable towards Jews, who lived in relative freedom and gained many advantages in his period (see also Rava). At the time of Shapur's death, the Sasanian Empire was stronger than ever, with its enemies to the east pacified and Armenia under Sasanian control. Kerman, Persia; Bishapur, Persia (Eslamabad); Sapor II (310-331), Sasanian Persian Empire ; Martyr Eudokia of Persia, Commemorated August 4 ; Martyr Dometius of Persia, Commemorated on August 7; Martyr Heliodorus of Persia, Commemorated August 20 ; Martyr Aithalas of Persia, Commemorated on September 1 ; Martyr Ia of Persia, Commemorated on September 11 ; Martyr Memelchtha of Persia, Commemorated on October 5 ; Martyr Memelchtha of Persia was, before her conversion to the Christian Faith, a pagan priestess of the goddess Artemis. saint’s sister convinced her to accept Baptism. When the pagans saw Memelchtha in her white baptismal robe, they stoned her. The saint suffered in the year 344. Later, a church was dedicated to her on the site of the temple of Artemis. Greatmartyr Artemius at Antioch, Commemorated on October 20; Hieromartyr James the Presbyter of Persia, Commemorated on November 1 ; Hieromartyr John the Bishop of Persia, Commemorated on November 1; 7,000 Martyrs who suffered in Persia, Commemorated on November 2; Martyr Acindynus of Persia, Commemorated on November 2; Martyr Akepsimas the Bishop of Persia, Commemorated on November 3; St Snandulia of Persia, Commemorated on November 3 ; Hieromartyr Milus the Bishop in Persia, Commemorated on November 10; Hieromartyr Nerses of Persia, Commemorated on November 20; Martyr Ananias of Persia, Commemorated on December 1; St James the Bishop of Nisibis, Commemorated on January 13; Venerable Ephraim the Syrian, Commemorated on January 28; St Aphraates of Persia, Commemorated on January 29; Hieromartyr Abramius the Bishop of Arbela in Assyria, Commemorated on February 4; Hieromartyr Abramius the Bishop of Arbela in Assyria, Commemorated on February 4 ; St Maruthas the Bishop of Martyropolis in Mesopotamia, Commemorated on February 16; Hieromartyr Sadoc (Sadoth) the Bishop of Persia, Commemorated on February 20; Hieromartyr Theodoritus of Antioch, Commemorated on March 8; GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR, APOSTLE TO ARMENIA (23 March 332); Martyr Jonah and those with him, in Persia, Commemorated on March 28; Martyr Jonah and those with him, in Persia, Commemorated on March 28 ; Virginmartyr Pherbutha (Phermoutha) of Persia, with her sister and servant, Commemorated on April 4; 120 Martyrs of Persia, Commemorated on April 6; Martyr Desan the Bishop and 272 others in Persia, Commemorated on April 9; Martyr Eupsychius of Caesarea, in Cappadocia, Commemorated on April 9; Monkmartyr Bademus (Vadim) of Persia, Commemorated on April 9; Martyr James the Presbyter of Persia, Commemorated on April 10; Martyr Azades (Azat) the Eunuch of Persia, Commemorated on April 14; Hieromartyr Simeon the Bishop in Persia, and those with him in Persia, Commemorated on April 17; Martyr Ananias the Presbyter in Persia, Commemorated on April 17; Martyr Bata the Persian, Commemorated on May 1; Greatmartyr Irene of Thessalonica, Commemorated on May 5; Hieromartyr Helladius the Bishop in the East, Commemorated on May 28; Hieromartyr Sisinius the Deacon of Rome, Commemorated on June 7; 5 Martyred Nuns beheaded in Persia, Commemorated on June 9; Martyr Manuel of Persia, Commemorated on June 17;

Persia, 309-379, Abramius, Bishop of Arbela, Assyria, under Sapor II, tortured, Lord, do not count this sin against them
Persia, 309-379, Abramius the Bishop of Arbela in Assyria (Tigris River 4) suffered under Sapor II, tortured, Lord, do not count this sin against them; Arbela in Assyria; Hieromartyr Abramius the Bishop of Arbela in Assyria, Commemorated February 4 ; Hieromartyr Abramius, Bishop of Arbela, suffered during a persecution against Christians in Persia under the emperor Sapor II. When they demanded that the saint renounce Christ and worship the sun, he answered, “How foolish to forsake the Creator and instead worship creatures! Isn’t the sun just a creation of my God?” this, they fiercely beat and tortured him. Saint Abramius prayed during torture, echoing the words of the Savior: “Lord, do not count this sin against them, for they know not what they do!” The hieromartyr was beheaded by the sword in the village of Felman.

Persia, 309-379, Sadok&128 Martyrs,Bishapur, Saphur II, dreamed his death, Simeon in dream atop ladder, ascend to me
Persia, 309-379, Sadok, Bishop, of Persia, and 128 Martyrs with him, Bishapur, South Southwest Persia (Bushehr River near Kazerun) Saphur II, after Simeon, dreamed his death, Simeon in dream atop ladder, ascend to me today, they all beheaded after 5 months ; Persian Sasanian Emperor, 309-379, Saphor II the Great, Bishapur ; Hieromartyr Sadoc (Sadoth) the Bishop of Persia, Commemorated on February 20; Hieromartyr Sadoc, Bishop of Persia, and 128 Martyrs with him suffered in Persia under Sapor II. Sadoc was successor of the hieromartyr Simeon (April 17). once had a dream, in which Saint Simeon told him of his own impending martyric death. Standing in great glory atop a ladder reaching up to Heaven, Saint Simeon said, “Ascend to me, Sadoc, and be not afraid. Yesterday I ascended, and today you will ascend.” the emperor Sapor, renewing the persecution against Christians, ordered that Saint Sadoc be arrested with his clergy and flock. In all, 128 people were arrested, including nine virgins. They were thrown into prison, where they were cruelly tortured for five months. They were told to renounce the Christian Faith and instead to worship the sun and fire. The holy martyrs bravely answered, “We are Christians and worship the One God.” They were sentenced to beheading by the sword.

Persia, 310-331, Martyred brothers Barachisius &Jonah +, in Persia, tPrison tEncourage, no worship sun,fire&water, many tortures
Persia, 310-331, Martyred brothers Barachisius &Jonah +, in Persia, went to the prison where christians being held, encouraged, arrested, worship sun,fire&water, no, tortured Jonah, beat long time, dragged over ice, cut off fingers toes, cut out tongue, pealed skin from head, sawed in half, threw into ditch, tortured Barachisius, molten tin in nose, ears, mouth, raked w sharp instruments, tied to turning wheel, boiling tar in mouth; Persia (Iran); Martyred brothers Barachisius and Jonah, and those with them, in Persia, Commemorated on March 28; Barachisius was the brother of Saint Jonah. They were Christians who lived in the village of Yasa in Persia during the time of the emperor Sapor (310-331), a fierce persecutor of Christians. that Christians were being tortured in the city of Baravokh, they went there to the prison where Saints Zanithas, Lazarus, Maruthas, Narses, Elias, Marinus, Habib, Sembeeth (Sivsithina), and Savva were being held. encouraged them to adhere to the Christian Faith until the very end. The holy brothers were arrested and brought to trial before the Persian princes Masdrath, Siroth and Marmis, who urged them to worship the sun, fire, and water. The holy martyrs firmly confessed their faith in Christ and would not agree to the demands of the pagans. Therefore, they were subjected to fierce torments and death. Jonah suffered first. They tied the holy martyr to a tree and beat him for a long time, then they dragged him across the ice of a frozen lake. They also cut off his fingers and toes, and cut out his tongue. Then they peeled the skin from his head, and finally sawed his body in half and threw it in a ditch. placed red-hot shackles on the wrists of Saint Barachisius, poured molten tin in his nose, ears and mouth, and they raked him with sharp instruments, after they tied him to a turning wheel. The holy martyr surrendered his soul to God after they poured boiling tar in his mouth. bodies of the holy martyrs Jonah, Barachisius and the other martyrs were buried by a pious Christian named Habdisotes.

Persia, 330, 5 Nuns beheaded, virgins gave wealth to priest, he accepted Zism, persians killed p after he killed them
Persia, 330, 5 Nuns beheaded, Ctesiphon, Persia (Tigris River 7, Near Bagdad) Sassanian Capitol, Wealthy priest, virgins gave wealth to him, he accepted Zoroism to save his wealth, they did not, he killed them, persians killed him next day; Ctesiphon; Five Nuns beheaded in Persia: Martyrs Thecla, Mariamne, Martha, Mary, and Ennatha Commemorated on June 9; the time of the Persian king Saphor II (ca. 330 A.D.), a priest by the name of Paul was living near the village of Aza. was wealthy and a lover of money, he had with him five women who had consecrated their virginity to God. Saints Thekla, Mariamne, Martha, Maria, and Ennatha were adorned with the splendor of virtues. were wealthy, and they entrusted their Spiritual Father with all their money. greedy man prayed and chanted the Psalms with them, but he kept their money for himself. they learned that the priest Paul was rich, the Persians threatened to kill him and the five virgins if he did not deny Christ and give them some of his treasure. he preferred earthly riches, he accepted the Persian religion. holy virgins said that they would rather suffer torture and death than deny Christ. beheaded the women with a sword when they refused to follow his treacherous example. He did not enjoy his wealth for very long, however. The Persians drowned him the following evening in order to obtain all of the money. The holy virgins received their incorruptible crowns of glory from Christ in the year 346. five Virgin Martyrs are also commemorated on September 26.

Persia, 332or343, Hieromartyr PresbyterJames(t zealot) & Bishop John, s preachers, beheaded, unfading martyrdom crowns
Persia, 332 or 343, Hieromartyr James the Presbyter (the zealot) and John the Bishop, Bishapur, South Southwest Persia (Bushehr River near Kazerun), successful preachers, beheaded, unfading crowns of martyrdom; Persian Sasanian Emperor, 309-379, Saphor II the Great, Bishapur ; Kerman, Persia; Bishapur, Persia (Eslamabad); Hieromartyr James the Presbyter of Persia, Commemorated on November 1 ; Hieromartyrs John the Bishop and James the Presbyter (known as "the zealot"), during the reign of the Persian King Shapur II1 and preached the true Faith, and many devout persons were attracted to it. Saints were arrested by Shapur and, after being subjected to cruel torments, they were beheaded in the year 332 (or 343). Thus, they received unfading crowns of martyrdom from Christ. Shapur II, known as the Great, was a Persian king, who reigned from 310 to 381, and persecuted Christians. Hieromartyr John the Bishop of Persia, Commemorated on November 1; Story

Persia, 332or343, 7k Martyrs, in Persia, including Sapor II's mother, whipped, massacred, fired but not burned
Persia, 332or343, 0 Martyrs who suffered in Persia, including Sapor II's mother, whipped, massacred, fired but not burned; Persian Sasanian Emperor, 309-379, Saphor II the Great, Bishapur ; 7,000 Martyrs who suffered in Persia, Commemorated on November 2; Acindynus suffered martyrdom in Persia along with Saints Pegasias, Aphthonius, Elpidephorus, Anempodistus, and 7,000 other Christians at the time of King Sapor II (310-381). saints were Sapor’s courtiers, and were secret Christians. the king began his persecution against Christians, envious pagans denounced them to him. Summoned to Sapor’s presence for trial, the holy martyrs fearlessly confessed their faith in the Holy Trinity. The king ordered them to be beaten with whips. told the people that Saints Acindynus, Pegasias, Anempodistus and Elpidephorus would have their heads cut off, and that he would not permit the Christians to bury their bodies. tremendous crowd accompanied these saints as they were led outside the city walls for execution, glorifying Christ. Sapor’s orders, soldiers massacred all the Christians in the procession (about 7,000), including Saint Elpidephorus. Pegasias, and Anempodistus were burned on the following day with the mother of the emperor. came secretly by night to the place of execution, found the bodies of the holy martyrs unharmed by the fire, and they buried them with reverence. Martyr Acindynus of Persia, Commemorated on November 2; Story

Persia, 332or343, Acindynus, martyr, in Persia, including Sapor II's mother, whipped, massacred, fired but not burned
Persia, 332or343, 0 Martyrs who suffered in Persia, including Sapor II's mother, whipped, massacred, fired but not burned; Persian Sasanian Emperor, 309-379, Saphor II the Great, Bishapur ; 7,000 Martyrs who suffered in Persia, Commemorated on November 2; Acindynus suffered martyrdom in Persia along with Saints Pegasias, Aphthonius, Elpidephorus, Anempodistus, and 7,000 other Christians at the time of King Sapor II (310-381). saints were Sapor’s courtiers, and were secret Christians. the king began his persecution against Christians, envious pagans denounced them to him. Summoned to Sapor’s presence for trial, the holy martyrs fearlessly confessed their faith in the Holy Trinity. The king ordered them to be beaten with whips. told the people that Saints Acindynus, Pegasias, Anempodistus and Elpidephorus would have their heads cut off, and that he would not permit the Christians to bury their bodies. tremendous crowd accompanied these saints as they were led outside the city walls for execution, glorifying Christ. Sapor’s orders, soldiers massacred all the Christians in the procession (about 7,000), including Saint Elpidephorus. Pegasias, and Anempodistus were burned on the following day with the mother of the emperor. came secretly by night to the place of execution, found the bodies of the holy martyrs unharmed by the fire, and they buried them with reverence. Martyr Acindynus of Persia, Commemorated on November 2; Story

Persia, 341, Hieromartyr Milus, Bishop oTelepolis oSuza, fGeneral, devout ascetic so prophecy healing gifts
Persia, 341, Hieromartyr Milus, Bishop oTelepolis oSuza, Iran (Persian Gulf, Isfahan Crossroads North South), former General, devout ascetic so prophecy healing gifts, ordained bBo Geddegoupolis, pagans expelled M from Susa, tJerusalem, tAlexandria, met Anthony tG, 2yrs, back tPersia, arrested, death bSword, disciples bWooden clubs&stones; Suza, Iran (Persian Gulf) ; Hieromartyr Milus the Bishop in Persia, Commemorated November 10 ; Persian Martyr Mίlos was once a General. he was chosen as the Bishop of Telepolis (Susa, or Shushan in Syriac), where the Prophet Daniel saw visions.1 of his devout ascetical life, Saint Mίlos received from God the gifts of prophecy and healing. was ordained by Bishop Bēthlapát of Geddēgoupólis. the pagans expelled him from the city of Susa, his episcopal See, he fled to Jerusalem. there, he went to Alexandria, where he met Saint Anthony the Great (January 17). two years the Hierarch returned to Persia, where he and his disciples were arrested by the ruler Basiliskos. Mίlos was put to death by the sword. disciples2 Ebórēs, Papas, and the Deacon Senóei (or Sebórēs), were killed with wooden clubs and stones. they all received the immortal crown of martyrdom in the year 341. Daniel 8:2 (LXX). Some sources say there were two disciples: Abrosim and Sinon. Others list three disciples: Ebórēs, Papas, and the Deacon Senóei (or Sebórēs). The difference in the names might be explained by alternate transcriptions of the Persian names into other languages. Papas may be a proper name, or it may be that Ebórēs was a priest. If that is the case, however, one would expect to see the title πρεσβύτερος.

Persia, 343, Hieromartyr Nerses and those with him, Bishapur, bishops and martyrs, beheaded, stoned, strangled, tortured
Persia, 343, Hieromartyr Nerses and those with him, Bishapur, bishops and martyrs, beheaded, stoned, strangled, tortured, under Saphor II, disciple Joseph, Bishops John Saverius Isaac Hypatius, martyr Azades the Eunuch, Savorius, Thekla, Anna and many others; Persian Sasanian Emperor, 309-379, Saphor II the Great, Bishapur ; Kerman, Persia; Bishapur, Persia (Eslamabad); Hieromartyr Nerses of Persia, Commemorated on November 20; Nerses the bishop suffered for Christ in Persia with his disciple Joseph; Bishops John, Saverius, Isaac and Hypatius; the Martyrs Azades the Eunuch, Savonius, Thekla, Anna and many other men and women. They were executed in 343 during a persecution against Christians under the emperor Sapor II. Nerses and his disciple Joseph were beheaded; Saint John was stoned. This fate befell also Saints Isaac and Hypatius. Saint Saverius died in prison, and after death they cut off his head. A certain apostate presbyter strangled the Martyr Azades the Eunuch. The Martyrs Savonius, Thekla, Anna and many other men and women also underwent torture, suffering and death for Christ in 343.

Persia, 343, Martyr Ananias, while tortured said I see a ladder leading to heaven, radiant men calling me, to city of light
Persia, 343, Martyr Ananias, while being tortured, he said I see a ladder leading to heaven, and radiant men calling me to a marvelous city of light; Martyr Ananias of Persia, Commemorated on December 1; Saint Ananias was being tortured for his belief in Christ, he said, “I see a ladder leading to heaven, and radiant men calling me to a marvelous city of light.” Persia, 343, Hieromartyr Nerses and those with him, Bishapur, bishops and martyrs, beheaded, stoned, strangled, tortured; Persian Sasanian Emperor, 309-379, Saphor II the Great, Bishapur ; Kerman, Persia; Bishapur, Persia (Eslamabad); Hieromartyr Nerses of Persia, Commemorated on November 20; Nerses the bishop suffered for Christ in Persia with his disciple Joseph; Bishops John, Saverius, Isaac and Hypatius; the Martyrs Azades the Eunuch, Savonius, Thekla, Anna and many other men and women. They were executed in 343 during a persecution against Christians under the emperor Sapor II. Nerses and his disciple Joseph were beheaded; Saint John was stoned. This fate befell also Saints Isaac and Hypatius. Saint Saverius died in prison, and after death they cut off his head. A certain apostate presbyter strangled the Martyr Azades the Eunuch. The Martyrs Savonius, Thekla, Anna and many other men and women also underwent torture, suffering and death for Christ in 343.

Persia, 344, Hieromartyr Simeon, Bishop in Persia, Ctesiphon, Sassanian Capitol Saphor II's time, heavy tax on c, 1150 martyred
Persia, 344, Hieromartyr Simeon, Bishop in Persia, and those with him, Ctesiphon, Persia (Tigris River 7, Near Bagdad) Sassanian Capitol Saphor II's time, heavy tax on c, eunuch Usphazanes embarrased, then repents and executed, 1150 martyred; Ctesiphon; Hieromartyr Simeon, Bishop in Persia, and those with him, Commemorated on April 17; Hieromartyr Simeon, Bishop of Persia, suffered during a persecution against Christians under the Persian emperor Sapor II (310-381). They accused the saint of collaborating with the Roman Empire and of subversive activities against the Persian emperor. the year 344, the emperor issued an edict which imposed a heavy tax upon Christians. When some of them refused to pay it, this was regarded as an act of rebellion, so the emperor began a fierce persecution against Christians. Simeon was brought to trial in iron fetters as a supposed enemy of the Persian realm, together with the two hieromartyrs Habdelai and Ananias. The holy bishop would not even bow to the emperor, who asked why he would not show him the proper respect. The saint answered, “Formerly, I bowed because of your rank, but now, when you ask me to renounce my God and abandon my faith, it is not proper for me to bow to you.” emperor urged him to worship the sun, and he threatened to eradicate Christianity in his land if he refused. But neither urgings nor threats could shake the steadfast saint, and they led him off to prison. Along the way the eunuch Usphazanes, a counsellor of the emperor, saw the saint. He stood up and bowed to the bishop, but the saint turned away from him because he, a former Christian, out of fear of the emperor, now worshipped the sun. eunuch repented with all his heart, he exchanged his fine attire for coarse garb, and sitting at the doors of the court, he cried out bitterly, “Woe to me, when I stand before my God, from Whom I am cut off. Here was Simeon, and he has turned his back on me!” emperor Sapor learned about the grief of his beloved tutor and asked him what had happened. He told the emperor that he bitterly regretted his apostasy and would no more worship the sun, but only the one true God. The emperor was surprised at the old man’s sudden decision, and he urged him not to abjure the gods whom their fathers had reverenced. But Usphazanes was unyielding, and they condemned him to death. Saint Usphazanes asked that the city heralds report that he died not for crimes against the emperor, but for being a Christian. The emperor granted his request. Simeon also learned about the death of Usphazanes, and he gave thanks to the Lord. When they brought him before the emperor a second time, Saint Simeon again refused to worship the pagan gods and confessed his faith in Christ. The enraged emperor gave orders to behead all the Christians in the prison before the saint’s eyes. fear the Christians went to execution, blessed by the holy hierarch, and they bent their heads beneath the sword. Saint Simeon’s companion, the Priest Habdelai, was also beheaded. When they came to the Priest Ananias, he suddenly trembled. Then one of the dignitaries, Saint Phusicus (Pusicius), a secret Christian, was afraid that Ananias would renounce Christ, and he cried out, “Do not fear the sword, Elder, and you will see the divine light of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Phusicus betrayed himself by this outburst. The emperor gave orders to pluck out his tongue and to flay the skin off him. Along with Saint Phusicus, his daughter Askitrea was also martyred. Saint Simeon was the last to go before the executioner, and he placed his head on the chopping-block (April 13, 344). Executions continued all during Bright Week until April 23. Azates the Eunuch, a close official to the emperor, also received the crown of martyrdom, along with Saints Abdechalas, Usthazanes, and Azades. The sources indicate that 1,150 Martyrs perished because they refused to accept the Persian religion.

Persia, 344, Martyr Memelchtha, Pagan Priestess, Bishapur
Persia, 344, Martyr Memelchtha, Pagan Priestess of Persia, Bishapur; Martyr Memelchtha of Persia, Commemorated on October 5 ; Martyr Memelchtha of Persia was, before her conversion to the Christian Faith, a pagan priestess of the goddess Artemis. saint’s sister convinced her to accept Baptism. When the pagans saw Memelchtha in her white baptismal robe, they stoned her. The saint suffered in the year 344. Later, a church was dedicated to her on the site of the temple of Artemis.

Persia, 344-347, 120 Martyrs of Persia, Kerman (high point, home of Shapur II the Great), consigned to the flames, 10 virgins
Persia, 344-347, 120 Martyrs of Persia, Kerman (high point, home of Shapur II the Great), consigned to the flames, 10 virgins; Shapur II the Great; Kerman, Persia (high point, home of Shapur II the Great); 120 Martyrs of Persia, Commemorated on April 6; Holy 120 Martyrs suffered under the Persian emperor Sapor. were taken into captivity during the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Constantios (337-361). were consigned to the flames after firmly confessing their faith (c.344-347). Shandulios (November 3) concealed their relics from desecration by the pagans. the holy martyrs were ten virgins, who had dedicated themselves to the service of God.

Persia, 346, 5 nuns beheaded in Persia, actually Aza, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Saphor II's time (309-379), killed by corrupt Priest
Georgia, 346, Five nuns beheaded in Persia, actually Aza, Azerbaijan, Georgia, during Saphor II's time (309-379), Priest Paul in Aza village, wealthy lover oMoney, had with him 5 women saints consecrated to God, adorned with virtues, also wealthy, entrusted their money to Paul, their spiritual father, he prayed and chanted Psalms with them, but kept money for himself, Persians threatened kill them for the money, if they not deny Christ, and give them some, Paul said Ok and became fire worshippers, virgins said no, Paul beheaded virgins, Persians drowned Paul next evening, virgins received incorruptble crowns oGlory from Christ in 346; Aza, Azerbaijan; Five Nuns beheaded in Persia: Martyrs Thecla, Mariamne, Martha, Mary, and Ennatha, Commemorated on June 9; the time of the Persian king Saphor II (ca. 330 A.D.), a priest by the name of Paul was living near the village of Aza. was wealthy and a lover of money, and he had with him five women who had consecrated their virginity to God. Saints Mariamne, Martha, Maria, and Ennatha were adorned with the splendor of virtues. were wealthy, and they entrusted their Spiritual Father with all their money. greedy man prayed and chanted the Psalms with them, but he kept their money for himself. they learned that the priest Paul was rich, the Persians threatened to kill him and the five virgins if he did not deny Christ and give them some of his treasure. he preferred earthly riches, he accepted the Persian religion. holy virgins said that they would rather suffer torture and death than deny Christ. beheaded the women with a sword when they refused to follow his treacherous example. did not enjoy his wealth for very long, however. Persians drowned him the following evening in order to obtain all of the money. holy virgins received their incorruptible crowns of glory from Christ in the year 346. The five Virgin Martyrs are also commemorated on September 26.

Persia, 363, Battle of Samarra, Julian the Apostate's death
Battle of Samarra, 363, Julian the Apostate's death; Julian left Antioch for a war with the Persians. Near the Persian city of Ctesiphon, Julian came upon an elderly Persian, who agreed to betray his countrymen and guide Julian'™s army. The old man deceived Julian and led his army into the Karmanite wilderness, where there was neither food nor water. Tired from hunger and thirst, Julian'™s army battled against fresh Persian forces. ; Greatmartyr Artemius at Antioch, Commemorated on October 20; Venerable Ephraim the Syrian, Commemorated on January 28; Hieromartyr Theodoritus of Antioch, Commemorated on March 8; Martyr Eupsychius of Caesarea, in Cappadocia, Commemorated on April 9; Martyr Manuel of Persia, Commemorated on June 17;

Persia, 363, Helladius the Bishop, Artaz Region, high point, Armenia, not harmed by fire, healed by Jesus
Armenia, 363, Helladius the Bishop in the Eastern part of the Roman Empire, Artaz Region, high point, Armenia, not harmed by fire, healed by Jesus; Eastern part of the Roman Empire ; Hieromartyr Helladius the Bishop in the East, Commemorated on May 28; Hieromartyr Helladius the Bishop was thrown into fire because of his faith in Christ, but he remained unharmed. He died as a martyr from the terrible beating inflicted upon him. the Service to Saint Helladius it is said that the Lord Jesus Christ visited him in prison and healed him of his wounds. According to certain sources, Saint Helladius suffered under the Persians during their invasion into the Eastern part of the Roman Empire in the fourth century.

Persia, 370, Aphraates fPersia, tEdessa&Antioch, disavvowed illustrious lineage, attracted many to his holy life, preached
Armenia, 370, Aphraates fPersia, tEdessa&Antioch, disavvowed illustrious lineage, attracted many to his holy life, preached word of God to them, died 370; Edessa, Syria; St Aphraates of Persia, Commemorated on January 29 ; Aphraates, a Persian who came to believe in Christ, disavowed his illustrious lineage and left his pagan countrymen by going to Edessa, and then to Antioch. attracted many by his holy life, and preached the Word of God to them. He died in the year 370.

Persia, 372-422, Maruthas, Bishop oMartyropolis, tPersian Shah twice, persuaded favorable Christian disposition, much more
Mesopotamia, 372-422, Maruthas, Bishop oMartyropolis, Syria, Mesopotamia, and Armenia (Tigris River 2), Bishop oTagrith (Martyropolis), city he founded, between Byzantine Empire and Persia, knowledge&piety fame, wrote about martyrs, suffered under Sapor, Syrian Language Commentary otGospel, Verses oMaruthas, 73 Cannons ot 325 EC at Nicea, Acts otCouncil, 381 2nd EC participant aConstantinople, against Macedonius, 383 attended Council oAntioch against Messalians, 403-404 off to Constantinople, plead Arcadius protect Persian Christians, two times sent by Theodosius tYounger to Shah in Izdegerd to secure peace, 414 persuaded Shah favorable disposition tChristians, for freedom Christians iPersia, located Persian saints relics, transferred them tMartyropolis, rebuilt Churches razed by Sapor, died iPersia 422, relics trans tEgypt, skete Monastery otMOG; Martyropolis; St Maruthas the Bishop of Martyropolis in Mesopotamia, Commemorated on February 16; Maruthas was Bishop of Tagrith (Martyropolis), city which he founded between the Byzantine Empire and Persia. was famed for his knowledge and his piety, wrote about the martyrs, he suffered for his faith in Christ under the Persian emperor Sapor. also left behind other works in the Syrian language, which the most famous are: “Commentary on the Gospel,” “Verses of Maruthas,” “Liturgy of Maruthas” “The 73 Canons of the Ecumenical Council at Nicea” (325) with an account of the acts of the Council. the year 381 Saint Maruthas participated in the Second Ecumenical Council at Constantinople, against the heresy of Macedonius. 383, he attended the Council of Antioch against the Messalians. the years 403-404 Saint Maruthas set off to Constantinople plead with the emperor Arcadius to protect Persian Christians. was twice sent by the emperor Theodosius the Younger to the Shah Izdegerd to secure the peace between the Empire and Persia. the year 414 Saint Maruthas, having done his duty as envoy to the court of Izdegerd, the Shah to a favorable disposition towards Christians, and he assisted greatly in the freedom of Christians in Persia. rebuilt Christian churches razed during the persecution by the Persian ruler Sapor. also located relics of saints who had suffered martyrdom and transferred them to Martyropolis. died there in 422. relics of Saint Maruthas were later transferred to Egypt placed in a skete monastery of the Mother of God.

Persia, 380, James the Presbyter and the deacons Azadanes and Abdikius, Tortured under Sapor II
Persia, 380, James the Presbyter and the deacons Azadanes and Abdikius, Bishapur, South Southwest Persia (Bushehr River near Kazerun), Died under Sapor II, mustard and vinegar in nostrils, stripped, all night in cold, beheaded Persian Sasanian Emperor, 309-379, Saphor II the Great, Bishapur ; Kerman, Persia; Bishapur, Persia (Eslamabad); Martyr James the Presbyter of Persia, Commemorated on April 10; Holy Martyrs James the Presbyter and the deacons Azadanes and Abdikius died in Persia under the emperor Sapor in about the year 380. were arrested together with Bishop Akepsimas (November 3). Weak from hunger, the sufferers had mustard and vinegar inserted into their nostrils. Then they were stripped and led out to stand all night in the cold. the morning, after new torments, the martyrs were returned to prison and beheaded.

Persia, 380-383, Sasanian Emperor, Ardashir II, S II's brother, appointed to rule till Saphor III
Persia, 380-383, Sasanian Emperor, Ardashir II, brother, appointed to rule till Saphor III Persian Sasanian Emperor, 309-379, Saphor II the Great, Bishapur ; Kerman, Persia; Bishapur, Persia (Eslamabad); Sapor II (310-331), Sasanian Persian Empire ; Martyr Heliodorus of Persia, Commemorated August 20 ; Martyrs Heliodorus and Dosa suffered for Christ in Persia under the emperor Sapor II, in the year 380.

Persia, 399-438, Persian Court of emperors Izdegerd (399-420) and Barakhranes (420-438)
Court of emperors Izdegerd (399-420) and Barakhranes (420-438) in Ctesiphon, Persia; Ctesiphon; Virginmartyr Syra of Persia, Commemorated on August 24; Martyr Abdias (Abidas) of Persia, Commemorated on September 5 ; Greatmartyr Artemius at Antioch. Commemorated October 20 ; Greatmartyr James the Persian, Commemorated on November 27; Greatmartyr James the Persian, Commemorated on November 27; Royal Martyr Mirdat, King of Kartli, Commemorated on July 8 ;

Persia, 399-420, Persian Sasanian Emperor, Izdegerd I, friend to Jews and Christians, Zoros Nobles killed him
Persian Sasanian Emperor, 399-420, Izdegerd I ; Bishapur, Persia (Eslamabad); Martyr Abdias (Abidas) of Persia, Commemorated on September 5 ; Greatmartyr James the Persian, Commemorated on November 27; St Maruthas the Bishop of Martyropolis in Mesopotamia, Commemorated on February 16; Hieromartyr Audas the Bishop of Persia, Commemorated on March 31; Hieromartyr Audas the Bishop of Persia, Commemorated on March 31; Royal Martyr Mirdat, King of Kartli, Commemorated on July 8 ;

Persia, 399-420, James the Persian, emperors court position, idol sacrifice, repented, confessed, torture, thanksgiving, behead
Persia, 399-420, Bushehr, position in court of the emperors, offered idol sacrifice, repented, discovered, confessed, prolonged torture, fingers and toes, arms and legs, one by oone, thanksgiving prayers, finally beheaded; Bushehr, Persia; Greatmartyr James the Persian, Commemorated on November 27; Holy Great Martyr James the Persian (the Sawn-Asunder) was born in the fourth century into a pious Christian family, both wealthy and illustrious. His wife was also a Christian, and the couple raised their children in piety, inspiring in them a love for prayer and the Holy Scriptures. occupied a high position at the court of the Persian emperor Izdegerd (399-420) and his successor Barakhranes (420-438). But on one of the military campaigns James, seduced by the emperor’s beneficence, was afraid to acknowledge himself a Christian, and so he offered sacrifice to idols with the emperor. of this, James’ mother and wife wrote him a letter, in which they rebuked him and urged him to repent. Receiving the letter, James realized the gravity of his sin. Faced with the horror of being cut off not only from his family, but also from God Himself, he began to weep loudly, imploring the Lord for forgiveness. fellow-soldiers, hearing him pray to the Lord Jesus Christ, reported this to the emperor. Under interrogation, Saint James bravely confessed his faith in the one True God. No amount of urging by the emperor could make him renounce Christ. The emperor then ordered the saint to be put to death. began to cut off his fingers and his toes one by one, then his hands and his feet, and then his arms and legs. During the prolonged torture Saint James offered prayers of thanksgiving to the Lord, Who had granted him the possibility of redemption from his sins by enduring these terrible torments. Finally, the martyr was beheaded. Christians gathered up the pieces of his body and buried them with great reverence. Hieromartyr Audas the Bishop of Persia, Commemorated on March 31;

Persia, 400, 5th Century Folder, Sasanian Empire, Sapor IV

Persia, 418-420, Sapor IV, King of Persian Armenia, Sasanian
Persian Emperor, 420, Sapor IV, Sasanian; IV, was king of Persian Armenia from 415 to 420, who briefly ruled the Sasanian Empire in 420. IV was the son of Yazdegerd I and Shushandukht, and had two brothers named Bahram V and Narse. At the death of the Arsacid Armenian king Khosrov IV, Yazdegerd I decided to give the royal crown of Armenia to his eldest son Shapur IV, instead of giving it to Khosrov's nephew, Artaxias IV. During Shapur's reign in Armenia, he concentrated on reconciliation and established friendly relations with the nobles. He made every effort to convert the Christian Armenians to Zoroastrianism, but was largely unsuccessful.[1] 420, Yazdegerd I was murdered by the Sasanian nobles at Hyrcania,[2] which made Shapur quickly leave Armenia and arrive at Ctesiphon to claim the Sasanian throne. However, he only managed to reign during a short time, until he was murdered by the nobles and the clergy, who sought to expel all the sons of Yazdegerd I.[3] After the murder of Shapur, the nobles elected another Sasanian prince, Khosrau, the son of Bahram IV, as king of the Sasanian Empire. Greatmartyr James the Persian, Commemorated on November 27; St Maruthas the Bishop of Martyropolis in Mesopotamia, Commemorated on February 16; St Maruthas the Bishop of Martyropolis in Mesopotamia, Commemorated on February 16; Royal Martyr Mirdat, King of Kartli, Commemorated on July 8 ;

Persia, 420-438, Bahram V, Emperor, Barakhranes, raised by eastern Arabs, Lakhmid kings
Persian Emperor, 420-438, Bahram V; Greatmartyr James the Persian, Commemorated on November 27; Royal Martyr Mirdat, King of Kartli, Commemorated on July 8 ;

Persia, 438, Ignatius relics transfer, back to Rome from Syria because Persia took Antioch
Syria, 108, 438, 540 or 637, Ignatius relics transfer, Rome tAntioch, Syria (Orontes River 7), Trajan had him thrown to the lions in 107, Christians gathered his bons at Rome, 108 his relics buried at Gate oDaphne, Antioch, 43i8 transferred tRome because Persians captured A, 540 placed Clement's church Rome, or 637, Ignatius introduced antiphonal singing, he left 7 arcpastoral epistles with instructions faith, love, good works, he also urged preservation unity otFaith, beware heretics, hono&obey bishops, regard as Lord himself, example letter to Polycarp, listen to your bishop ifyou want God to listen to you; Translation of the relics of the Hieromartyr Ignatius, the Godbearer and Bishop of Antioch ; Transfer of the Relics of the Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-Bearer: (See December 20). the holy hieromartyr Ignatius was thrown to the lions in the year 107 on the orders of the emperor Trajan, gathered up his bones and preserved them at Rome. in the year 108, the saint’s relics were collected and buried outside the gate of Daphne at Antioch. second transfer, to the city of Antioch itself, took place in the year 438. the capture of Antioch by the Persians, the relics of the Hieromartyr Ignatius were returned to Rome and placed into the church of the holy Hieromartyr Clement in the year 540 (in 637, according to other sources). Ignatius introduced antiphonal singing into Church services. has left us seven archpastoral epistles in which he provided instructions on faith, love and good works. also urged his flock to preserve the unity of the faith and to beware of heretics. He encouraged people to honor and obey their bishops, “We should regard the bishop as we would the Lord Himself.” (To the Ephesians 6) his Letter to Polycarp, Saint Ignatius writes: “Listen to the bishop, if you want God to listen to you... let your baptism be your shield, your faith a helmet, your charity a spear, your patience, like full armor.” (Compare Eph. 6:14-17 and the Wisdom of Solomon 5:17-20. Also The Ladder 4:2)

Persia, 457-459, Hormizd III, Emperor, killed by younger brother Peroz
Persian Emperor, 457-459, Hormizd III, Sasanian; III ( was the seventeenth king (shah) of the Sasanian Empire, ruling briefly from 457 to 459. He was the son and successor of Yazdegerd II (r. 438-457). reign was marked by the rebellion of his younger brother Peroz I, who with the aid of one of the Seven Great Houses of Iran, the House of Mihran, and the eastern neighbours of the Sasanians, the Hephthalites, had him captured and executed. Martyr Razhden of Persia the Georgian, Commemorated on August 3; Martyr Anthony of Apamea, Commemorated on November 9;

Persia, 450 5th Century, Martyr Benjamin the Deacon, Converted many to Christianity
Persia, 450, Martyr Benjamin the Deacon; Martyr Benjamin the Deacon of Persia, Commemorated on October 13; Martyr Benjamin the Deacon of Persia converted many pagan Persians to Christianity, and for his zeal and evangelic preaching he suffered in Persia during the fifth century.

Persia, 459-494, Peroz I, Emperor, Sasanian, killed brother, war, famine, foolish war w allies, Nestorian
Persia, 459-494, Emperor, Peroz I, Sasanian ; I was the Sasanian King of Kings (shahanshah) of Iran from 459 to 484. A son of Yazdegerd II (r. 438-457), he disputed the rule of his elder brother and incumbent king Hormizd III (r. 457-459), eventually seizing the throne after a two-year struggle. reign was marked by war and famine. Early in his reign, he successfully quelled a rebellion in Caucasian Albania in the west, and put an end to the Kidarites in the east, briefly expanding Sasanian rule into Tokharistan, where he issued gold coins with his likeness at Balkh. Simultaneously, Iran was suffering from a seven-year famine. soon clashed with the former subjects of the Kidarites, the Hephthalites, who possibly had previously helped him to gain his throne. He was defeated and captured twice by the Hephthalites and lost his recently acquired possessions. 482, revolts broke out in the western provinces of Armenia and Iberia, led by Vahan Mamikonian and Vakhtang I respectively. Peroz could quell the unrest there, he was defeated and killed in his third war with the Hephthalites in 484, who seized the main Sasanian cities of the eastern region of Khorasan-Nishapur, Herat and Marw. advantage of the weakened Sasanian authority in the east, the Nezak Huns subsequently seized the region of Zabulistan. was the last shahanshah to mint unique gold coins in the Indian region of Sindh, which indicates that the region was lost around the same period. a devout Zoroastrian, Peroz supported the newly established Christian sect of Nestorianism, and just before his death, it was declared the official doctrine of the Iranian church. wars against the Hephthalites have been described as "foolhardy" in both contemporary and modern historiography. defeat and death introduced a period of political, social and religious tumult. The empire reached its lowest ebb; the shahanshah was now a client of the Hephthalites and was compelled to pay tribute, while the nobility and clergy exerted great influence and authority over the nation, being able to act as king-makers. magnates—most notably Sukhra and Shapur Mihran—elected Peroz's brother, Balash, as the new shahanshah. Order would first be restored under Peroz's son Kavad I (r. 488-496, 498/9-531), who reformed the empire and defeated the Hephthalites, reconquering Khorasan. By 560, Peroz had been avenged by his grandson Khosrow I (r. 531-579), who in collaboration with the First Turkic Khaganate, destroyed the Hephthalites. Martyr Razhden of Persia the Georgian, Commemorated on August 3; Martyr Susanna the Queen of Georgia, Commemorated on August 28; St Vakhtang Gorgasali, King of Georgia, Commemorated on November 30;

Persia, 470-482, Varsken, Viceroy, Christian, then fire worshiper, Shushanik's husband, killed by Vakhtang
Persian Viceroy, 470-482, Varsken, Sasanian, Zoroastrian fire worshiper; (Middle Persian: VazgÄ“n) was an Iranian prince from the Mihranid family of Gugark, who served as the bidaxsh (margrave) of the region from 470 to 482. He was the son and successor of Arshusha II. the death of his father, Varsken went to the Sasanian capital of Ctesiphon and was received by the shahanshah Peroz I (r. 459-484), converting to the family's former religion, Zoroastrianism. As a reward for his conversion, he was given the viceroyalty of Caucasian Albania and a daughter of Peroz in marriage. his pro-Iranian position, Varsken attempted to force his family to convert to Zoroastrianism, including his first wife Shushanik, which eventually resulted in her martyrdom, dying from the violence inflicted by her husband. policies were unacceptable to the Iberian king Vakhtang I (r. 447/49-502/22), who had him killed and then revolted against Iran in 482. Varsken was succeeded by Arshusha III. Martyr Susanna the Queen of Georgia, Commemorated on August 28;

Persia, 488-531, Kavadh I, Emperor, Successful, Chosroes Father, BEwar&peace
Persian Sasanian Emperor, 488-531, Kavadh I ; I (473 - 13 September 531) was the Sasanian King of Kings of Iran from 488 to 531, with a two or three-year interruption. A son of Peroz I (r. 459-484), he was crowned by the nobles to replace his deposed and unpopular uncle Balash (r. 484-488). a declining empire where the authority and status of the Sasanian kings had largely ended, Kavad tried to reorganize his empire by introducing many reforms whose implementation was completed by his son and successor Khosrow I. They were made possible by Kavad's use of the Mazdakite preacher Mazdak leading to a social revolution that weakened the authority of the nobility and the clergy. Because of this, and the execution of the powerful king-maker Sukhra, Kavad was imprisoned in the Castle of Oblivion ending his reign. He was replaced by his brother Jamasp. However, with the aid of his sister and an officer named Siyawush, Kavad and some of his followers fled east to the territory of the Hephthalite king who provided him with an army. This enabled Kavad to restore himself to the throne in 498/9. by this hiatus, Kavad applied for subsidies from the Byzantine emperor Anastasius I. The Byzantines had originally paid the Iranians voluntarily to maintain the defense of the Caucasus against attacks from the north. refused the subsidies, which led Kavad to invade his domains, thus starting the Anastasian War. Kavad first seized Theodosiopolis and Martyropolis respectively, and then Amida after holding the city under siege for three months. two empires made peace in 506, with the Byzantines agreeing to pay subsidies to Kavad for the maintenance of the fortifications on the Caucasus in return for Amida. Around this time, Kavad also fought a lengthy war against his former allies, the Hephthalites; by 513 he had re-taken the region of Khorasan from them. 528, war between the Sasanians and Byzantines erupted again, because of the Byzantines refusal to acknowledge Khosrow as Kavad's heir, and a dispute over Lazica. Although Kavad's forces suffered two notable losses at Dara and Satala, the war was largely indecisive, with both sides suffering heavy losses. 531, while the Iranian army was besieging Martyropolis, Kavad died from an illness. He was succeeded by Khosrow I, who inherited a reinvigorated and mighty empire that equaled that of the Byzantines. of the many challenges and issues Kavad successfully overcame, he is considered one of the most effective and successful kings to rule the Sasanian Empire. In the words of the Iranologist Nikolaus Schindel, he was "a genius in his own right, even if of a somewhat Machiavellian type."[1] Hierarch Peter, First Catholicos of Georgia, Commemorated on November 30; St Vakhtang Gorgasali, King of Georgia, Commemorated on November 30;

Persia, 500, 6th Century Folder, Sasanian E Failing, Chosroes 1 war with Byzantium after Antioch Earthquake

Persia, 502, War with Georgia, Vakhtang I killed, 7ft10in
Georgia, 502, War with Iran, Vakhtang I killed; Peter accompanied Holy King Vakhtang Gorgasali to war with the Persians in 502. It is written that œthe fatally wounded king Vakhtang summoned the catholicos, the queen, his sons and all the nobility.Saint Peter heard the king'™s last confession, granted the remission of his sins, presided at his funeral service, and blessed the prince Dachi (502-514) to succeed him as king of Kartli. with Iran[edit] of Ujarma, once an Iberian stronghold under Vakhtang espousing pro-Roman policy, Vakhtang further alienated his nobles, who sought Iranian support against the king's encroachments on their autonomy. In 482, Vakhtang put to death his most influential vassal, Varsken, vitaxa of Gogarene, a convert to Zoroastrianism and a champion of Iran's influence in the Caucasus, who had executed his Christian wife, Shushanik, daughter of the Armenian Mamikonid prince Vardan II and a hero of the earliest surviving piece of Georgian literature. By this act, Vakhtang placed himself in open confrontation with his Iranian suzerain. Vakhtang called on the Armenian princes and the Huns for co-operation. After some hesitation, the Armenians under Vardan's nephew Vahan Mamikonian, joined forces with Vakhtang. The allies were routed and Iberia was ravaged by Iranian punitive expeditions in 483 and 484, forcing Vakhtang into flight to Roman-controlled Lazica (modern western Georgia). After Peroz's death in the war with the Hephthalites in 484, his successor Balash reestablished peace in the Caucasus. Vakhtang was able to resume his reign in Iberia, but did not betray his pro-Roman line.[9][10] the Hundred Years Peace between Iran and Rome collapsed, Kavadh I of the Sassanids summoned Vakhtang as a vassal to join in a new campaign against Rome. Vakhtang refused, provoking an Iranian invasion of his kingdom. Then about 60, he had to spend the last years of his life in war and exile, fruitlessly appealing for the Roman aid. The chronology of this period is confused, but by 518 an Iranian viceroy had been installed at the Iberian town of Tiflis, founded (”according to Georgian tradition)”by Vakhtang and designated as the country's future capital. According to the LVG, Vakhtang died fighting an Iranian invading army at the hands of his renegade slave who shot him through an armpit defect of his armor. The wounded king was transported to his castle at Ujarma where he died and was interred at the cathedral in Mtskheta. Javakhishvili puts Vakhtang's death at c. 502. Georgia, 449-502, Georgian King, Vakhtang I of Iberia; Hierarch Peter, First Catholicos of Georgia, Commemorated on November 30; St Vakhtang Gorgasali, King of Georgia, Commemorated on November 30;

Persia, 531-579, Chosroes I the Elder, Emperor, allied with Italian Ostrogoths, violated peace
Persian Sasanian Emperor, 531-579, Chosroes I the Elder; Martyr Golinduc, in Holy Baptism Mary, of Persia, Commemorated on July 12; Martyr Eustathius of Mtskheta in Georgia, Commemorated on July 29; Virginmartyr Syra of Persia, Commemorated on August 24; Translation of the Image Â of our Lord Jesus Christ from Edessa to Constantinople, the Third "œFeast of the Savior in August"Â, Commemorated on August 16; Return of the Relics of the Apostle Bartholomew from Anastasiopolis to Lipari, Commemorated August 25 : By the power of God the chests did not sink into the depths of the sea, but miraculously floated upon the waves and reached Italy. The chest with the relics of the Apostle Bartholomew came to land at the island of Lipari, and the remaining chests continued their journey and came to land at various places in Italy. The chest with the relics of the Martyr Papian halted at Sicily, the Martyr Lucian at Messina, the Martyr Gregory at Calabria, and the Martyr Acacius at Askalon. ; Hieromartyr Abibus, Bishop of Nekressi in Georgia, Commemorated on November 29; Translation of the relics of the Hieromartyr Ignatius, the Godbearer and Bishop of Antioch, Commemorated on January 29;

Persia, 540's, Abibus, Nekressi Bishop, of 13 Fathers, Dagestani's also, watered fire god, Jesus sign, incorrupt r
Georgia, 540's, Abibus, Bishop of Nekressi , Georgia (Alazani River 2), of t 13 Armenian Fathers, converted Dagestani's also, Persian rule, fire altars everywhere, water on the fire, Stylite Simeon sign from Jesus, strengthened, declined escape, shattered skull, wild beasts, body guard, but Christian burial, incorrupt relics, relic miracles; Nekressi ; Hieromartyr Abibus, Bishop of Nekressi in Georgia, Commemorated on November 29 ; Abibus of Nekresi was one of the Thirteen Syrian Fathers who arrived in Georgia in the 6th century under the leadership of Saint John of Zedazeni. the blessing of his instructor, Saint Abibus began his apostolic activity in Nekresi, a village set among the hills in the eastern region of Kakheti. his virtuous deeds, Saint Abibus was soon consecrated bishop of his diocese. to the chronicle Life of Kartli, Saint Abibus converted not only Georgians but also most of the mountain tribes—including the Dagestani/Didoians—to the Christian Faith. with apostolic zeal, Saint Abibus journeyed throughout the villages of his diocese, preaching the Truth and calling upon all to strengthen the true Faith. time that Saint Abibus was serving as bishop coincided with a dark period of Persian rule in eastern Georgia. Persians exerted every effort to implant their faith—the worship of fire—and everywhere erected altars where the fire burned without ceasing. in the village of Rekhi the holy hierarch, finding a group of fire-worshipers forcing the Georgian faithful to worship the flame, poured water on their fire to extinguish it. enraged pagan priests bound Saint Abibus, beat him cruelly, locked him up, and reported the incident to the marzban. The marzban ordered that the bishop be brought to him at once. Abibus was a friend of the holy wonderworker Simeon the Stylite of the Wonderful Mountain. Simeon received a sign from God of the imminent martyrdom of Saint Abibus and, in order to console him, sent him a letter, an evlogia (a blessing—probably a piece of prosphoron or some other holy object) and a staff. Abibus was being escorted to the marzban, in the village of Ialdo he met a messenger from Antioch who presented him with Saint Simeon’s gifts. letter and gifts gladdened the holy hierarch and strengthened him for his martyrdom. Saint Abibus was approached by a group of Christians who offered to help him escape, but he graciously declined. arrived in Mtskheta, the saint prayed at Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, requested that the guards permit him to meet with Saint Shio of Mgvime. Persians granted his request, and the spiritual brothers greeted one another with love and prayed together to the Lord. Abibus was brought before the dread marzban and asked how he could dare raise his hand against the Persian god. replied with complete composure, saying, “I did not kill any god; rather I extinguished a fire. Fire is not a god, but a part of nature, which is created by God. Your fire was burning wood, and a little water was enough to extinguish it. The water turned out to be stronger. Your fury amazes me. Isn’t it humiliating to call something a god which has no soul?” at this response, the marzban ordered the holy hierarch’s execution. executioners mercilessly beat the blessed Abibus and shattered his skull with stones. Then they dragged his body through the city, cast it to the beasts, and assigned a guard to ensure that the Christians did not come to steal it. that night the priests and monks of Rekhi came, took the body of the holy martyr, and buried it with great honor at Samtavisi Monastery (located midway between Mtskheta and Gori). miraculous healings have taken place over the grave of Saint Abibus. the rule of Prince Stepanoz of Kartli, the incorrupt relics of Saint Abibus were translated from Samtavisi to Samtavro Monastery in Mtskheta, according to the decree of Catholicos Tabori. They were buried under the holy altar at Samtavro Church.

Persia, 540-562, Chosroes I war with Byzantine Empire after Antioch Earthquake, bathed in Med
Persia, 540-562, Chosroes I war with Byzantine Empire after Antioch Earthquake; Translation of the relics of the Hieromartyr Ignatius, the Godbearer and Bishop of Antioch, Commemorated on January 29;

Persia, 550 6th Century, St Isaac the Syrian the Bishop of Nineveh, If no submit to Gospel commandments, then what can I do
Persia, 550 6th Century, St Isaac the Syrian the Bishop of Nineveh (Mosul), Assyria, Persia (Tigris River 4), give debtor more time, Leave your Gospel out of this! Saint Isaac replied, If you will not submit to Lord’s commandments in the Gospel, then what remains for me to do here?; Nineveh; St Isaac the Syrian the Bishop of Nineveh, Commemorated on January 28 ; Isaac the Syrian, Bishop of Ninevah, lived during the sixth century. and his brother entered the monastery of Mar Matthew near Ninevah and received the monastic tonsure. His learning, virtue, and ascetic manner of life attracted the notice of the brethren, and they proposed that he head the monastery. Saint Issac did not want this burden, preferring a life of silence, so he left the monastery to live alone in the desert. brother urged him more than once to return to the monastery, but he would not agree. However, when the fame of Saint Isaac’s holy life had spread, he was made Bishop of Ninevah. the crude manners and disobedience of the inhabitants of the city, the saint felt that it was beyond his ability to guide them, and moreover, he yearned for solitude. two Christians came to him, asking him to settle a dispute. One man acknowledged that he owed money to the other, but asked for a short extension. The lender threatened to bring his debtor to court to force him to pay. Isaac, citing the Gospel, asked him to be merciful and give the debtor more time to pay. The man said, “Leave your Gospel out of this!” Saint Isaac replied, “If you will not submit to Lord’s commandments in the Gospel, then what remains for me to do here?” only five months as bishop, Saint Isaac resigned his office and went into the mountains to live with the hermits. Later, he went to the monastery of Rabban Shabur, where he lived until his death, attaining a high degree of spiritual perfection. the early eighth century until the beginning of the eighteenth century, nothing was known about Saint Isaac of Syria in Europe except for his name and works. Only in 1719 was a biography of the saint published at Rome, compiled by an anonymous Arab author. In 1896, more information on Saint Isaac came to light. The learned French soteriologist Abbot Chabot published some eighth century works on Syrian history by Iezudena, bishop of Barsa, where the account of Saint Isaac the Syrian was found.

Persia, 550 6th Century, 9 Martyred brothers of Kola, pagans no Church until baptism, 9 p children b, then stoned by parents
Georgia, 550 6th Century, 9 Martyred brothers of Kola, (Kura River Source) pagans not allowed in Church until baptism, 9 p children baptized, then stoned by their parents ; Kola; 9 Martyred brothers of Kola, Commemorated February 21 ; centuries ago, the village of Kola was located at the source of the Mtkvari River. There Christians and pagans dwelt together as neighbors. Christian and pagan children would play together, but when the Christian children heard church bells ringing, they recognized the call to prayer and dropped their games. pagan children—Guram, Adarnerse, Baqar, Vache, Bardzim, Dachi, Juansher, Ramaz, and Parsman—would follow the Christian children to church. the Christians always stopped them near the gates of the church and reprimanded them, saying, “You are children of pagans. You cannot enter God’s holy house.” They would return sorry and dejected. day the nine pagan children tried to enter the church forcibly, but they were cast out and scolded. “If you want to enter the church, you must believe in our Lord Jesus Christ and be baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” they were told. “You must receive Holy Communion and join the community of Christian believers.” great joy the youths promised the Christians that they would receive Holy Baptism. When the Christians of Kola related to their priest the good news of the pagan boys’ desire, he recalled the words of the Gospel: He that loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me: and he that loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he that takes not his cross, and follows after Me, is not worthy of Me. (Matt. 10:37-38). was not afraid of the anger that would follow from the pagan community, but rather took the boys on a cold winter night and baptized them in the icy river. A miracle occurred while the Holy Sacrament was being celebrated: the water became warm and angelic hosts appeared to the youths. Greatly encouraged in their faith, the children decided to remain in the Christian community rather than return to their parents. their parents learned that they had been baptized in the Christian Faith, they dragged their children away from the church, abusing and beating them into submission all the way home. The heroic children endured the abuses and, though they went hungry and thirsty for seven days, repeated again and again, “We are Christians and will not eat or drink anything that was prepared for idols!” gentle flattery, nor costly clothing, nor promises of good things to come could tempt the God-fearing youths. Rather they asserted, “We are Christians and want nothing from you but to leave us alone and allow us to join the Christian community!” enraged parents went and reported to the prince everything that had happened. But the prince was of no help—he simply told them, “They are your children, do with them as you wish.” obstinate pagans asked the prince permission to stone the children. So a large pit was dug where the youths had been baptized, and the children were thrown inside. “We are Christians, and we will die for Him into Whom we have been baptized!” proclaimed the holy martyrs, the Nine Children of Kola, before offering up their souls to God. godless parents took up stones, and then others joined in, until the entire pit had been filled. They beat the priest to death, robbed him, and divided the spoils among themselves. martyric contest of the Nine Righteous Children of Kola occurred in the 6th century, in the historical region of Tao in southern Georgia.

Persia, 557-634, Modestus, Archbishop, his story important tTie history of Cross, Persian, Byzantine, & Arab control oJ
Armenia, 557-634, Modestus, Archbishop oJerusalem, fSebaste, Armenia (Iris River Source, Kizilirmak River 1), his story important for history, tonsured Mt Sinai, Superior Theodosios tG m Judea, Locum tenens Gov Jerusalem Church 614, because Persians devastated Jerusalem, took The Cross, 90,000 C's killed, Patriarch Zacharias captured, M restored C shrines, incl Lord's tomb, buried Sava's monks, Z returned wCross 630, M permanent partiarch aZ, M dies a97yr old; Sebaste, Armenia ; St Modestus the Archbishop of Jerusalem, Commemorated December 18 ; Modestos (Módestos) was born into a Christian family at Sebásteia in Cappadocia (Asia Minor). toward a strict monastic life from his youth, the Saint was tonsured on Mount Sinai. he became the Superior of the Monastery of Saint Theodosios the Great in Palestine. the year 614, Syria and Palestine were attacked by the the army of the Persian king Chosroes. Christians were killed, and many Christian churches were destroyed. Zachariah of Jerusalem and a multitude of Christians were taken into captivity, with the Cross of the Lord. Modestos was appointed to govern the Jerusalem Church temporarily as locum tenens of the patriarchal kathedra. the help of Patriarch John the Merciful of Alexandria (November 12), Saint Modestos restored the devastated Christian shrines, which was the Lord's Tomb. also buried the murdered monks from the Monastery of Saint Savva the Sanctified. fourteen years, Patriarch Zacharias returned from captivity with the Lord's Cross, after his death, Saint Modestos became the Patriarch of Jerusalem. Modestos reposed at the age of 97 in the year 634. head of Saint Modestós is located in the Athonite Monastery of Simonopetra.

Persia, 579-590, Hormizd IV, Sasanian Emperor, constant warfare west and east
Persian Sasanian Emperor, 579-590, Hormizd IV ; Hieromartyr Abibus, Bishop of Nekressi in Georgia, Commemorated on November 29;

Persia, 590-628, Chosroes II home, Ctesiphon - last King of Sasanian Empire
Chosroes home, Ctesiphon 590-628 - last King of Sasanian Empire Persia, In the year 614 military forces of the Persian ruler Chosroes fell upon Syria and Palestine, killing ninety thousand Christians and destroying Christian churches; Martyr Golinduc, in Holy Baptism Mary, of Persia, Commemorated on July 12; St John the Merciful, Patriarch of Alexandria, Commemorated on November 12 ; St Modestus the Archbishop of Jerusalem, Commemorated on December 18 ; Monkmartyr Anastasius the Persian, Commemorated on January 22 ; St Thomas the Patriarch of Constantinople, Commemorated on March 21;

Persia, 590-628, Khosrau (Chosroes) II, Sasanian Emperor, Cross in J, def by M, then a with M
Persian, Sasanian Emperor, 590-628, Khosrau (Chosroes) II; Greatmartyr Euphemia the All-praised, Commemorated on July 11 ; The Universal Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross, Commemorated on September 14; Greatmartyr Euphemia the All-praised, Commemorated on September 16 ; St John the Merciful, Patriarch of Alexandria, Commemorated on November 12 ; Hieromartyr Abibus, Bishop of Nekressi in Georgia, Commemorated on November 29; St Modestus the Archbishop of Jerusalem, Commemorated on December 18 ; St Dometian the Bishop of Melitene, Commemorated on January 10; Monkmartyr Anastasius the Persian, Commemorated on January 22; Translation of the relics of St Anastasius the Persian, Commemorated on January 24; St Sophronius the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Commemorated on March 11; St Thomas the Patriarch of Constantinople, Commemorated on March 21;

Persia, 600, 7th Century Folder, Sasanian Empire Ends, Jersulam ravaged, Cross carried to Persia

Persia, 602-628, Byzantine-Persian War of 602-628
Persia, 602-628, Byzantine-Persian War of 602-628 ; Persia, 614, ravaged Jerusalem, carried the Life-Creating Cross to Persia; Monkmartyr Anastasius the Persian, Commemorated on January 22; Battle of Nineveh (627); Byzantine Emperor Heraclius; Persian emperor Chosroes II; Greatmartyr Euphemia the All-praised, Commemorated on July 11 ; St John the Merciful, Patriarch of Alexandria, Commemorated on November 12; Monkmartyr Anastasius the Persian, Commemorated on January 22;

Persia, 614, Chosroes II ravaged Jerusalem, carried the Life-Creating Cross to Persia
Persia, 614, ravaged Jerusalem, carried the Life-Creating Cross to Persia; Byzantine-“Sasanian War of 602-“628; Monkmartyr Anastasius the Persian, Commemorated on January 22; Saint Zacharias, Patriarch of Jerusalem, Commemorated on February 21;

Persia, 614-622, Saint Anastasius of Persia, Stole the Cross, Became a Monk
Persia, 614-622, Saint Anastasius of Persia; Monkmartyr Anastasius the Persian, Commemorated January 22 ; Monk Martyr Anastasius the Persian was the son of a Persian sorcerer named Bavi. a pagan, he had the name Magundates and served in the armies of the Persian emperor Chozroes II, in 614 ravaged the city of Jerusalem and carried away the Life-Creating Cross of the Lord to Persia. miracles occurred from the Cross of the Lord, and the Persians were astonished. heart of young Magundates was inflamed with the desire to learn more about this sacred object. everyone about the Holy Cross, the youth learned that upon it the Lord Himself was crucified for the salvation of mankind. became acquainted with the truths of the Christian Faith in the city of Chalcedon, where the army of Chozroes was for a certain while. was baptized with the name Anastasius, and then became a monk and spent seven years in one of the Jerusalem monasteries, living an ascetical life. the Lives of the holy martyrs, Saint Anastasius was inspired with the desire to imitate them. mysterious dream, which he had on Great and Holy Saturday, the day before the Resurrection of Christ, urged him to do this. fallen asleep after his daily tasks, he beheld a radiant man giving him a golden chalice filled with wine, who said to him, “Take this and drink.” Draining the chalice, he felt an ineffable delight. Anastasius then realized that this vision was his call to martyrdom. went secretly from the monastery to Palestinian Caesarea. he was arrested for being a Christian, and was brought to trial. governor tried in every way to force Saint Anastasius to renounce Christ, threatening him with tortures and death, and promising him earthly honors and blessings. saint, however, remained unyielding. Then they subjected him to torture: they beat him with rods, they lacerated his knees, they hung him up by the hands and tied a heavy stone to his feet, they exhausted him with confinement, and then wore him down with heavy work in the stone quarry with other prisoners. the governor summoned Saint Anastasius and promised him his freedom if he would only say, “I am not a Christian.” holy martyr replied, “I will never deny my Lord before you or anyone else, neither openly nor even while asleep. No one can compel me to do this while I am in my right mind.” Then by order of the emperor Chozroes, Saint Anastasius was strangled, then beheaded. the death of Chozroes, the relics of the Monk Martyr Anastasius were transferred to Palestine, to the Anastasius monastery. Translation of the relics of St Anastasius the Persian, Commemorated on January 24; uncovering of the relics of Saint Anastasios of Persia (January 22) took place in 638, ten years after his martyrdom. are three traditions regarding his relics; According to the first, which is also accepted by the English historian Saint Bede (May 27), the relics were transferred to Rome during the reign of Emperor Flavius Heraclius Augustus (reigned 610-645) deposited in the Greek Monastery of the Three Fountains (“Tre Fontane”). The second tradition states that the transfer of the relics to Constantinople, also during the reign of Heraclius, took place during the time of Pope Theodore I, who may have been from Jerusalem, of Greek descent (see May 18). The third tradition indicates that the relics were transferred to Venice from Constantinople in 1204 the Doge Henry Dandolos removed them and placed them in the church of the Holy Trinity in Venice. the Saint’s holy relics are in the Roman Catholic Church of Saint Francis in Venice. survive in the form of a headless body, clothed in the garments of his time. Sophronios Eustratiadis of Leontopolis declares that a Roman bishop transported the relics to Caesarea in Palestine, later they were moved to Constantinople. head is in Rome, where it is still kept.

Persia, 622, Caesarea, Maritima, Where Anastacios sought martyrdom 7 or 8 years after he helped Chozroes steal The Cross
Caesarea, Palestine ; Monkmartyr Anastasius the Persian, Commemorated January 22 ; Monk Martyr Anastasius the Persian was the son of a Persian sorcerer named Bavi. a pagan, he had the name Magundates and served in the armies of the Persian emperor Chozroes II, in 614 ravaged the city of Jerusalem and carried away the Life-Creating Cross of the Lord to Persia. miracles occurred from the Cross of the Lord, and the Persians were astonished. heart of young Magundates was inflamed with the desire to learn more about this sacred object. everyone about the Holy Cross, the youth learned that upon it the Lord Himself was crucified for the salvation of mankind. became acquainted with the truths of the Christian Faith in the city of Chalcedon, where the army of Chozroes was for a certain while. was baptized with the name Anastasius, and then became a monk and spent seven years in one of the Jerusalem monasteries, living an ascetical life. the Lives of the holy martyrs, Saint Anastasius was inspired with the desire to imitate them. mysterious dream, which he had on Great and Holy Saturday, the day before the Resurrection of Christ, urged him to do this. fallen asleep after his daily tasks, he beheld a radiant man giving him a golden chalice filled with wine, who said to him, “Take this and drink.” Draining the chalice, he felt an ineffable delight. Anastasius then realized that this vision was his call to martyrdom. went secretly from the monastery to Palestinian Caesarea. he was arrested for being a Christian, and was brought to trial. governor tried in every way to force Saint Anastasius to renounce Christ, threatening him with tortures and death, and promising him earthly honors and blessings. saint, however, remained unyielding. Then they subjected him to torture: they beat him with rods, they lacerated his knees, they hung him up by the hands and tied a heavy stone to his feet, they exhausted him with confinement, and then wore him down with heavy work in the stone quarry with other prisoners. the governor summoned Saint Anastasius and promised him his freedom if he would only say, “I am not a Christian.” holy martyr replied, “I will never deny my Lord before you or anyone else, neither openly nor even while asleep. No one can compel me to do this while I am in my right mind.” Then by order of the emperor Chozroes, Saint Anastasius was strangled, then beheaded. the death of Chozroes, the relics of the Monk Martyr Anastasius were transferred to Palestine, to the Anastasius monastery. Translation of the relics of St Anastasius the Persian, Commemorated on January 24; uncovering of the relics of Saint Anastasios of Persia (January 22) took place in 638, ten years after his martyrdom. are three traditions regarding his relics; According to the first, which is also accepted by the English historian Saint Bede (May 27), the relics were transferred to Rome during the reign of Emperor Flavius Heraclius Augustus (reigned 610-645) deposited in the Greek Monastery of the Three Fountains (“Tre Fontane”). The second tradition states that the transfer of the relics to Constantinople, also during the reign of Heraclius, took place during the time of Pope Theodore I, who may have been from Jerusalem, of Greek descent (see May 18). The third tradition indicates that the relics were transferred to Venice from Constantinople in 1204 the Doge Henry Dandolos removed them and placed them in the church of the Holy Trinity in Venice. the Saint’s holy relics are in the Roman Catholic Church of Saint Francis in Venice. survive in the form of a headless body, clothed in the garments of his time. Sophronios Eustratiadis of Leontopolis declares that a Roman bishop transported the relics to Caesarea in Palestine, later they were moved to Constantinople. head is in Rome, where it is still kept.

Persia, 627, Battle of Nineveh, Byzantine Victory then Arab Caliphate, Cross Returned
Persia, 627, Battle of Nineveh, Byzantine Victory then Arab Caliphate; Byzantine Emperor Heraclius; Persian emperor Chosroes II; St John the Merciful, Patriarch of Alexandria, Commemorated on November 12 ;

Persia, 632-651, Sasanian Emperor, Yazdegerd III
Persian, Sasanian Emperor, 632-651, Yazdegerd III ; St Jesse, Bishop of Tsilkan in Georgia, Commemorated on December 2; Translation of the relics of St Anastasius the Persian, Commemorated on January 24;

Persia, 638, Anastasios Relics uncovered, 3 traditions, head iRome, body iConstantinople, Stole Cross, Became aMonk, sght martyr
Persia, 638, Anastasios tPersian's Relics uncovered, 3 tradotopms, now head in Rome, body in Constantinople, Stole tCross, Became a Monk, 1 Relics tRome under Flavius Heraclius 610-645, tGreek monastery Three Fountains, Tre Fontain. 2. transfer tConstantinople under Heraculus and Pope Theodore I, Greek fJerusalem, 3. relics trans tVenice fConstantinople in 1204, Doge Henry Dandolos, Church Holy Francis iVenice, headless body, later moved to Constantinople, his head isin Rome; Persia, 614-622, Saint Anastasius of Persia; Anastasius of Persia, also known by his native name Magundat, was a Zoroastrian soldier in the Sasanian army later became a convert to Christianity and was martyred in 628. was born in the city of Ray. He was the son of a magus named Bau. He had a brother whose name is unknown. was a cavalryman in the army of Khosrow II (r. 590–628) participated in the capture of the True Cross in Jerusalem, was carried to the Sasanian capital Ctesiphon. occasion prompted him to ask for information about the Christian religion. then experienced a conversion of faith, left the army, became a Christian, and afterwards a monk at the monastery of Saint Savvas (Mar Saba) in Jerusalem[dubious – discuss]. He was baptized by Modestus, receiving the Christian name Anastasius to honor the resurrection of Jesus Christ ("Anástasis" in Greek). seven years of monastic observance, he was moved by the Holy Ghost to go in quest of martyrdom and went to Caesarea, then subject to the Sasanians. he interrupted and ridiculed the Zoroastrian priests for their religion, was as a result arrested by the local marzban,[1] taken prisoner, cruelly tortured to make him abjure, and finally carried down near the Euphrates, to a place called Barsaloe (or Bethsaloe according to the Bollandists), where his tortures were continued while at the same time the highest honors in the service of King Khosrow II as a magus were promised him if he would renounce Christianity. after refusing to abjure, with seventy others, he was strangled to death and decapitated on January 22, 628. body, which was thrown to the dogs left untouched by them, carried from the place of his martyrdom to Palestine, then to Constantinople, and finally to Rome where the relics were venerated at the Tre Fontane Abbey. Passio [2] written in Greek was devoted to the saint. adapted Latin translation, possibly by Archbishop Theodore of Canterbury, was available to the Anglo-Saxon church historian Bede, who criticized the result and took it upon himself to 'improve' it. There are no surviving manuscripts of Bede's revision, though one did survive as late as the 15th century.[3] feast day is 22 January. Translation of the relics of St Anastasius the Persian, Commemorated on January 24; uncovering of the relics of Saint Anastasios of Persia (January 22) took place in 638, ten years after his martyrdom. are three traditions regarding his relics; According to the first, which is also accepted by the English historian Saint Bede (May 27), the relics were transferred to Rome during the reign of Emperor Flavius Heraclius Augustus (reigned 610-645) deposited in the Greek Monastery of the Three Fountains (“Tre Fontane”). The second tradition states that the transfer of the relics to Constantinople, also during the reign of Heraclius, took place during the time of Pope Theodore I, who may have been from Jerusalem, of Greek descent (see May 18). The third tradition indicates that the relics were transferred to Venice from Constantinople in 1204 the Doge Henry Dandolos removed them and placed them in the church of the Holy Trinity in Venice. the Saint’s holy relics are in the Roman Catholic Church of Saint Francis in Venice. survive in the form of a headless body, clothed in the garments of his time. Sophronios Eustratiadis of Leontopolis declares that a Roman bishop transported the relics to Caesarea in Palestine, later they were moved to Constantinople. head is in Rome, where it is still kept.

Persia, 650, Urbnisi, Martyr Neophytus of Urbin, Persian, Omar, vision St Shio w angels, converted, stoned
Georgia, 650, Urbnisi, Martyr Neophytus of Urbin; Urbnisi; Martyr Neophytus of Urbin, Georgia, Commemorated October 28 ; holy hieromartyr Neophytus of Urbnisi descended from a line of Persian fire-worshippers. the 7th century, by order of the Saracen emir Mumni, the military leader Ahmad attacked Georgia with an enormous army. After overrunning the central part of Shida (Inner) Kartli, Ahmad dispatched two of his commanders, Omar and Burul, to the capital city of Mtskheta. At the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers, across from the village of Tsikhedidi in the rocky Sarkineti region, the invaders discovered a group of caves and plotted to occupy them. They tried to cross the Mtkvari but were unable. suffered a setback, the enemies asked their captives what was located in those caves. They were told that this was the Shio-Mgvime Monastery, where dwelt God’s chosen, who had deprived themselves of every earthly blessing. at this reply, the commanders decided to pass this information on to Ahmad. Then, as though it were commonplace, Ahmad sent Omar to the monastery to ask the monks to pray for him and remember him at the grave of their abbot, Saint Shio. “Pray for me, O slaves of God, and accept these gifts of aloe and incense. Offer these as a sacrifice to your abbot,” he told them. the monastery caves, Omar sent a messenger to inform the monks that he was coming to them in peace and bearing gifts. Drawing near to the monastery gates, the commander saw an army of incorporeal hosts descending from the heavens and among them an elder, radiant with a great light. meek and modest behavior of the monks left a great impression on Omar. He soon understood that the strange armies he had seen on the steps of the monastery were angels of God and that the elder was Saint Shio of Mgvime, abbot of the monastery. He related his vision to the monks and vowed to return to them, receive the sacrament of Holy Baptism, be tonsured a monk, and remain there to join in their holy labors. Omar abandoned all his possessions, his military rank, and his wealth and was baptized in the Christian Faith at the Shio-Mgvime Monastery as he had promised. of his slaves were baptized with him as well. Omar received the new name Neophytus (Newly Planted / From the Greek word neophytos, which in I Tim. 3:6 refers to a new convert), and his slaves became Christodoulus (Christ’s Slave) and Christopher (Christ-bearer). to God’s will, Saint Neophytus was consecrated bishop of Urbnisi, and all were amazed at his wisdom and steadfastness. He was a true father to his flock: “He strengthened the weak, healed the sick, raised the fallen, cleansed the possessed, directed the lost and sought out those who were perishing, protecting them, and forbidding them to wander off again.” the enemy could not tolerate the native Persian’s apostolic activity, and he convinced the fire-worshippers to kill the Christian shepherd. So the unbelievers devised an ambush and attacked Neophytus’ isolated cell, then tied him up and began to mock, curse, and revile him. They knew that Saint Neophytus longed to become like the holy protomartyr Stephen, and they plotted to stone him to death. his time to depart this world had arrived, Saint Neophytus turned to his persecutors with a tender voice, saying, “Sweet is death to me, O unbelievers! Sweet it is to me. I desire to sunder the link between my mortal and immortal nature.... With my own blood I will confirm the Holy Church, which is founded upon the Precious Blood of the Son and Word of God, Whom I preach. May that which was foreordained for me by the Providence of God be fulfilled, for He has called me to His light from the depths of ungodliness!” furious pagans stoned the saint to death. With his last breath Holy Hieromartyr Neophytus cried out, “Lord Jesus Christ receive my soul!”

Persia, 632 - Present, History Folder, Muslim Persia

Persia, 632-661, History Folder, Rashdun Caliphate, Sunni and Shia, Ali the Shia

Persia, 634-644, Persian Sasanian Empire overthrown by Uamr 1, Rashidun Caliph, Sunni and Shia
Persia, 634-644, Persian Sasanian Empire overthrown by Uamr 1, Rashidun Caliph; St Sophronius the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Commemorated on March 11;

Persia, 638, Uncovering Anastasios' Relics, Ctesiphon, Persia (Tigris River 7, Near Bagdad) Sassanian Capitol
Persia, 638, Uncovering Anastasios' Relics, Ctesiphon, Persia (Tigris River 7, Near Bagdad) Sassanian Capitol, 10 yrs after his martyrdom, uncovered when transferred to Rome's Greek Monastery Tre Fountains. ; Ctesiphon; Uncovering of the relics of Saint Anastasios the Persian, Commemorated on January 24; uncovering of the relics of Saint Anastasios of Persia (January 22) took place in 638, ten years after his martyrdom. There are three traditions regarding his relics. to the first, which is also accepted by the English historian Saint Bede (May 27), the relics were transferred to Rome during the reign of Emperor Flavius Heraclius Augustus (reigned 610-645) and deposited in the Greek Monastery of the Three Fountains (“Tre Fontane”). second tradition states that the transfer of the relics to Constantinople, also during the reign of Heraclius, took place during the time of Pope Theodore I, who may have been from Jerusalem, and of Greek descent (see May 18). third tradition indicates that the relics were transferred to Venice from Constantinople in 1204 when the Doge Henry Dandolos removed them and placed them in the church of the Holy Trinity in Venice. the Saint’s holy relics are in the Roman Catholic Church of Saint Francis in Venice. They survive in the form of a headless body, clothed in the garments of his time. Sophronios Eustratiadis of Leontopolis declares that a Roman bishop transported the relics to Caesarea in Palestine, and later they were moved to Constantinople. His head is in Rome, where it is still kept.

Persia, 642-709, Arab Muslim Conquest of North Africa 642-709
Arab Muslim Conquest of North Africa 665; Muslim conquest of the Maghreb continued the century of rapid Muslim conquests following the death of Muhammad in 632 and into the Byzantine-controlled territories of Northern Africa. In a series of three stages, the conquest of the Maghreb commenced in 647 and concluded in 709 with the Byzantine Empire losing its last remaining strongholds to the then-Umayyad Caliphate under Caliph Muʿāwiya ibn Abī Sufyān. 642 AD, under Caliph Umar, Arab Muslim forces had laid control of Mesopotamia (638 AD), Syria (641 AD), Egypt (642 AD), and had invaded Armenia (642 AD), all territories previously split between the warring Byzantine and Sasanian empires, and were concluding their conquest of the Persian Empire with their defeat of the Persian army at the Battle of Nahāvand. It was at this point that Arab military expeditions into North African regions west of Egypt were first launched, continuing for years and furthering the spread of Islam. 644 at Medina, Umar was succeeded by Uthman, during whose twelve-year rule Armenia, Cyprus, and all of modern-day Iran, would be added to the expanding Rashidun Caliphate. With Afghanistan and North Africa being targets of major invasions and Muslim sea raids ranging from Rhodes to the southern coasts of the Iberian Peninsula, the Byzantine navy was defeated in the eastern Mediterranean. Battle of Nahavand;

Persia, 644-656, Rashidun Caliph, Uthman, 3rd Rashidun Caliph, Sunni and Shia
Arab Rashidun Caliph, 644-656, Uthman, 3rd Rashidun Caliph; ibn Affan, also spelled by the Turkish and Persian rendering Osman, was a second cousin, son-in-law and notable companion of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, as well as the third of the Rāshidun, or "Rightly Guided Caliphs". into a prominent Meccan clan, Banu Umayya of the Quraysh tribe, he played a major role in early Islamic history, and is known for having ordered the compilation of the standard version of the Quran.[6] Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab died in office aged 59/60 years, Uthman, aged 64/65 years, succeeded him and was the second-oldest to rule as Caliph. Uthman's leadership, the Islamic empire expanded into Fars (present-day Iran) in 650, and some areas of Khorāsān (present-day Afghanistan) in 651. The conquest of Armenia had begun by the 640s.[7] His reign also saw widespread protests and unrest that eventually led to armed revolt and his assassination. was married to Ruqayyah, and upon her death, married Umm Kulthum. Both his wives having been elder daughters of Muhammad and Khadija earned him the honorific title Dhū al-Nurayn ("The Possessor of Two Lights").[8] Thus, he was also brother-in-law of the fourth Rāshidun Caliph Ali whose own wife, Fātimah, was Muhammad's youngest daughter. Martyr Neophytus of Urbin, Georgia, Commemorated on October 28;

Persia, 650, Martyr Neophytus of Urbin, Persian, Omar, vision St Shio w angels, converted, stoned
Georgia, 650, Urbnisi, Martyr Neophytus of Urbin; Urbnisi; Martyr Neophytus of Urbin, Georgia, Commemorated October 28 ; holy hieromartyr Neophytus of Urbnisi descended from a line of Persian fire-worshippers. the 7th century, by order of the Saracen emir Mumni, the military leader Ahmad attacked Georgia with an enormous army. After overrunning the central part of Shida (Inner) Kartli, Ahmad dispatched two of his commanders, Omar and Burul, to the capital city of Mtskheta. At the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers, across from the village of Tsikhedidi in the rocky Sarkineti region, the invaders discovered a group of caves and plotted to occupy them. They tried to cross the Mtkvari but were unable. suffered a setback, the enemies asked their captives what was located in those caves. They were told that this was the Shio-Mgvime Monastery, where dwelt God’s chosen, who had deprived themselves of every earthly blessing. at this reply, the commanders decided to pass this information on to Ahmad. Then, as though it were commonplace, Ahmad sent Omar to the monastery to ask the monks to pray for him and remember him at the grave of their abbot, Saint Shio. “Pray for me, O slaves of God, and accept these gifts of aloe and incense. Offer these as a sacrifice to your abbot,” he told them. the monastery caves, Omar sent a messenger to inform the monks that he was coming to them in peace and bearing gifts. Drawing near to the monastery gates, the commander saw an army of incorporeal hosts descending from the heavens and among them an elder, radiant with a great light. meek and modest behavior of the monks left a great impression on Omar. He soon understood that the strange armies he had seen on the steps of the monastery were angels of God and that the elder was Saint Shio of Mgvime, abbot of the monastery. He related his vision to the monks and vowed to return to them, receive the sacrament of Holy Baptism, be tonsured a monk, and remain there to join in their holy labors. Omar abandoned all his possessions, his military rank, and his wealth and was baptized in the Christian Faith at the Shio-Mgvime Monastery as he had promised. of his slaves were baptized with him as well. Omar received the new name Neophytus (Newly Planted / From the Greek word neophytos, which in I Tim. 3:6 refers to a new convert), and his slaves became Christodoulus (Christ’s Slave) and Christopher (Christ-bearer). to God’s will, Saint Neophytus was consecrated bishop of Urbnisi, and all were amazed at his wisdom and steadfastness. He was a true father to his flock: “He strengthened the weak, healed the sick, raised the fallen, cleansed the possessed, directed the lost and sought out those who were perishing, protecting them, and forbidding them to wander off again.” the enemy could not tolerate the native Persian’s apostolic activity, and he convinced the fire-worshippers to kill the Christian shepherd. So the unbelievers devised an ambush and attacked Neophytus’ isolated cell, then tied him up and began to mock, curse, and revile him. They knew that Saint Neophytus longed to become like the holy protomartyr Stephen, and they plotted to stone him to death. his time to depart this world had arrived, Saint Neophytus turned to his persecutors with a tender voice, saying, “Sweet is death to me, O unbelievers! Sweet it is to me. I desire to sunder the link between my mortal and immortal nature.... With my own blood I will confirm the Holy Church, which is founded upon the Precious Blood of the Son and Word of God, Whom I preach. May that which was foreordained for me by the Providence of God be fulfilled, for He has called me to His light from the depths of ungodliness!” furious pagans stoned the saint to death. With his last breath Holy Hieromartyr Neophytus cried out, “Lord Jesus Christ receive my soul!”

Persia, 656-661, Rashidun Caliph, Ali, 4rd Rashidun Caliph, first civil wars, Shia
Persia, 656-661, Rashidun Caliph, Ali, 4rd Rashidun Caliph, Shia; ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib (c. 600 - c. 28 January 661)[2][1][3] was a cousin, son-in-law and companion of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. ruled as the fourth rightly guided caliph from 656 until his assassination in 661. is also one of the central figures in Shia Islam, being regarded as the rightful immediate successor to Muhammad and the first Imam by all branches of Shia Muslims.[1] is the son of Abu Talib and Fatimah bint Asad, the husband of Fatima, and the father of Hasan, Husayn and Zaynab.[2] a child, Muhammad took care of him. After Muhammad's invitation of his close relatives, Ali became one of the first believers in Islam at the age of about 9 to 11.[3] He then publicly accepted his invitation on Yawm al-Inzar[4] and Muhammad called him his brother, guardian and successor.[3] helped Muhammad emigrate on the night of Laylat al-Mabit, by sleeping in his place.[3] migrating to Medina and establishing a brotherhood pact between the Muslims, Muhammad chose him as his brother.[2] In Medina, he was the flag bearer in most of the wars and became famous for his bravery.[3] issue of his right in the post-Muhammad caliphate caused a major rift between Muslims and divided them into Shia and Sunni groups.[1] his return from the Farewell Pilgrimage, at Ghadir Khumm, Muhammad uttered the phrase, "Whoever I am his Mawla, this Ali is his Mawla." But the meaning of Mawla was disputed by Shias and Sunnis. On this basis, the Shias believe in the establishment of the Imamate and caliphate regarding Ali, and the Sunnis interpret the word as friendship and love.[1][5] Ali was preparing Muhammad's body for burial, a group of Muslims met at Saqifah and pledged allegiance to Abu Bakr.[6] Ali pledged allegiance to Abu Bakr, after six months, but did not take part in the wars[7] and political activity, except for the election of the third caliph. However, he advised the three caliphs whenever they wanted, in religious, judicial, and political matters.[1] Uthman was killed, he was elected as the next Caliph, which was coincided with the first civil wars between Muslims. faced two separate opposition forces: a group led by Aisha, Talha, and Zubayr in Mecca, who wanted to convene a council to determine the caliphate; and another group led by Mu'awiya in the Levant, who demanded revenge for Uthman's blood. defeated the first group in the Battle of the Camel; but in the end, Battle of Siffin with Mu'awiya was militarily ineffective, and led to an arbitration which ended politically against him. in the year 38 AH, he fought with the Kharijites - who considered Ali's acceptance of arbitration as heresy, and revolted against him - in Nahrawan and defeated them.[3] was eventually killed in the mosque of Kufa by the sword of one of the Kharijites, Ibn Muljam Moradi, and was buried outside the city of Kufa. Later his shrine and the city of Najaf were built around his tomb.[3] the impact of religious differences on Muslim historiography, sources agree that Ali strictly observed religious duties and avoided worldly possessions. writers accused him of lack of political skill and flexibility.[2] According to Wilferd Madelung, Ali did not want to involve himself in the game of political deception which although deprived him of success in life, but, in the eyes of his admirers, he became an example of the piety of the primary un-corrupted Islam, as well as the chivalry of pre-Islamic Arabia.[8] Several books are dedicated to the hadiths, sermons, and prayers narrated by him, the most famous of which is Nahj al-Balagha.

Persia, 661-750, History Folder, Umayyad Caliphate, Sunni, Bashdun Battle of Nahavand in Persia over Sasanians

Persia, 661-709, Arab Muslim Conquest of North Africa continued from 642-709
Arab Muslim Conquest of North Africa 665; Muslim conquest of the Maghreb continued the century of rapid Muslim conquests following the death of Muhammad in 632 and into the Byzantine-controlled territories of Northern Africa. In a series of three stages, the conquest of the Maghreb commenced in 647 and concluded in 709 with the Byzantine Empire losing its last remaining strongholds to the then-Umayyad Caliphate under Caliph Muʿāwiya ibn Abī Sufyān. 642 AD, under Caliph Umar, Arab Muslim forces had laid control of Mesopotamia (638 AD), Syria (641 AD), Egypt (642 AD), and had invaded Armenia (642 AD), all territories previously split between the warring Byzantine and Sasanian empires, and were concluding their conquest of the Persian Empire with their defeat of the Persian army at the Battle of Nahāvand. It was at this point that Arab military expeditions into North African regions west of Egypt were first launched, continuing for years and furthering the spread of Islam. 644 at Medina, Umar was succeeded by Uthman, during whose twelve-year rule Armenia, Cyprus, and all of modern-day Iran, would be added to the expanding Rashidun Caliphate. With Afghanistan and North Africa being targets of major invasions and Muslim sea raids ranging from Rhodes to the southern coasts of the Iberian Peninsula, the Byzantine navy was defeated in the eastern Mediterranean. Battle of Nahavand;

Persia, 665, Battle of Nahavand, Rashidun Arabs take North Africa
Persia, 665, Battle of Nahavand, Rashidun Arabs take North Africa; Arab Muslim Conquest of North Africa 665;

Persia, 665, Arab Muslim Conquest of North Africa 665
Arab Muslim Conquest of North Africa 665; Battle of Nahavand;

Persia, 722-792, Philaret tMerciful, rich man loved poor, giving all, always rewarded, wife&children eventually learn a90 yrs
Armenia, 722-792, Philaret tMerciful oAmnia, Paphlagonia, Armenia, Rich&Illustrious, but did not hoard wealth, famed for love oPoor, Ishmaelites (Arabs) attached, little left fHim but continued to give, rich wife Theoseba complained, jeers oChildren, he said riches hidden away enough 100 yrs wOut working, his gifts would multiply for recipient, knowing this man asks for calf, cow missed calf, wife complains, but P praises her and gives cow tMan, famine came so p took donkey to borrow 6bushels wheat, poor man asks for some wheat, P tells T give him 1bushel, T says give 4bushels to family, P gives man last 2bushels, T says give half the load, P given him 1 more bushel fHalf tLoad, T says give him the bag too, T says to spite me give him all, P givel all 6, man can't lift 6B so T tells P give him donkey, T &Children hungry, wept, Lord rewarded P friends gave him 40 bushels, T kept most, P gave his share, when eating P went to T&Children for food, T grumbled how long treasure hidden, Empress Irene seeking bride for her son, envoys in Amneia, P happy, T sad because not enough food, P tells T light fire decorate, Neighbors bring everything required, Envoys impressed, select granddaughter Maria, marries Constantine, became Emperess, Emperor C rewards P, P alms&feast fPoor, P&family serve poor aFeast, P orders servant fill 3 bags, 1Gold, 1Silver, 1 copper coins, reach in give as God wills, P refused fine clothes, no imperial rank, just call me grandfather oEmperess, 90 yrs knew death coming, tJudgement Monastery, gave gold, asked buried there, i10days, 10th day exhorted family love poor fSalvation, died 792, miracle after death, T restores monasteries churches a barbarian invasion; Amnia (probably here at the mouth of the Amnia River); Amnia River Region is on the Amnia River near the Battle of Amnia; Righteous Philaret the Merciful of Amnia in Asia Minor, Commemorated December 1 ; Philaret the Merciful, son of George and Anna, was raised in piety and the fear of God. lived during the eighth century in the village of Amnia in the Paphlagonian district of Asia Minor. wife, Theoseba, was from a rich and illustrious family, they had three children: a son John, and daughters Hypatia and Evanthia. was a rich and illustrious dignitary, he did not hoard his wealth. that many people suffered from poverty, he remembered the words of the Savior about the dread Last Judgment and about “these least ones” (Mt. 25:40); Apostle Paul’s reminder that we will take nothing with us from this world (1 Tim 6:7); the assertion of King David that the righteous would not be forsaken (Ps 36/37:25). whose name means “lover of virtue,” was famed for his love for the poor. day Ishmaelites [Arabs] attacked Paphlagonia, devastating the land and plundering the estate of Philaret. remained only two oxen, a donkey, a cow with her calf, some beehives, and the house. he also shared them with the poor. wife reproached him for being heartless and unconcerned for his own family. yet firmly he endured the reproaches of his wife and the jeers of his children. “I have hidden away riches and treasure,” he told his family, “so much that it would be enough for you to feed and clothe yourselves, even if you lived a hundred years without working.” saint’s gifts always brought good to the recipient. received anything from him found that the gift would multiply, and that person would become rich. this, a certain man came to Saint Philaret asking for a calf so that he could start a herd. cow missed its calf and began to bellow. Theoseba said to her husband, “You have no pity on us, you merciless man, but don’t you feel sorry for the cow? You have separated her from her calf.” saint praised his wife, and agreed that it was not right to separate the cow and the calf. he called the poor man to whom he had given the calf and told him to take the cow as well. year there was a famine, so Saint Philaret took the donkey and went to borrow six bushels of wheat from a friend of his. he returned home, a poor man asked him for a little wheat, so he told his wife to give the man a bushel. said, “First you must give a bushel to each of us in the family, then you can give away the rest as you choose.” then gave the man two bushels of wheat. Theoseba said sarcastically, “Give him half the load so you can share it.” saint measured out a third bushel and gave it to the man. Theoseba said, “Why don’t you give him the bag, too, so he can carry it?” gave him the bag. The exasperated wife said, “Just to spite me, why not give him all the wheat.” Saint Philaret did so. the man was unable to lift the six bushels of wheat, so Theoseba told her husband to give him the donkey so he could carry the wheat home. Blessing his wife, Philaret gave the donkey to the man, who went home rejoicing. and the children wept because they were hungry. Lord rewarded Philaret for his generosity: the last measure of wheat was given away, an old friend sent him forty bushels. kept most of the wheat for herself and the children, the saint gave away his share to the poor and had nothing left. his wife and children were eating, he would go to them and they gave him some food. grumbled saying, “How long are you going to keep that treasure of yours hidden? Take it out so we can buy food with it.” this time the Byzantine empress Irene (797-802) was seeking a bride for her son, the future emperor Constantine Porphyrogenitos (780-797). emissaries were sent throughout all the Empire to find a suitable girl, and the envoys came to Amneia. Philaret and Theoseba learned that these most illustrious guests were to visit their house, was very happy, but Theoseba was sad, for they did not have enough food. Philaret told his wife to light the fire and to decorate their home. neighbors, knowing that imperial envoys were expected, brought everything required for a rich feast. envoys were impressed by the saint’s daughters and granddaughters. Seeing their beauty, their deportment, their clothing, and their admirable qualities, the envoys agreed that Philaret’s granddaughter, Maria was exactly what they were looking for. Maria exceeded all her rivals in quality and modesty and indeed became Constantine’s wife, and the emperor rewarded Philaret. fame and riches returned to Philaret. just as before, this holy lover of the poor generously distributed alms and provided a feast for the poor. and his family served them at the meal. Everyone was astonished at his humility and said: “This is a man of God, a true disciple of Christ.” ordered a servant to take three bags and fill one with gold, one with silver, and one with copper coins. a beggar approached, Philaret ordered his servant to bring forth one of the bags, whichever God’s providence would ordain. he would reach into the bag and give to each person, as much as God willed. Philaret refused to wear fine clothes, nor would he accept any imperial rank. said it was enough for him to be called the grandfather of the Empress. saint reached ninety years of age and knew his end was approaching. went to the Rodolpheia (“The Judgment”) monastery in Constantinople. gave some gold to the Abbess and asked her to allow him to be buried there, saying that he would depart this life in ten days. returned home and became ill. On the tenth day he summoned his family, he exhorted them to imitate his love for the poor if they desired salvation. Then he fell asleep in the Lord. He died in the year 792 and was buried in the Rodolpheia Judgment monastery in Constantinople. appearance of a miracle after his death confirmed the sainthood of Righteous Philaret. they bore the body of the saint to the cemetery, a certain man, possessed by the devil, followed the funeral procession and tried to overturn the coffin. they reached the grave, the devil threw the man down on the ground and went out of him. other miracles and healings also took place at the grave of the saint. the death of the righteous Philaret, his wife Theoseba worked at restoring monasteries and churches devastated during a barbarian invasion.

Persia, 735-736, Umayyad Caliph, Marwan ibn Muhammad (Marwan the Deaf), fought all across Georgia East to West
Persia, 735-736, Umayyad Caliph, Marwan ibn Muhammad (Marwan the Deaf); ibn Muhammad's invasion of Georgia took place from 735 to 737. It was initiated by the Umayyad Caliphate. The goals of the campaign are disputed among historians. The Georgian historiography insists its main purpose was to finally break the stiff Georgian resistance against Arab rule,[1] however, the western historians such as Cyril Toumanoff,[2] and Ronald Suny,[3] view it as a general campaign directed at both the Byzantine Empire, who exerted dominion over Western Georgia, and the Khazars, whose repeated raids affected not only Iberia (Eastern Georgia) and the whole Caucasus, but had in 730 reached Arab lands all the way to Mosul. invasion[edit] invasion was led by Marwan ibn Muhammad, who later became the last Umayyad caliph Marwan II. He first campaigned in Kartli, after which he led his armies to the west and besieged the fortress of Anakopia, where Archil of Kakheti and his brother Mihr, who were assisted by Leon I of Abkhazia, were stationed. The Arabs failed to take the fortress and were forced to retreat. Fearing an onslaught, large numbers of Georgians fled to the mountainous regions. Marwan later invaded Samtskhe, encamped in Odzrkhe and led his forces against the princes of Argveti, Constantine and David, from whom, upon their capture, he demanded unconditional conversion to Islam, which both refused. He tortured and then killed them for their refusal. After that, Marwan took Tshkumi (modern Sukhumi) and Tsikhegoji and again turned to Anakopia. The Georgians fought fiercely and the Arabs were powerless to take the fortress, especially after heavy rains and floods began. The Arabs retreated with heavy losses. cruelty and ruthlessness was epitomized by the Georgians by naming him Murvan Qru ("Marwan the Deaf"). After his campaign, most major settlements were utterly ruined and people faced starvation. If Georgian historiography insists that Kartli was devastated by the invasion, Toumanoff, relying on local and Arab sources, claims that most of the damage in the Eastern part of the country was actually the result of the previous Khazar raids, and that the local Georgian prince, Guaram III of Iberia, actually sided with the Arabs in order to repeal them beyond the Caucasian range.[4] In any case, the Arab intervention gave them more power over Iberia than they had managed to attain in almost a century of previous conquests. They established the Emirate of Tbilisi to exert direct control over Iberia, even though the Principate of Iberia was not abolished, and local nobility retained most of their power. Because civil instability and foreign enemies were plaguing the caliphate, it was unable to launch another invasion and until 786 settled upon receiving irregular tributes from the Georgian local princes. Arab general Marwan the Deaf; ibn Muhammad ibn Marwan ibn al-Hakam (691 - 6 August 750), usually known simply as Marwan II, was the fourteenth and last caliph of the Umayyad Caliphate, ruling from 744 until he was killed in 750. of his reign was dominated by a civil war, and he was the last Umayyad ruler to rule the united Caliphate before the Abbasid Revolution toppled the Umayyad dynasty. and background[edit] ibn Muhammad was a member of the Marwanid household of the Umayyad Caliphate. His grandmother, named Zaynab. Marwan's father, Muhammad ibn Marwan, who was the son of the fourth Umayyad Caliph Marwan I (r. 684–685), and hence half-brother to fifth Umayyad Caliph Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan (r. 685–705).[1][2] mother was a woman who's mostly unnamed, however sometimes is called Rayya or Tarubah, and is likely of non-Arab origin (a Kurd according to some accounts). Some have referenced that his mother was already pregnant with Marwan before his legal father, Muhammad, bed her, thus making the child not his.[3] A couple sources report that Muhammad had taken her captive during the suppression of Ibn al-Zubayr's revolt.[4] There is much doubt and dispute on his mother's name but she was most commonly known as Umm Marwan (meaning "Mother of Marwan"). life[edit] 732–733 Caliph Hisham appointed Marwan governor of Armenia. In 735–736 Marwan invaded Georgia, devastated it and then took three fortresses of the Alans and made peace with Tumanshah. In 739-740 he launched further raids and obtained tribute. 744-745, on hearing news of the plot to overthrow al-Walid II, Marwan wrote to his relatives from Armenia strongly discouraging this. He urged them to harmoniously preserve the stability and well-being of the Umayyad house. Yazid III persisted in overthrowing al-Walid II, Marwan at first opposed him, then rendered allegiance to him. On Yazid's early death (Yazid named his brother Ibrahim as his successor. Yazid fell ill of a brain tumour[5]), Marwan renewed his ambitions, ignored Yazid's named successor Ibrahim, and became caliph. Ibrahim initially hid, then requested Marwan give him assurances of personal safety. This Marwan granted and Ibrahim even accompanied the new caliph to Hisham's residence of Rusafah. Old map of western Eurasia and northern Africa showing the expansion of the Caliphate from Arabia to cover most of the Middle East, with the Byzantine Empire outlined in green The expansion of the Muslim Caliphate until 750, from William R. Shepherd's Historical Atlas. Muslim state at the death of Muhammad Expansion under the Rashidun Caliphate Expansion under the Umayyad Caliphate Byzantine Empire named his two sons Ubaydallah and Abdullah heirs. He appointed governors and proceeded to assert his authority by force. However, the anti-Umayyad feeling was very prevalent, especially in Iran and Iraq. The Abbasids had gained much support. As such, Marwan's reign as caliph was almost entirely devoted to trying to keep the Umayyad empire together. took Emesa (Homs) after a bitter ten-month siege. Al-Dahhak ibn Qays al-Shaybani led a Kharijite rebellion. He defeated the Syrian forces and took Kufa. Sulayman ibn Hisham turned against Marwan, but suffered a severe defeat. The Kharijites advanced on Mosul and were defeated. Sulayman joined them. Al-Dahhak's successor al-Khaybari was initially successful in pushing back Marwan's center and even took the caliph's camp and sat on his carpet. However, he and those with him fell into fighting in the camp. Shayban succeeded him. Marwan pursued him and Sulayman to Mosul and besieged them there for six months. Then, reinforced, the caliph drove them out. Shayban fled to Bahrayn where he was killed; Sulayman sailed to India. Khurasan there was internal discord, with the Umayyad governor Nasr ibn Sayyar facing opposition from al-Harith and al-Kirmani. They also fought each other. In addition, Abbasid envoys arrived. There had long been religious fervor and a kind of messianic expectation of Abbasid ascendency. During Ramadan of 747 (16 May – 14 June), the Abbasids unfurled the standards of their revolt. Nasr sent his retainer Yazid against them. Yazid, however, was bested, taken, and held captive. He was impressed by the Abbasids and when released told Nasr he wanted to join them, but his obligations to Nasr brought him back. continued throughout Khurasan with the Abbasids gaining increasing ascendency. Finally, Nasr fell sick and died at Rayy on 9 November 748 at the age of eighty-five. campaigned in Egypt in 749 to quell the Bashmuric Revolt and secure his rear, but his campaign was a failure.[6] The Abbasids, meanwhile, achieved success in the Hijaz. Marwan suffered a decisive defeat by Abu al-Abbas al-Saffah on the banks of the Great Zab, called Battle of the Zab. At this battle alone, over 300 members of the Umayyad family died. Marwan fled, leaving Damascus, Jordan and Palestine and reaching Egypt, where he was caught and killed on 6 August 750. His heirs Ubaydallah and Abdallah escaped to modern Eritrea. Abdallah died in fighting there. death signaled the end of Umayyad fortunes in the East and was followed by the mass killing of Umayyads by the Abbasids. Almost the entire Umayyad dynasty was killed, except for the prince Abd ar-Rahman who escaped to Spain and founded an Umayyad dynasty there. In Egypt, Marwan's tongue was fed to a cat.[7] Martyr David the Prince of Georgia, Commemorated on October 2; 8th century was extremely difficult for the Georgian people. Marwan bin Muhammad (called “the Deaf” by the Georgians and “the Blind” by the Armenians), the Persian ruler and military leader for the Arab caliph, invaded eastern parts of the Byzantine Empire, then Armenia and Georgia. fire and the sword he fought his way across Georgia from the east to the city of Tskhumi (now Sokhumi) in the region of Abkhazeti. The princes David and Constantine Mkheidze of Argveti were faithful Christians and skilled military leaders. When they heard about the enemy’s invasion, the brothers prayed to God for protection, assembled their armies, and urged their people to pray fervently for God’s help. Persian warriors approached Argveti from Samtskhe and attacked the Georgians on Persati Mountain. The Georgian army won the battle, with David and Constantine leading the resistance against the fearsome conquerors. before long the enraged Marwan the Deaf gathered an enormous army and marched toward Argveti to take revenge. This time the enemy routed the Georgian army. Many were killed and those who survived were forced to flee to the forests. The commanders David and Constantine were taken captive. Persian soldiers bound David and Constantine and brought them before Marwan the Deaf, who began to mock them. But they reacted with complete composure, saying, “Your laughter and boasting are in vain, since earthly glory is fleeting and soon fades away. It is not your valor that has captured us, but our own sins. For the atonement of these sins have we fallen into the hands of the godless enemy!” furious Marwan ordered that the brothers be beaten without mercy, but they steadfastly endured the suffering. Stunned by the brothers’ resolve, Marwan decided to win them over with flattery instead. Promising him great honors and command of the armies, he turned to the older brother, David, saying, “I have heard of your valor, and I advise you to abandon your erroneous faith and submit yourself to the faith of Muhammad!” David crossed himself and answered, “Let not this disgrace come upon us, that we would depart from the light and draw nearer to the darkness!” Then he condemned the error of the Islamic faith: “Muhammad converted you from the worship of fire, but he could not instill in you the knowledge of the True God. Therefore it appears as though you suffered a shipwreck and saved yourselves from the depths of the sea, but drowned in the shallow waters of the coast.” at this reply, Marwan turned to the younger brother, Constantine, hoping to win him over to his side. But Constantine was also unbending, and he fearlessly glorified the Most Holy Trinity: “My brother David and I believe and follow the one Faith and one doctrine in which we have been instructed. Our faith is in the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and we will die for the sake of the One True God!” ordered that the brothers be starved to death. After they had suffered for ten days, Marwan sent sorcerers and charmers to arouse in them a desire to convert to Islam, but their efforts were in vain. Finally the holy brothers David and Constantine were led to the riverbank near the Church of Saints Cosmas and Damian. There they were brutally beaten and bound. Heavy rocks were hung from their necks, and they were drowned in the river. night three beams of light descended from the heavens and lit up the place where the brothers had been drowned. According to God’s holy will, the ropes binding the holy martyrs were loosed, and their bodies floated to the surface. A group of faithful Christians carried them out of the river and buried them on the bank of the Tsqaltsitela River, in a church that Marwan the Deaf had devastated. place of their burial remained concealed until the beginning of the 12th century, during the reign of King Bagrat the Great (1072-1117). Then, in fulfillment of King Bagrat’s decree, the Monastery of the Martyrs (Motsameta) was built over that place, and the incorrupt relics of the Great Martyrs are still preserved there. Martyr Ashot Curapalati, King of of Artanuji, Commemorated on January 29 ;

Persia, 864-1041, History Folder, Caspian Expeditions of the Rus

Persia, 864-1041, Caspian Expeditions of the Rus 864-1041
Caspian expeditions of the Rus 864-1041; The Protection of our Most Holy Lady the Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, Commemorated on October 1 ;

Persia, 888-929, Sajid dynasty Folder, Sunni, Persia into Geogria

Persia, 889, John of Zedazeni, Mtskheta, Georgia, murdered at Zendazeni by Muslims
Georgia, 889, John of Zedazeni, Mtskheta, Georgia, murdered at Zendazeni by Muslims; Zedazeni Monastery. This location is only approximate. Zedazeni Monestary is located on the Zedazeni mountain the hills of Saguramo, northeast to Mtskheta and to the east side of the Aragvi River. ; Martyr John, Abbot of the Zedazeni Monastery, Commemorated December 12 ; life of the holy martyr John, Abbot of Zedazeni Monastery, has not been preserved, but the list recalling “the names of the holy fathers who reposed at Zedazeni Monastery after John of Zedazeni,” which was compiled by Catholicos Arsenius II, tells us that Abbot John was “murdered at Zedazeni by Muslims.” Saint John was martyred in the 9th century.

Persia, 889-929, Sajid dynasty, from Persia into Geogria
Persia, 889-929, Sajid dynasty, from Persia into Geogria; Sajid dynasty, was an Iranian Muslim dynasty that ruled from 889-890 until 929. The Sajids ruled Azerbaijan and parts of Armenia first from Maragha and Barda and then from Ardabil.[a][1] The Sajids originated from the Central Asian province of Ushrusana and were of Iranian (Sogdian)[2][3][b] descent. Muhammad ibn Abi'l-Saj Diwdad the son of Diwdad, the first Sajid ruler of Azerbaijan, was appointed as its ruler in 889 or 890. Muhammad's father Abu'l-Saj Devdad had fought under the Ushrusanan prince Afshin Khaydar during the latter's final campaign against the rebel Babak Khorramdin in Azerbaijan, and later served the caliphs. Toward the end of the 9th century, as the central authority of the Abbasid Caliphate weakened, Muhammad was able to form a virtually independent state. Much of the Sajids' energies were spent in attempting to take control of neighboring Armenia. The dynasty ended with the death of Abu'l-Musafir al-Fath in 929. Arab Sajid invasion of Georgia 914 Kvelistsikhe Fortress; Martyr Michael (Gobron) of Georgia, Commemorated November 17 ;

Persia, 889-901, Muhammad ibn Abi'l-Saj, first Sajid Ruler
Persia, 889-901, Muhammad ibn Abi'l-Saj, first Sajid Ruler; ibn Abi'l-Saj also known as Muhammad al-Afshin (died 901), an Iranian[1] appointed general of al-Mu'tadid, was the first Sajid amir of Azerbaijan, from 889 or 890 until his death. He was the son of Abi'l-Saj Devdad. Early career Like their father, Muhammad and his brother Yusuf had long and active careers. In 879 Muhammad was appointed by the Saffarid Amr ibn al-Layth as his representative in Mecca, and was later appointed by the Abbasids as the governor of Anbar and Rahba. When the amir of Egypt Ahmad ibn Tulun died in 884, Muhammad was presented an opportunity to capture some of his territories in Syria from his inexperienced son and heir, Khumarawayh. He allied himself with another Abbasid general, Ishaq ibn Kundaj, who had received authorization and some troops from al-Muwaffaq.[2][3][4] Ishaq clashed with the Tulunid governor of Raqqa in April 884,[5] and soon after, the Tulunid governor of Damascus defected, bringing with him Antioch, Aleppo and Hims.[4] Khumarawayh responded by sending troops to Syria, who soon succeeded in recovering the lost cities, before both sides settled into winter quarters.[4] In the spring, al-Muwaffaq's son, Abu'l-Abbas Ahmad (the future Caliph al-Mu'tadid), arrived to take control. Ahmad and Ishaq defeated the Tulunids, who were driven back to Palestine, but Ahmad quarrelled with Ishaq and Muhammad, who departed with their troops, and at the Battle of the Mills on 6 April Khumarawayh's general Sa'd al-Aysar routed the Abbasid army.[2][4][6] This signalled the end of the alliance between Muhammad and Ishaq: Muhammad now turned to Khumarawayh, and persuaded him to invade the Jazira. With Egyptian aid, Muhammad crossed the Euphrates, defeated Ishaq's forces in a number of battles in 886â€“887, and forced him to recognize Tulunid control.[2][7][8] The entire Jazira now became a Tulunid province, a fact recognized by the Abbasid government in a treaty in December 886 that confirmed Khumarawayh in his old and new possessions.[7][9] Ishaq remained as governor of Mosul under Tulunid authority. In 887/8 he tried to rebel but was defeated. Although he re-acknowledged Tulunid suzerainty, he was now stripped of Mosul in favor of Muhammad. Ishaq now concentrated his attentions on defeating Muhammad, and soon managed to secure the favor and support of Khumarawayh: in 888â€“889 Ishaq defeated Muhammad at Damascus, who then fled to al-Muwaffaq.[2][10] In 889 or 890 Caliph al-Mu'tamid's brother and regent, al-Muwaffaq, appointed Muhammad as governor of Azerbaijan. His first challenge came in the form of 'Abd-Allah ibn al-Hasan ibn al-Hamdani, a rebel who had taken control of Maragha. Muhammad convinced him to surrender in 893 by promising his safety, but once 'Abd-Allah did so he was executed by the Sajid. Maragha was afterwards made Muhammad's capital, though he usually resided in Bardaa.[11] Conflict over Armenia When the Bagratid Smbat I came to the throne of Armenia in 890, Muhammad had sent him a crown and presents in the name of the caliph, asserting his own authority over Smbat in the process. When Smbat sent envoys to the Byzantine emperor in 892, Muhammad threatened to attack him, but Smbat managed to convince the Sajid not to carry out his threat through diplomatic means. Three years later, however, the Bagratid invaded Georgia and Albania. In response Muhammad seized Nakhchivan and Dvin, but was then defeated and decided to make peace.[12] At some point in his career Muhammad decided to assert his independence from the caliph, probably by refusing to send the revenue due to Baghdad. In 898 he assumed the title al-Afshin, the title previously used by the rulers of Ushrusana in Transoxiana (Muhammad's family was originally from that province). Soon afterwards he decided to restore his loyalty to the caliph, and was confirmed as governor of Azerbaijan and Armenia. Muhammad launched another campaign against Smbat, taking Kars and capturing Smbat's wife and part of his treasury. Dvin was furthermore brought under control. In 899 Muhammad exchanged Smbat's wife for his son Ashot. Shortly after this he forced the Artsrunid ruler of Vaspurakan, Ashot-Sargis Artsruni, to submit to his authority. In the meantime his loyalty to the caliph again became uncertain. In 900 he invaded Vaspurakan again after Ashot-Sargis's brother, whom Muhammad had taken as a hostage the last time he had invaded, escaped. He left a garrison in Vaspurakan after Ashot-Sargis fled and returned to Bardaa. While preparing another campaign against Smbat, he died of an epidemic in 901.[11] He was succeeded by his son Devdad. Persia, 889-929, Sajid dynasty, from Persia into Geogria; Sajid dynasty (Persian: Ø³Ø§Ø¬ÛŒØ§Ù†â€Ž), was an Iranian Muslim dynasty that ruled from 889-890 until 929. The Sajids ruled Azerbaijan and parts of Armenia first from Maragha and Barda and then from Ardabil.[a][1] The Sajids originated from the Central Asian province of Ushrusana and were of Iranian (Sogdian)[2][3][b] descent. Muhammad ibn Abi'l-Saj Diwdad the son of Diwdad, the first Sajid ruler of Azerbaijan, was appointed as its ruler in 889 or 890. Muhammad's father Abu'l-Saj Devdad had fought under the Ushrusanan prince Afshin Khaydar during the latter's final campaign against the rebel Babak Khorramdin in Azerbaijan, and later served the caliphs. Toward the end of the 9th century, as the central authority of the Abbasid Caliphate weakened, Muhammad was able to form a virtually independent state. Much of the Sajids' energies were spent in attempting to take control of neighboring Armenia. The dynasty ended with the death of Abu'l-Musafir al-Fath in 929. Arab Sajid invasion of Georgia 914 Kvelistsikhe Fortress; Martyr Michael (Gobron) of Georgia, Commemorated November 17 ;

Persia, 889-901, Saiid Dynasty in Maragheh, Iran
Saiid Dynasty in Maragheh, Iran;

Persia, 901-929, Saiid Dynasty in Ardabil, Iran
Saiid Dynasty in Ardabil, Iran;

Persia, 914, Arab Sajid invasion of Georgia and Kvelistsikhe Fortress
Arab Sajid invasion of Georgia 914 Kvelistsikhe Fortress; Martyr Michael (Gobron) of Georgia, Commemorated November 17 ;

Persia, 1256-1353, History Folder, Persian Mongolian Ilkhanate Empire, Buddist then Sunni

Persia, 1256-1353, Persian Mongolian Ilkhanate Empire, 1256-1353, Tabriz
Persia, 1256-1353, Persian Mongolian Ilkhanate Empire, 1256-1353; St Demetrius the Devoted, King of Georgia, Commemorated on March 16;

Persia, 1257-1300, 13th Century Folder, Ilkhanate Empire, 1256- , Georgia under these Mongols

Persia, 1257-1265, Ilkhan Emperor, Hulagu, civil wars, over m of western asia, Genghis gs
Persia, 1256-1265, Persian Mongolian Ilkhanate Emperor, Hulagu Khan; Khan, also known as Hülegü or Hulegu (c. 1215 - 8 February 1265), was a Mongol ruler who conquered much of Western Asia. Son of Tolui and the Keraite princess Sorghaghtani Beki, he was a grandson of Genghis Khan and brother of Ariq Böke, Möngke Khan, and Kublai Khan. army greatly expanded the southwestern portion of the Mongol Empire, founding the Ilkhanate of Persia, a precursor to the eventual Safavid dynasty, and then the modern state of Iran. Under Hulagu's leadership, the siege of Baghdad (1258) destroyed Baghdad's standing in the Islamic Golden Age and weakened Damascus, causing a shift of Islamic influence to the Mamluk Sultanate in Cairo and ended the Abbasid Dynasty. St. Prochorus of Georgia, Commemorated on February 12;

Persia, 1265-1282, Persian Mongolian Ilkhanate Emperor, Abaqa Khan, civil wars with Mongol Empire, invaded Syria unsuccessfully
Persia, 1265-1282, Persian Mongolian Ilkhanate Emperor, Abaqa Khan ; Khan (February 1234 - 4 April 1282, paternal uncle, also transliterated Abaġa), was the second Mongol ruler (Ilkhan) of the Ilkhanate. son of Hulagu Khan and Lady Yesünčin. He was the grandson of Tolui and reigned from 1265 to 1282 and was succeeded by his brother Ahmed Tekuder.[1] of Abaqa's reign was consumed with civil wars in the Mongol Empire, such as those between the Ilkhanate and the northern khanate of the Golden Horde. Abaqa also engaged in unsuccessful attempts at military invasion of Syria, including the Second Battle of Homs. was born in Mongolia[1] in February 1234, son of Ilkhanate founder Hulagu Khan. Abaqa was a Buddhist. A favoured son of Hulagu, he was made governor of Turkestan.[2] died from illness in 1265. Before his death, he had been negotiating with the Byzantine Emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos to add a daughter of the Byzantine imperial family to Hulagu's number of wives. VIII had selected his illegitimate daughter Maria Palaiologina, who was dispatched in 1265, escorted by the abbot of Pantokrator monastery, Theodosius de Villehardouin.[3] Historian Steven Runciman relates how she was accompanied by the Patriarch Euthymius of Antioch.[2] Hulagu died before she arrived, she was instead married to Hulagu's son, Abaqa. He received her hand in marriage when he was installed as Ilkhan. When Hulagu's wife Doquz Khatun also died in 1265, the role of spiritual leader transferred to Maria, who was called "Despina Khatun" by the Mongols. was Abaqa who decided on the permanent location for the Ilkhanate capital, Tabriz, which was in the northwestern grasslands that the Mongols preferred.[4] took power four months after the death of his father, and then spent the next several months redistributing fiefs and governorships.[2] of the coins from Abaqa's era display the Christian cross, and bear in Arabic the Christian inscription "In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, only one God".[5] campaigns[edit] Horde[edit] Dinar of Abaqa Khan, Isfahan Mint. dirham of Abaqa Khan, struck at the Tiflis (Tbilisi) mint, dated 1265 Hulagu's reign, the Mongols of the Ilkhanate had been at war with the Mongols of the Golden Horde. This continued into Abaqa's reign, and the Golden Horde invaded the Ilkhanate in the Spring after his accession. The invasion was partly due to an alliance between the Golden Horde and the Egyptian Mamluks. As part of this alliance, the Golden Horde would attempt to distract Abaqa through an attack on his territories to keep him from invading Mamluk-held Syria.[2] hostilities continued until the death of the Golden Horde's khan Berke, in 1267. The Great Khan Kublai attempted to intervene to stop the civil war, and due to his influence, the Golden Horde's khan, Möngke Temür did not launch a major invasion into Abaqa's territory.[6] Möngke Temür still established an alliance with the Egyptian Mamluk sultan Baibars promising that he would attack Abaqa and share any conquered territories.[7] However, at the same time, Möngke Temür sent envoys to congratulate Abaqa when the Ilkhan defeated Ghiyas-ud-din Baraq.[8] In 1270, he allowed Mengu-Timur to collect his revenues from workshops in Iran.[9] Ögedei's grandson Kaidu, Batu's grandson Mengu-Timur and Baraq of the Chagatai Khanate formed an alliance against Kublai Khan and Abaqa in Talas. They appointed Kaidu a ruler of Central Asia. The Kaidu–Kublai war lasted for a few decades. 1270, Baraq Khan of the Chagataids tried to annex Iran, which started a new war against Abaqa in the city of Herat, though Abaqa was able to launch a successful defence and, also, defeated Baraq's relative Teguder in Georgia. In the following year, he retaliated by sending an army against the Chagatai Khanate. They plundered Bukhara and surrounding areas. There were small conflicts between Abaqha and Qara'unas under Chagatayd noyans until 1280. Ismailis[edit] Main articles: Mongol campaign against the Nizaris and Gerdkuh of Syria[edit] See also: Mongol invasions of Syria relations with Christians[edit] was one in a long line of Mongol rulers who attempted to secure Western co-operation against the Muslim Mamluks. He corresponded with Pope Clement IV during 1267-1268, and reportedly sent a Mongol ambassador in 1268, trying to form a Franco-Mongol alliance between his forces, those of the West, and those of his father-in-law Michael VIII. He received responses from Rome and from James I of Aragon, though it is unclear if this was what led to James's unsuccessful expedition to Acre in 1269.[10] Abaqa is recorded as having written to the Aragonese king, saying that he was going to send his brother, Aghai, to join the Aragonese when they arrived in Cilicia. Abaqa also sent embassies to Edward I of England, and in 1274 sent a Mongol delegation to Pope Gregory X at the Second Council of Lyons, where Abaqa's secretary Rychaldus read a report to the assembly, reminding them of Hulagu's friendliness towards Christians, and assuring them that Abaqa planned to drive the Muslims from Syria.[11] But neither this diplomatic mission, nor two further embassies to Europe in 1276 and 1277, brought any tangible results. during the Ninth Crusade (1271)[edit] operations (red) under Abaqa's general Samagar during the Ninth Crusade in 1271 also: Ninth Crusade VI of Antioch, under the influence of his father-in-law Hetoum I of Armenia, had voluntarily submitted to Mongol authority in 1260,[12] while Abaqa's father Hulagu was in power, making Antioch and Tripoli vassal states of the Ilkhanate. In 1268, the Mamluk leader Baibars captured Antioch,[13] and Bohemond obtained a truce with Baibars in order to avoid losing Tripoli.[14][15] response to the fall of Antioch, Edward I of England arrived in Acre in 1271, trying to lead a new Crusade. It was ultimately considered a military failure, but Edward was able to eventually secure a truce with the Mamluks before he had to return to England. Edward arrived in Acre, he had sent an embassy to Abaqa, led by Reginald Rossel, Godefroi of Waus and John of Parker, requesting military assistance from the Mongols.[16] Abaqa was occupied by other conflicts in Turkestan but responded positively to Edward's request, sending 10,000 Mongol horsemen under general Samagar from the occupation army in Seljuk Anatolia to Syria: talking over the matter, we have on our account resolved to send to your aid Cemakar (Samagar) at the head of a mighty force; thus, when you discuss among yourselves the other plans involving the aforementioned Cemakar be sure to make explicit arrangements as to the exact month and day on which you will engage the enemy." — Letter from Abaqa to Edward I, 4 September 1271.[17] Mongols, including some auxiliary Seljukid troops, ravaged the land from Aleppo southward. Though the force was relatively small, they triggered an exodus of the Muslim population (who remembered the previous campaigns of the Mongol general Kitbuqa) as far south as Cairo.[18] Edward, for his part, was never able to muster his own forces to coordinate actions with the Mongols or even achieve any military victories, so Abaqa's forces eventually withdrew. When Baibars mounted a counter-offensive from Egypt on 12 November, the Mongols had already retreated beyond the Euphrates. of 1280–1281[edit] Mamluk leader Baibars died in 1277. In 1280–1281, Abaqa promoted new attacks against Syria. In September 1280, the Mongols occupied Baghras and Darbsak, and took Aleppo on October 20. The Mongols sent envoys to Acre to request military support for their campaign, but the Crusaders were still in a 10-year truce with the Mamluks. The Vicar of the Patriarch declined Abaqa's request, saying that the city was suffering from hunger, and that the king of Jerusalem was embroiled in another war. The King of Cyprus Hugues III and Bohemond VII also mobilized their armies, but could not intervene because the Mamluks had already positioned themselves between them and the Mongols.[19] and Leo III urged the Franks to start a new Crusade, but only the Hospitallers and Edward I (who could not come for lack of funds) responded favourably.[20] The Hospitallers of Marqab made combined raids into the Buqaia, and won several engagements against the Sultan,[21] raiding as far as the Krak des Chevaliers in October 1280, and defeating the Mamluk army of the Krak in February 1281.[19] Mongols finally retreated, pledging to come back for the winter of 1281. They informed the Franks that they would bring 50,000 Mongol horsemen and 50,000 Mongol infantry, but the request apparently remained without a response.[21] of Autumn 1281[edit] of the Mongols (left) at the 1281 Battle of Homs. Egyptian Muslims had respected a 10-year truce with the Crusaders which began in 1271. On 3 May 1281, the new Muslim sultan Qalawun signed a new 10-year truce with the Barons of Acre and a second 10-year truce with Bohemond VII of Tripoli, on 16 July 1281.[22] announced Mongol invasion started in September 1281. They were joined by the Armenians under Leo III, and by about 200 Hospitalier knights from the fortress of Marqab,[23][24] who considered they were not bound by the truce with the Mamluks.[25] 30 October 1281, 50,000 Mongol troops, together with 30,000 Armenians, Georgians, Greeks, and the Hospitalier Knights of Marqab fought against the Muslim leader Qalawun at the Second Battle of Homs, but were beaten back.[25] and succession[edit] died at Hamadan on 4 April 1282, probably in a state of delirium tremens. This illness was probably caused by too much consumption of alcohol, a habit common to many Mongol leaders. However, in 1285, his minister of finance Shams ad-Din Juvayni was accused of having had him poisoned.[26] Abaqa's death, his widow Maria fled back to Constantinople where her father, apparently wishing to spare his capital the fate that befell Baghdad, tried to marry her off again to another Mongol khan. Maria would not accept the offer, became a nun, and founded the church of Panagia Mouchliotissa around 1285. was succeeded by his brother Tekuder, who despite his earlier conflicts with the Egyptian Mamluks, had converted to Islam. Tekuder reversed Abaqa's pro-Christian policies and proposed an alliance with the Mamluk Sultan Qalawun, who resumed attacks on Frankish territory, capturing the northern fortress of Margat in 1285, Lattakia in 1287, and Tripoli in 1289.[27] In 1284, Abaqa's son Arghun led a successful revolt, backed by Kublai. Arghun had his uncle Tekuder executed and took power himself, returning to the pro-Christian policies of Abaqa. younger son, Gaykhatu, assumed the throne in 1291.[28][29][30] Martyr Salome the Georgian, Commemorated on July 20; little information has come down to us about the holy martyr Salome of Jerusalem and Kartli, who lived in the XIII century at a women’s monastery in Jerusalem. She was arrested by the Persian Moslems because of her outspoken defense of Christ. Synaxarion of the Monastery of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem, where she was martyred, tells us that at first, she gave in to the threats of the Persians and denied Christ. Later, however, she repented and publicly confessed Christ as the Son of God and the Savior of the world. Salome was tortured by the Persians because of her faith in Christ. Finally, she was beheaded and her holy relics were thrown into the fire. is believed that she was executed after the martyrdom of Saint Luka of Jerusalem, which occurred on February 12, 1277. St Demetrius the Devoted, King of Georgia, Commemorated on March 16; St Pimen of Salosi the Enlightener of Dagestan and the North Caucasus People, Commemorated on March 16;

Persia, 1277, Luke, Holy Cross Georgian Monastery, Jerusalem, L followed mother to Jerusalem, severed head thanked God
Jerusalem, 1277, Luke & Fathers of Holy Cross Georgian Monastery near Jerusalem, 3 trees of the Cross, Luke followed his mother to Jerusalem, became monk there, became abbot, monks ousted, Luke confronted, beheaded, then severed head turned East and thanked God ; Holy Cross Georgian Monastery near Jerusalem; Fathers & Luke Martyrs of the Georgian Monasteries in Jerusalem, Commemorated February 12 ; holy martyr Luka of Jerusalem lived in the 13th century. He was born to an honorable, pious Georgian family by the name of Mukhaisdze. After the repose of Luka’s father, his mother left her children and went to labor at a monastery in Jerusalem. Luka reached the age of twenty, he traveled to Jerusalem to visit his mother and venerate the holy places. After spending some time there he decided to remain and be tonsured a monk. was later ordained a deacon and became fluent in Arabic. Soon the brothers of the monastery recognized his wisdom and asked him to guide them as abbot. For three years Luka directed the monastery in an exemplary manner. the devil was envious of the holy father and provoked a certain Shekh-Khidar, an influential Persian at the court of Sultan Penducht, (Probably Sultan Zakhir-Rukedin-Baibars-Bundukdar of Egypt (1260-1277)) to take up arms against Saint Luka. Penducht then transferred possession of theHoly CrossMonastery to Shekh-Khidar, who “treated the Georgian monks in a beastly manner and finally ousted them from the monastery altogether.” his God-given duty, the blessed Luka insisted on personally confronting Shekh-Khidar in defense of his brotherhood. ’s Christian brothers and sisters warned him, saying, “Shekh-Khidar is threatening you.... Flee and hide fromhim!” But Luka paid no heed to their admonitions, certain that it was more fitting to die for Christ than to live for the world. As he had insisted, he himself approached and asked for the release of the imprisoned fathers. told him that he was prepared to accept any demands. The wicked Persian leader demanded nothing from Luka except that he convert to Islam, promising to make him emir if he consented. When he refused, the furious Shekh-Khidar ordered Saint Luka’s beheading. the terrible deed had been performed, Saint Luka’s severed head turned toward the east and gave thanks to God with an expression of pure peace. Soon after, his precious body was set on fire at the command of the bewildered Shekh-Khidar. This occurred in 1277. Martyr Luke of Jerusalem, the Georgian, Commemorated on February 12 ; story as above

Persia, 1282-1284, Persian Mongolian Ilkhanate Emperor, Tekuder
Persia, 1282-1284, Persian Mongolian Ilkhanate Emperor, Tekuder; St Demetrius the Devoted, King of Georgia, Commemorated on March 16; St Pimen of Salosi the Enlightener of Dagestan and the North Caucasus People, Commemorated on March 16;

Persia, 1284-1291, Persian Mongolian Ilkhanate Emperor, Arghun
Persia, 1284-1291, Persian Mongolian Ilkhanate Emperor, Arghun; St Demetrius the Devoted, King of Georgia, Commemorated on March 16; St Pimen of Salosi the Enlightener of Dagestan and the North Caucasus People, Commemorated on March 16;

Persia, 1291-1295, Persian Mongolian Ilkhanate Emperor, Gaykhatu
Persia, 1291-1295, Persian Mongolian Ilkhanate Emperor, Gaykhatu;

Persia, 1295-1295, Persian Mongolian Ilkhanate Emperor, Baydu, Sodomite
Persia, 1295-1295, Persian Mongolian Ilkhanate Emperor, Baydu;

Persia, 1295-1304, Persian Mongolian Ilkhanate Emperor, Ghazan, Sunni Islam
Persia, 1295-1304, Persian Mongolian Ilkhanate Emperor, Ghazan;

Persia, 1300, 14th Century Folder, Ilkhanate Empire, -1353, Martyr Nicholas Dvali in Damascus

Persia, 1304-1316, Persian Mongolian Ilkhanate Emperor, Oljeitu, Sunni Islam
Persia, 1304-1316, Persian Mongolian Ilkhanate Emperor, Oljeitu, Sunni Islam; Martyr Nicholas Dvali in Jerusalem, Commemorated on February 12;

Persia, 1316-1335, Persian Mongolian Ilkhanate Emperor, Abu Sa'id Bahadur Khan, Sunni Islam
Persia, 1316-1335, Persian Mongolian Ilkhanate Emperor, Abu Sa'id Bahadur Khan, Sunni Islam;

Persia, 1335-1336, Persian Mongolian Ilkhanate Emperor, Arpa Ke'un, Sunni Islam
Persia, 1335-1336, Persian Mongolian Ilkhanate Emperor, Arpa Ke'un, Sunni Islam;

Persia, 1336-1337, Persian Mongolian Ilkhanate Emperor, Musa (Ilkhanid dynasty)
Persia, 1335-1336, Persian Mongolian Ilkhanate Emperor, Arpa Ke'un, Sunni Islam;

Persia, 1337-1338, Persian Mongolian Ilkhanate Emperor, Muhammad Khan (Ilkhan)
Persia, 1337-1338, Persian Mongolian Ilkhanate Emperor, Muhammad Khan (Ilkhan);

Persia, 1338-1340, Persian Mongolian Ilkhanate Emperor, Jahan Temur
Persia, 1338-1340, Persian Mongolian Ilkhanate Emperor, Jahan Temur;

Persia, 1340-1357, Persian Mongolian Ilkhanate Emperor, Anushirwan
Persia, 1340-1357, Persian Mongolian Ilkhanate Emperor, Anushirwan;

Persia, 1072-1307, History Folder, Persian-Turk Seljuk Khwarezmid Empire, Sunni

Persia, 1000, 11th Century Folder, Persian-Turk Sultanate of Rome

Persia, 1073-1092, Persian-Turk Seljuk Sultan, Jalal al-Dawlah Malik Shah I, established order in Georgia, poisoned
Persia, 1072-1092, Persian-Turk Seljuk Suleiman Sultan, Jalal al-Dawlah Malik Shah I; I son of Alp Arslan ------Jalal al-Dawla Muizz al-Dunya Wal-Din Abu'l-Fath ibn Alp Arslan (8 August 1055 – 19 November 1092, better known by his regnal name of Malik-Shah I, was sultan of the Seljuk Empire from 1072 to 1092. his youth, he spent his time participating in the campaigns of his father Alp Arslan, along with the latter's vizier Nizam al-Mulk. During one of such campaigns in 1072, Alp Arslan was fatally wounded and died only a few days later. After that, Malik-Shah was crowned as the new sultan of the empire, but the succession was contested by his uncle Qavurt. Although Malik-Shah was the nominal head of the Seljuk state, Nizam al-Mulk held near absolute power during his reign.[4] Malik-Shah spent the rest of his reign waging war against the Karakhanids on the eastern side, and establishing order in the Caucasus. death to this day remains under dispute; according to some scholars, he was poisoned by Abbasid caliph al-Muqtadi, while others say that he was poisoned by the supporters of Nizam al-Mulk. Blessed David IV the King of Georgia, Commemorated on January 26; St Arsenius of Iqalto in Georgia, Commemorated on February 6;

Persia, 1077-1307, Persian-Turk, Seljuk Empire, Sultanate of Rum (Rome), Sunni
Persia, 1077-1307, Persian-Turk, Seljuk Empire, Sultanate of Rum (Rome), Sunni; Sultanate of Rum[a] or Rum Seljuk Sultanate was a Turko-Persian[7][8][9][10] Sunni Muslim ruled state, established over major cities and territories of Anatolia conquered from the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire by the Seljuk Turks following the Battle of Manzikert (1071) and a subsequent temporary collapse of Byzantine power. The name Rûm was a synonym for the Byzantine Empire and its peoples, as it remains in modern Turkish. It derives from the Arabic name for ancient Rome, itself a loan from Koine Greek, "Romans, citizens of the Eastern Roman Empire".[11] Sultanate of Rum seceded from the Great Seljuk Empire under Suleiman ibn Qutalmish in 1077, just six years after the Byzantine provinces of central Anatolia were conquered at the Battle of Manzikert (1071). It had its capital first at İznik and then at Konya. It reached the height of its power during the late 12th and early 13th century, when it succeeded in taking key Byzantine ports on the Mediterranean and Black Sea coasts. In the east, the sultanate reached Lake Van. Trade through Anatolia from Iran and Central Asia was developed by a system of caravanserai. Especially strong trade ties with the Genoese formed during this period. The increased wealth allowed the sultanate to absorb other Turkish states that had been established following the conquest of Byzantine Anatolia: Danishmendids, House of Mengüjek, Saltukids, Artuqids. Seljuk sultans bore the brunt of the Crusades and eventually succumbed to the Mongol invasion at the 1243 Battle of Köse Dağ. For the remainder of the 13th century, the Seljuks acted as vassals of the Ilkhanate.[12] Their power disintegrated during the second half of the 13th century. The last of the Seljuk vassal sultans of the Ilkhanate, Mesud II, was murdered in 1308. The dissolution of the Seljuk state left behind many small Anatolian beyliks (Turkish principalities), among them that of the Ottoman dynasty, which eventually conquered the rest and reunited Anatolia to become the Ottoman Empire. St John of Shavtel-Gaenati, Commemorated on June 9;

Persia, 1089-1125, King, David IV of Georgia, The Restorer, The Builder
Georgia, 1089-1125, King, David IV of Georgia, The Restorer, The Builder, 16 yr old King, welfare of the Church responsibility, Church over feudal lords, vital role of Faith, repatriation, began in Kakheti, traitorous feudal lords, David's army God's hands, David himself fought, Turks eliminated, Mehmed I 100,000, 1,500 G to Trialeti, same time 1115 advisor Giorgi recaptured Rustavi Ravine, David's son Demetre, permanent standing army 45,000, Kipchaks recruited, his wife's father Atrak, Mahmud II coalition Muslim countries 600,000, Soldier's of Christ we will defeat Devil himself, greatest weapon covenant w God to die for his love, block retreat w branches, tactics and miracles terrified the enemy at Didgori, recaptured Tiblisi 1122 after 400 yrs, Gelati Monastery 1106; Blessed David IV the King of Georgia, Commemorated on January 26; the end of the 11th century the Georgian Church underwent a trial of physically and spiritually catastrophic proportions. Seljuk sultan, Jalal al-Dawlah Malik Shah (1073-1092), captured the village of Samshvilde, imprisoned its leader, Ioane Orbeliani, son of Liparit, ravaged Kvemo (Lower) Kartli, and finally captured all of Georgia, despite the isolated victories of King Giorgi II (1072-1089). The fearful Georgians fled their homes to hide in the mountains and forests. and deeply distressed by the difficult times, the nation that had once vowed its unconditional love for Christ began to fall into sin and corruption. People of all ages and temperaments sinned against God and turned to the path of perdition. God manifested His wrath toward the Georgian people by sending a terrible earthquake that devastated their Paschal celebrations. the year 1089, during this period of devastation and despair, King Giorgi II abdicated, designating his sixteen-year-old only son, David (later known as “the Restorer”), heir to the throne. It is written that the Heavenly Father said: I have found David My servant, with My holy oil have I annointed him (Ps. 88:19). newly crowned King David took upon himself enormous responsibility for the welfare of the Church. He supported the efforts of the Council of Ruisi-Urbnisi to restore and reinforce the authority of the Georgian Church and suppress the conceited feudal lords and unworthy clergymen. During King David’s reign, the government’s most significant activities were carried out for the benefit of the Church. At the same time, the Council of Ruisi-Urbnisi reasserted the vital role of the Orthodox Faith in rescuing the Georgian people from the godless mire into which they had sunk. among King David’s goals at the beginning of his reign was the repatriation of those who had fled Georgia during the Turkish rule. The king summoned his noblemen and began to reunify the nation. The king’s efforts to reunify Georgia began in the eastern region of Kakheti-Hereti, but the Turks and traitorous feudal lords were unwilling to surrender the power they had gained in the area. Nevertheless, King David’s army was in God’s hands, and the Georgians fought valiantly against the massive Turkish army. King David himself fought like any other soldier: three of his horses were killed, but he mounted a fourth to finish the fight with a fantastic victory. The Turkish presence was eliminated from his country. however, the uncompromising Seljuk sultan Mehmed (Muhammad) I of Baghdad (1105-1118) ordered an army of one hundred thousand soldiers to march on Georgia. When King David heard of the enemy’s approach, he immediately assembled a force of fifteen hundred men and led them towards Trialeti. A battle began in the early morning, and with God’s help the enemy was defeated. the king’s adviser, Giorgi of Chqondidi, recaptured the town of Rustavi in 1115, as the Georgian army recovered the ravine of the Mtkvari River. of Chqondidi was King David’s teacher and closest adviser. He held the post of chancellor-procurator. At the council of Ruisi-Urbnisi, King David introduced a new law, combining the office of chancellor-procurator with the archbishopric of Chqondidi, the most influential episcopate in Georgia.) year later, the Turks, who had been encamped between the towns of Karnipori and Basiani, were banished from the country. The “Great Wars” continued, and the holy king was crowned with new victories. ’s son Demetre (later the venerable Damiane), a young man distinguished in “wisdom, holiness, appearance and courage,” was a great asset to his father. The prince led a war on Shirvan, captured Kaladzori, and returned to his father with slaves and great riches, the spoils of war in those days. One year later, the villages of Lore and Agarani were rejoined to Georgia. spite of his victories, King David knew that it would be difficult for his meager army to protect the recovered cities and fortresses, while continuing to serve as a permanent military force. Thus it became necessary to establish a separate, permanent standing army. The wise king planned to draft men from among the Qipchaks, a northern Caucasian tribe, to form this army. He was well acquainted with the character of these people, and confident that they were brave and seasoned in war. Furthermore, David’s wife, Queen Gurandukhti, was a daughter of Atrak, the Qipchaks’ ruler. Atrak joyfully agreed to the request of his son-in-law, the king. a true diplomat seeking to maintain peaceful relations with the Qipchaks, King David took his adviser, Giorgi of Chqondidi, and traveled to the region of Ossetia in the northern Caucasus. There Giorgi of Chqondidi, an “adviser to his master and participant in his great works and victories,” reposed in the Lord. Following this, the dispirited King David declared that his kingdom would grieve for forty days. But he accomplished what he had set out to do, and selected forty thousand Qipchaks to add to the five thousand Georgian soldiers he had already enlisted. From that point on King David had a standing army of forty-five thousand men. king’s enormous army finally uprooted the Turkish presence in and around Georgia permanently. The defeated Turks returned in shame to their sultan in Baghdad, draped in black as a sign of grief and defeat. Nevertheless, the unyielding sultan Mahmud II (1118-1131) rallied a coalition of Muslim countries to attack Georgia. The sultan summoned the Arab leader Durbays bin Sadaka, commanded his own son Malik (1152-1153) to serve him, gathered an army of six hundred thousand men, and marched once more towards Georgia. was August of 1121. Before heading off to battle, King David inspired his army with these words: “Soldiers of Christ! If we fight bravely for our Faith, we will defeat not only the devil’s servants, but the devil himself. will gain the greatest weapon of spiritual warfare when we make a covenant with the Almighty God and vow that we would rather die for His love than escape from the enemy. And if any one of us should wish to retreat, let us take branches and block the entrance to the gorge to prevent this. When the enemy approaches, let us attack fiercely!” of the soldiers thought of retreating. The king’s stunning battle tactics and the miracles of God terrified the enemy. As it is written, “The hand of God empowered him, and the Great-martyr George visibly led him in battle. The king annihilated the godless enemy with his powerful right hand.” battle at Didgori enfeebled the enemy for many years. The following year, in 1122, King David recaptured the capital city of Tbilisi, which had borne the yoke of slavery for four hundred years. The king returned the city to its mother country. In 1123 King David declared the village of Dmanisi a Georgian possession, and thus, at last, unification of the country was complete. victory followed another, as the Lord defended the king who glorified his Creator. 1106 King David had begun construction of Gelati Monastery in western Georgia, and throughout his life this sacred complex was the focus of his efforts on behalf of the revival of the Georgian Church. Gelati Monastery was the most glorious of all the existing temples to God. To beautify the building, King David offered many of the great treasures he had acquired as spoils of war. Then he gathered all the wise, upright, generous, and pious people from among his kinsmen and from abroad and established the Gelati Theological Academy. King David helped many people in Georgian churches both inside and outside his kingdom. The benevolent king constructed a primitive ambulance for the sick and provided everything necessary for their recovery. He visited the infirm, encouraging them and caring for them like a father. The king always took with him a small pouch in which he carried alms for the poor. intelligent and well-lettered king spent his free time reading the Holy Scriptures and studying the sciences. He even carried his books with him to war, soliciting the help of donkeys and camels to transport his library. When he tired of reading, King David had others read to him, while he listened attentively. One of the king’s biographers recalls, “Each time David finished reading the Epistles, he put a mark on the last page. At the end of one year, we counted that he had read them twenty-four times.” David was also an exemplary writer. His “Hymns of Repentance” are equal in merit to the works of the greatest writers of the Church. most valiant, powerful, and righteous Georgian king left his heirs with a brilliant confession when he died. It recalled all the sins he had committed with profound lamentation and beseeched the Almighty God for forgiveness. David completed his will in 1125, and in the same year he abdicated and designated his son Demetre to be his successor. He entrusted his son with a sword, blessed his future, and wished him many years in good health and service to the Lord. The king reposed peacefully at the age of fifty-three. David the Restorer was buried at the entrance to Gelati Monastery. His final wish was carved in the stone of his grave: This is My rest for ever and ever; here I will dwell, for I have chosen her (Ps. 131:15). St Arsenius of Iqalto in Georgia, Commemorated on February 6; St Damiane (Demetrius) the King and Hymnographer, Commemorated on May 23;

Persia, 1092-1105, Persian-Turk Seljuk Suleiman Sultan, Barkiyaruq
Persia, 1092-1105, Persian-Turk Seljuk Suleiman Sultan, Barkiyaruq; Blessed David IV the King of Georgia, Commemorated on January 26; St Arsenius of Iqalto in Georgia, Commemorated on February 6;

Persia, 1100, 12th Century Folder, Persia-Turks, Shamkori, Azerbaijan Georgia Battle over Persia

Persia, 1105-1105, Malik-Shah II, Persian-Turk Seljuk Suleiman Sultan, deposed and killed by his uncle
Persia, 1105-1105, Persian-Turk Seljuk Suleiman Sultan, Malik-Shah II; II or Mu'izz ad-Din Malik Shah II Seljuq Sultan in Baghdad during 1105. was the grandson of Malik Shah I, and was theoretically the head of the dynasty, although his relative Ahmad Sanjar in Khorasan probably held more effective power. was deposed and killed by his uncle Muhammed Tapar. Blessed David IV the King of Georgia, Commemorated on January 26; St Arsenius of Iqalto in Georgia, Commemorated on February 6;

Persia, 1105-1118, Muhammad I, Persian-Turk Seljuk Suleiman Sultan, k nephew, theoretical power only, given Armenia & Azerbaijan
Persia, 1105-1118, Muhammad I, Persian-Turk Seljuk Suleiman Sultan, k nephew, theoretical power only, d sultan Rum 1107, d brother, given Armenia & Azerbaijan, 1106 c Ismali fortress of Shahdiz, d Iraq king of Arabs ; Persia 1105-1118, Persian-Turk Seljuk Suleiman Sultan, Mehmed I of Bagdad ; Shuja Ghiyath al-Dunya wa'l-Din Muhammad ibn Malik-Shah (1082 – 1118), better known as Muhammad I Tapar, the sultan of the Seljuk Empire from 1105 to 1118. was a son of Malik-Shah I (r. 1072-1092) and Taj al-Din Khatun Safariya.[1] Turkish, Tapar means "he who obtains, finds". was born in January 1082.[2] succeeded his nephew, Malik Shah II, as Seljuq Sultan in Baghdad, and thus was theoretically the head of the dynasty, his brother Ahmad Sanjar in Khorasan held more practical power. I probably allied himself with Radwan of Aleppo in the battle of the Khabur River against Kilij Arslan I, the sultan of Rüm, in 1107, in which the latter was defeated and killed.[3] the internecine conflict with his half brother, Barkiyaruq, he was given the title of malik and the provinces of Armenia and Azerbaijan. by this he revolted again, but had to flee back to Armenia. 1104, Barkiyaruq, ill and tired of war, agreed to divide the sultanate with Muhammad.[4] became sole sultan following the death of Barkiyaruq in 1105. 1106, Muhammad conquered the Ismaili fortress of Shahdiz, and ordered the Bavandid ruler Shahriyar IV to participate in his campaign against the Ismailis. greatly angered by the message Muhammad sent him, refused to aid him against the Ismailis.[5] after, Muhammad sent an army headed by Amir Chavli, who tried to capture Sari but was unexpectedly defeated by an army under Shahriyar and his son Qarin III. then sent a letter, which requested Shahriyar to send one of his sons to the Seljuq court in Isfahan.[6] sent his son Ali I, who impressed Muhammad so much that he offered him his daughter in marriage, but Ali refused and told him to grant the honor to his brother and heir of the Bavand dynasty, Qarin III. III then went to the Isfahan court and married her. 1106/1107, Ahmad ibn Nizam al-Mulk, the son of the famous vizier Nizam al-Mulk, went to the court of Muhammad I to file a complaint against the rais (head) of Hamadan. Ahmad arrived to the court, Muhammad I appointed him as his vizier, replacing Sa'd al-Mulk Abu'l-Mahasen Abi, who had been recently executed on suspicion of heresy. appointment was due mainly to the reputation of Ahmad's father. He was then given various titles which his father held (Qewam al-din, Sadr al-Islam and Nizam al-Mulk). I, along with his vizier Ahmad, later campaigned in Iraq, where they defeated and killed the Mazyadid ruler Sayf al-dawla Sadaqa ibn Mansur, who bore the title "king of the Arabs". 1109, Muhammad I sent Ahmad and Chavli Saqavu to capture the Ismaili fortresses of Alamut and Ostavand, but they failed to achieve any decisive result and withdrew.[7] was shortly replaced by Khatir al-Mulk Abu Mansur Maybudi as vizier of the Sejluq Empire. to Ali ibn al-Athir (a historian who lived about a hundred years later), Ahmad then retired to a private life in Baghdad, but, according to the contemporary biographer, Anushirvan ibn Khalid, Muhammad I had Ahmad imprisoned for ten years.[8] I died in 1118 and was succeeded by Mahmud II, although after Muhammad I's death Sanjar was clearly the chief power in the Seljuq realms. Blessed David IV the King of Georgia, Commemorated on January 26; St Arsenius of Iqalto in Georgia, Commemorated on February 6; St Arsenius of Iqalto in Georgia, Commemorated on February 6;

Persia, 1118-1152, Mahmud II, Persian-Turk Seljuk of Bagdad, r I & P, d by A Sanjar, Khorasan, m Ahmad's d, heir, gave N Persia
Persia, 1118-1152, Mahmud II of Great Seljuq, Persian-Turk Seljuk Sultan of Bagdad, ruled Iraq and Persia, defeated by Ahmad Sanjar in Khorasan & 5 kings incl Garsharp II in persia, married uncle Ahmad's daughter, became heir, gave up northern Persia; Persia, 1118-1152, Persian-Turk Seljuk Sultan, Mahmud II of Great Seljuq; II (c. 1105 – 1131) was the Seljuk sultan of Baghdad from 1118–1131 following the death of his father Muhammad I Tapar.[1] the time Mahmud was fourteen, and ruled over Iraq and Persia. Mahmud's early reign, his vassal king Garshasp II, who was a favorite of his father Muhammad I, fell into disgrace. about him spread to the court that made him lose confidence, and made Mahmud send a military force to Yazd where Garshasp was arrested and jailed in Jibal, while Yazd was granted to the royal cupbearer. however, escaped and returned to Yazd, where he requested protection from Mahmud's rival Ahmad Sanjar (Garshasp's wife was the sister of Ahmad). urged Ahmad to invade the domains of Mahmud in Central Persia, and gave him information on how to march to Central Persia, and the ways to combat Mahmud. accepted and advanced with an army to the west in 1119, where he together with five kings defeated Mahmud at Saveh.[1] The kings who aided Ahmad during the battle were Garshasp II himself, the emirs of Sistan and of Khwarazm,[1] and two other unnamed kings. being victorious, Ahmad then restored the domains of Garshasp II.[2] then proceeded as far as Baghdad, whereupon Mahmud was married to one of Sanjar's daughters, made his uncle's heir, and forced to give up strategic territories in northern Persia.[1] younger brother Mas'ud revolted against him in 1120, but the civil war ended the following year due to the intervention of the atabeg of Mosul, Aqsunqur al-Bursuqi, and Mas'ud was pardoned. 1126, al-Bursuqi was murdered by Assassins, believed have been under orders from Mahmud. 1127, he appointed Anushirvan ibn Khalid as his vizier, but had him removed from the office the following year. 1129 Mahmud officially recognized the authority of Zengi, who had supported him against a revolt led by al-Mustarshid, caliph of Baghdad, in Syria and northern Iraq. then aged 26, died in 1131. His death was followed by a civil war between his son Dawud, and his brothers Mas'ud, Suleiman-Shah, and Toghrul II. other son Alp Arslan ibn Mahmud was ruler of Mosul with atabeg Zengi. Blessed David IV the King of Georgia, Commemorated on January 26; St Arsenius of Iqalto in Georgia, Commemorated on February 6;

Persia, 1116-1156, Mesud I, Persian-Turk Seljuk Suleiman, turned on help, Alaeddin Mosque, defeated 2 Crusader Armies
Persia, 1116-1156, Mesud I, Persian-Turk Seljuk Suleiman Sultan, lost throne, got it back w help, turned on help, Alaeddin Mosque, defeated 2 Crusader Armies 1147 1148; Persia, 1116-1156, Persian-Turk Seljuk Suleiman Sultan, Mesud I; al-Dīn Mesud ibn Kilij Arslan or Mesud I the sultan of the Sultanate of Rûm from 1116 until his death in 1156. the defeat and death of his father Kilij Arslan fighting against Ridwan of Aleppo at the battle of Khabur river in 1107,[1] lost the throne in favor of his brother Malik Shah. the help of the Danishmends, Mesud captured Konya and defeated Malik Shah in 1116, later blinding and eventually murdering him. would later turn on the Danishmends and conquer some of their lands. 1130, he started construction of the Alaeddin Mosque in Konya, which was later completed in 1221.[2] towards the end of his reign, fought against the armies of the Second Crusade. led by emperor Conrad III of Germany and the other led by king Louis VII of France. defeated both of them; the first at the battle of Dorylaeum near modern Eskişehir in 1147[3] and the second army in Laodicea near modern Denizli in 1148. he died, Mesud was succeeded by his son Kilij Arslan II. one of Mesud's daughters married John Tzelepes Komnenos, a member of the royal house of Komnenos who had converted to Islam.[4] St Arsenius of Iqalto in Georgia, Commemorated on February 6;

Persia, 1152-1153, Malik-Shah III, Persian-Turk Seljuk Sultan, deposed by his brother, son rival claimant, 600K men to Georgia
Persia, 1152-1153, Persian-Turk Seljuk Sultan,Malik-Shah III; III (died 1160[1]) ruled as Sultan of Great Seljuq from 1152–53. was the son of Mahmud II of Great Seljuq. 1153, he was deposed and was succeeded by his brother, Muhammad. his death in 1160, his son Mahmud was held in Istakhr by the Salghurids as a rival claimant to the Seljuq throne.[2] Blessed David IV the King of Georgia, Commemorated on January 26;

Persia, 1156-1192, Kilij Arslan II, Persian-Turk Seljuk Sultan of Rum, great road at Konya, fought B, Crusaders and sons there
Persia, 1156-1192, Kilij Arslan II, Persian-Turk Seljuk Suleiman Sultan, related to germans, 1159 attacked Manuel I on great road at Iconium, 1161 d by M's nephew, 1173 against Mosul, 1175 B peace ended, 1176 d invading B, 1179 Henry I held for ransom paid by B, 1180 S coast of Anatolia, 1182 Cotyaeum f B, 1185 peace w B, but 1186 11 sons power, turned on Saladin to allow 3rd Crusade through, but sons fought C, oldest son back to Konya, Kilij refuge in Cappadocia, 1192 w son c Konya, died besieging Aksaray, promised son Kaykhusraw but brothers fight; Persia, 1156-1192, Persian-Turk Seljuk Suleiman Sultan, Kilij Arslan II; Arslan II was a Seljuk Sultan of Rum from 1156 until his death in 1192. Arnold of Lübeck reports in his Chronica Slavorum, he was present at the meeting of Henry the Lion with Kilij-Arslan during the former's pilgrimage to Jerusalem in 1172. they met near Tarsus, the sultan embraced and kissed the German duke, reminding him that they were blood cousins ('amplexans et deosculans eum, dicens, eum consanguineum suum esse'). the duke asked for details of this relationship, Kilij Arslan informed him that 'a noble lady from the land of Germans married a king of Russia who had a daughter by her; this daughter's daughter arrived to our land, and I descend from her.' 1159, Kilij Arslan attacked Byzantine emperor Manuel I Comnenus as he marched past Iconium (Konya, capital of Rüm), as Manuel returned from negotiating with Nur ad-Din Zengi in Syria. 1161 Manuel's nephew John Contostephanus defeated Kilij Arslan, and the sultan travelled to Constantinople in a show of submission.[1] 1173, Kilij Arslan, now at peace with the Byzantines, allied with Nur ad-Din against Mosul. The Tomb of Kilij Arslan II in the courtyard of Alâeddin Mosque, Konya peace treaty with the Byzantines lasted until 1175, when Kilij Arslan refused to hand over to Manuel the territory conquered from the Danishmends, although both sides had for some time been building up their fortifications and armies in preparation for a renewed war. Arslan tried to negotiate, but Manuel invaded the sultanate in 1176, intending to capture Iconium itself. Arslan was able to defeat Emperor Manuel I Komnenos's army at the Battle of Myriokephalon,[2] the Sultan forced the emperor to negotiate a fragile peace. 1179, Kilij Arslan captured and held to ransom Henry I, the renowned count of Champagne, who was returning overland from a visit to Jerusalem.[3] The ransom was paid by the Byzantine Emperor and Henry was released, but died soon afterwards. 1180, the sultan took advantage of the instability in the Byzantine Empire after Manuel's death to secure most of the southern coast of Anatolia, and sent his vizier Ikhtiyar al-Din to conclude an alliance with Saladin, Nur ad-Din's successor, that same year. in 1182, he succeeded in capturing the city of Cotyaeum from the Byzantines. 1185, he made peace with Emperor Isaac II Angelus, the next year he transferred power to his eleven sons, who immediately fought each other for control. Kilij Arslan's alliance with Saladin, he promised the armies of the Third Crusade, led by Frederick Barbarossa to freely pass through his territories; his sons who were local chieftains disagreed and fought against the Crusaders at the Battle of Philomelion and Battle of Iconium.[4] the Crusaders departure, his eldest son Qutb al-Din who led the Turks in the latter battle then fled afterwards, came back to control Konya; Kilij Arslan II escaped and took refuge in Kayseri. on, Qutb al-Din declared himself to be the new Sultan, but his father and his brother Kaykhusraw I drove him out of Konya in 1192, then chased him to Aksaray, and besieged the city. Arslan II died during the siege of Aksaray in August 1192, aged 77, after promising Kaykhusraw I the succession.[5] he was buried in the Alaeddin Kosku in Konya.[a] I's brothers continued to fight for control of the other parts of the sultanate.[7]

Persia, 1192-1196, Kaykhusraw I, Persian-Turk Seljuk, B mother, K on great road, fled to C, baptized, back to K, seized M port
Persia, 1192-1196 & 1205-1211, Kaykhusraw I, Persian-Turk Seljuk Suleiman Sultan, Byzantine mother, Konya on great road, 1197-1203 fled to C from bro, baptized in C, back to K in 1203 over father Kilji, 1207 seized M port Antalya & f mosque there Persia, 1192-1196, Persian-Turk Seljuk Suleiman Sultan, Kaykhusraw I; I, the eleventh and youngest son of Kilij Arslan II, was Seljuk Sultan of Rum. succeeded his father in 1192, but had to fight his brothers for control of the Sultanate, losing to his brother Suleiman II in 1196.[1] He ruled it 1192–1196 and 1205–1211. name "Kaykhusraw" is based on the name of the legendary Shahnameh hero Kay Khosrow.[2] date of birth is unknown. He was the eleventh and youngest son of Kilij Arslan II (r. 1156–1192). mother was of Byzantine ancestry. received a good education during his upbringing, learning other languages besides his native Turkish, which was Persian, Arabic, and Greek.[3] married a daughter of Manuel Maurozomes.[4] Manuel Maurozomes would hold the castles of Chonae and Laodicea as a vassal of Kaykhusraw.[5] 1192/93, Kaykhusraw returned the Byzantine nobleman, Theodore Mangaphas, to Emperor Isaac II after receiving assurances of Mangaphas treatment (a pardon).[6] his brother, Rukn ad-Din Suleiman Shah, quickly advancing towards Konya, Kaykhusraw fled to Constantinople in 1196.[7] lived in Constantinople from 1197–1203, possibly even being baptised.[8] A mathnawi written by Kaykhusraw himself compares his destiny during that period to that of the legendary Iranian hero Jam (Jamshid), who had to go into exile after losing his divine fortune (farr).[9] Suleiman's death and Kilij Arslan's ascension to the sultanate, Kaykhusraw forced his way into Konya, removed Kilij from power and was enthroned for a second time.[10] seized Antalya in 1207 from its Niceaen garrison which furnished the Seljuk sultanate with a port on the Mediterranean.[11] was during this year, Kaykhusraw founded a mosque in Antalya.[12] was killed at the Battle of Antioch on the Meander in 1211.[13] son Kayqubad I, by Manuel Maurozomes' daughter, ruled the Sultanate from 1220 to 1237, and his grandson, Kaykhusraw II, ruled from 1237 to 1246.[14] body was taken to Konya, where it was buried in the ancestral tomb of his family.[15] to Rustam Shukurov, Kaykhusraw I "had dual Christian and Muslim identity, an identity which was further complicated by dual Turkic/Persian and Greek ethnic identity".[16] Right-believing Tamara, Queen of Georgia, Commemorated on May 1;

Persia, 1195, battle near Shamkori, Georgia over Azerbaijan Persia
Georgia, 1195, battle near Shamkori, Azerbaijan, Georgia over Persia; St Eulogius of Salosi, the Prophet and Fool-for-Christ, Commemorated on April 1; St John Shavteli of Salosi, Bishop of Gaenati, Georgia, Commemorated on April 1; Right-believing Tamara, Queen of Georgia, Commemorated on May 1; Holy Queen Tamara, Commemorated on May 8; St Shalva of Akhaltsikhe, Commemorated on June 17;

Persia, 1196-1204, Rukn al-Din, Persian-Turk Seljuk of Rum, aka Suleiman II, overthrew bro, expanded sultanate, defeated by Georgians, suceeded by Kilij III
Persia, 1196-1204, Rukn al-Din, Persian-Turk Seljuk Suleiman Sultan of Rum, aka Suleiman II, overthrew bro, expanded sultanate, 1201 c Erzurum, wars over Byzantines, defeated by Georgians 1203, suceeded by Kilij III 1204-05, who lost to Kaykhusraw I; Persa, 1196-1204, Persian-Turk Seljuk Suleiman Sultan, Rukn al-Din; II, also known as Rukn ad-Din Suleiman Shah, was the Seljuk Sultan of Rum between 1196 and 1204.[1] of Kilij Arslan II, he overthrew his brother, Sultan Kaykhusraw I, and became sultan in 1196.[2] fought neighbouring rulers and expanded the territories of the Sultanate. In 1201, he conquered Erzurum, giving it as a fief to Mughith al-Din Tugrulshah in 1202.[3] Successful in the wars with the Byzantines, he was routed by the Georgians in the Battle of Basian of 1203.[4] was succeeded by his son Kilij Arslan III in 1204–1205,[5] after which Kaykhusraw I forced his way into Konya, removed Kilij from power and was enthroned for a second time.[5] St Eulogius of Salosi, the Prophet and Fool-for-Christ, Commemorated on April 1; St John Shavteli of Salosi, Bishop of Gaenati, Georgia, Commemorated on April 1; Right-believing Tamara, Queen of Georgia, Commemorated on May 1; St John of Shavtel-Gaenati, Commemorated on June 9;

Persia, 1200-1256, 13th Century Folder, Khwarazms, battles with Georgia, Sunni

Persia, 1203, Battle of Bassian, 60 K NE Erzurum, Georgia over Persian Turk Sultan Rukn al-Din
Georgia, 1202, Battle of Bassian, 60 K NE Erzurum; St. Eulogius of Salosi, the Prophet and Fool-for-Christ, Commemorated on April 1; Right-believing Tamara, Queen of Georgia, Commemorated on May 1;

Persia, 1220-1231, Jalal ad-Din Mingburnu, Persian Khwarazmian Sultan, fought Mongols, d by Genghis Khan, then a warlord
Persia, 1220-1231, Jalal ad-Din Mingburnu, Persian Khwarazmian Sultan, Sunni, able general, son of concubine, challanged as successor, fought Mongols, gathered army, dispute over spoils, defeated by Genghis Khan, then a warlord, no political ability, warlord army after his death ; Persia, 1220-1231, Persian Khwarazmian Sultan, Jalal ad-Din Mingburnu ; al-Din Mangburni (c.1199 - August 1231), the last Khwarazmshah of the Anushtegin dynasty. eldest son and successor of Ala ad-Din Muhammad II of the Khwarazmian Empire, al-Din was brought up at Gurganj, the wealthy capital of the Khwarezmid homeland. able general, he served as second-in-command to his father in at least one battle; however, since he was the son of a concubine, he was challenged as successor by a younger brother, whose cause was supported by the powerful Queen Mother, Turken Khatun. after the Mongol conquest of the Khwarazmian Empire led to his father's flight and death on an island in the Caspian Sea, Jalal-al Din gained the loyalty of the majority of Khwarazmian loyalists. new Shah moved to Gurganj, but departed eastwards after Terken Khatun moved against him; Mongol patrols, he gathered a substantial army at Ghazni. managed to inflict an excellent defeat on Shigi Qutuqu at the Battle of Parwan, soon lost a good portion of his army in a dispute over spoils. was defeated by a vengeful Genghis Khan at the Battle of the Indus, and fled across the river. essentially a warlord, Jalal al-Din managed to establish a succession of short-lived states: in the Punjab, from 1222-4, then in northwest Iran Georgia, after 1225. politics, Jalal al-Din did not have the ability which underpinned his martial exploits, and he was forced to combat several large revolts and increasing pressure from Mongol forces. he was killed by a Kurd in August 1231. army he had gathered would continue to terrorize the Levant as the mercenary Khwarazmiyya until its final defeat in 1246. St Tbeli Abuseridze, Commemorated on August 17; 100,000 Martyrs of Tbilisi by the Mongols, Commemorated on October 31; St Shalva of Akhaltsikhe, Commemorated on June 17;

Persia, 1227, Persian Khwarazms Attack Georgia, Sultan Jalal al-Din, Sunni
Persia, 1227, Persian Khwarazms Attack Georgia, Sultan Jalal al-Din attacked Georgia ; Sultan Jalal al-Din ; In 1227 Sultan Jalal al-Din of Khwarazm and his army of Turkmen attacked Georgia ; 100,000 Martyrs of Tbilisi by the Mongols, Commemorated on October 31 ;

Persia, 1227, 100K Martyrs, Tbilisi, Jalal al-Din, Khwarazm, repelled but inside m traitors opened gates at night
Georgia, 1227, Tbilisi, Kartli, Georgia Capital (Tiblisi River Mouth, Kura River 9), Jalal al-Din of Khwarazm, Turkmenistan attacked, Georgia repelled but inside moslem traitors opened the gates at night; Tbilisi; 100,000 Martyrs of Tbilisi by the Mongols, Commemorated on October 31 ; 1227 Sultan Jalal al-Din of Khwarazm and his army of Turkmen attacked Georgia. the first day of the battle the Georgian army valorously warded off the invaders as they were approaching Tbilisi. night, however, a group of Persians who were living in Tbilisi secretly opened the gates and summoned the enemy army into the city. to one manuscript in which this most terrible day in Georgian history was described: “Words are powerless to convey the destruction that the enemy wrought: tearing infants from their mothers’ breasts, they beat their heads against the bridge, watching as their eyes dropped from their skulls....” river of blood flowed through the city. The Turkmen castrated young children, raped women, and stabbed mothers to death over their children’s lifeless bodies. The whole city shuddered at the sound of wailing and lamentation. The river and streets of the city were filled with death. sultan ordered that the cupola of Sioni Cathedral be taken down and replaced by his vile throne. And at his command the icons of the Theotokos and our Savior were carried out of Sioni Cathedral and placed at the center of the bridge across the Mtkvari River. invaders goaded the people to the bridge, ordering them to cross it and spit on the holy icons. Those who betrayed the Christian Faith and mocked the icons were spared their lives, while the Orthodox confessors were beheaded. hundred thousand Georgians sacrificed their lives to venerate the holy icons. One hundred thousand severed heads and headless bodies were carried by the bloody current down the Mtkvari River.

Persia, 1370-1507, History Folder, Timurid Empire, Tammerlane's Dynasty, Sunni Muslim

Persia, 1300, 14th Century Folder, Timurid Empire

Persia, 1370-1405, Timurid Emperor, Tammerlane aka Timur
Persia, 1370-1405, Timurid Emperor, Tammerlane aka Timur ; Timurid Empire, 1370-1507, Sunni, Persia, the Caucasus, Central Asia, Afganistan ; Commemoration of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God and the deliverance of Moscow from the Invasion of Tamerlane, Commemorated on August 26; St Euphrosyne the Princess, (Eudoxia) of Moscow, Commemorated on May 17;

Persia, 1395, Tammerlane retreats after Dream, Vladimir Icon Mother of God (Don River 1, Kulikovo Pole)
Kulikovo Pole (Kulikovo Field); Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God and the deliverance of Moscow from the Invasion of Tamerlane, Commemorated on August 26 ; Tamerlane was sleeping in his tent. Suddenly, he saw in a dream a great mountain, at the summit of which were the holy hierarchs with golden staffs coming towards him. Above them, in a brilliant radiance, was a Majestic Woman. She commanded him to leave the domains of Russia. Awakening in fright, Tamerlane asked the meaning of the vision. The experts answered that the Radiant Lady was the Mother of God, the great Protectress of Christians. Tamerlane then gave the order for his troops to retreat.

Persia, 1395, Feast of the Dormition, Vladimir Icon sent to Moscow, same hour of meeting at Kuchkov, T's dream
Kulikovo Pole (Kulikovo Field); Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God and the deliverance of Moscow from the Invasion of Tamerlane, Commemorated on August 26 ; Tamerlane was sleeping in his tent. Suddenly, he saw in a dream a great mountain, at the summit of which were the holy hierarchs with golden staffs coming towards him. Above them, in a brilliant radiance, was a Majestic Woman. She commanded him to leave the domains of Russia. Awakening in fright, Tamerlane asked the meaning of the vision. The experts answered that the Radiant Lady was the Mother of God, the great Protectress of Christians. Tamerlane then gave the order for his troops to retreat. Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God was painted by the Evangelist Luke on a board from the table at which the Savior ate together with His All-Pure Mother and Righteous Joseph. The Mother of God, upon seeing this image, exclaimed, “Henceforth, all generations shall call Me blessed. The grace of both My Son and Me shall be with this icon.” the year 1131, the icon was sent from Constantinople to Rus to holy Prince Mstislav (April 15) and was installed in the Devichi monastery in Vyshgorod, the ancient appanage city of the holy Equal of the Apostles Princess Olga. son of George Dolgoruky, Saint Andrew Bogoliubsky, brought the icon to the city of Vladimir in 1155 and installed it in the renowned Dormition cathedral which he built. At this time the icon received its name of “the Vladimir Icon.” The icon was first brought to Moscow in the year 1395. Thus, the blessing of the Mother of God established the spiritual bonds of Byzantium and Rus via Kiev, Vladimir and Moscow. festal celebration of the Vladimir Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos occurs several times during the year (21 May, 23 June and 26 August). The most solemn celebration occurs on August 26, the Feast established in honor of the Meeting of the Vladimir Icon upon its Transfer from Vladimir to Moscow. the year 1395, the fearsome conqueror Khan Tamerlane (Temir-Aksak) reached the Ryazan frontier, took the city of Elets and advancing towards Moscow he came near the banks of the River Don. Great Prince Basil Dimitrievich went with an army to Kolomna and halted at the banks of the River Oka. He prayed to the holy Hierarchs of Moscow and Saint Sergius for the deliverance of the Fatherland, and he wrote to the Metropolitan of Moscow Saint Cyprian (September 16), that the pending Dormition Fast should be devoted to zealous prayers for mercy and repentance. were sent to Vladimir, where the famed wonderworking Vladimir Icon was. After Divine Liturgy and a Molieben on the feast of the Dormition, they clergy took the icon and brought it to Moscow. Along the way, on both sides of the road, countless people prayed kneeling: “O Mother of God, save the land of Russia!” At that same hour, when the people of Moscow were meeting the Vladimir Icon on Kuchkov Field, Tamerlane was sleeping in his tent. Suddenly, he saw in a dream a great mountain, at the summit of which were the holy hierarchs with golden staffs coming towards him. Above them, in a brilliant radiance, was a Majestic Woman. She commanded him to leave the domains of Russia. in fright, Tamerlane asked the meaning of the vision. The experts answered that the Radiant Lady was the Mother of God, the great Protectress of Christians. Tamerlane then gave the order for his troops to retreat. In memory of this miraculous deliverance of the Russian Land from Tamerlane, they built the monastery of the Meeting on Kuchkov Field, where the Meeting of the Vladimir Icon took place. On August 26, the all-Russian celebration in honor of the Meeting of the Vladimir Icon of the Most Holy Mother of God was established. important events in Russian Church history have occurred before the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God: the election and elevation of Saint Jonah, advocate of an Autocephalous Russian Church (1448), and of Saint Job, first Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia (1589), and of His Holiness Patriarch Saint Tikhon (1917). The enthronement of His Holiness Pimen, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, occurred on a day of celebration in honor of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God on May 21 (O.S.), 1971. historical days of 21 May, 23 June and 26 August, connected with this holy icon, have become memorable days for the Russian Orthodox Church.

Persia, 1395, Luke's Vladimir Icon, Grace of Jesus and MOG shall be with this Icon
Kulikovo Pole (Kulikovo Field); Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God and the deliverance of Moscow from the Invasion of Tamerlane, Commemorated on August 26 ; Tamerlane was sleeping in his tent. Suddenly, he saw in a dream a great mountain, at the summit of which were the holy hierarchs with golden staffs coming towards him. Above them, in a brilliant radiance, was a Majestic Woman. She commanded him to leave the domains of Russia. Awakening in fright, Tamerlane asked the meaning of the vision. The experts answered that the Radiant Lady was the Mother of God, the great Protectress of Christians. Tamerlane then gave the order for his troops to retreat. Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God was painted by the Evangelist Luke on a board from the table at which the Savior ate together with His All-Pure Mother and Righteous Joseph. The Mother of God, upon seeing this image, exclaimed, “Henceforth, all generations shall call Me blessed. The grace of both My Son and Me shall be with this icon.” the year 1131, the icon was sent from Constantinople to Rus to holy Prince Mstislav (April 15) and was installed in the Devichi monastery in Vyshgorod, the ancient appanage city of the holy Equal of the Apostles Princess Olga. son of George Dolgoruky, Saint Andrew Bogoliubsky, brought the icon to the city of Vladimir in 1155 and installed it in the renowned Dormition cathedral which he built. At this time the icon received its name of “the Vladimir Icon.” The icon was first brought to Moscow in the year 1395. Thus, the blessing of the Mother of God established the spiritual bonds of Byzantium and Rus via Kiev, Vladimir and Moscow. festal celebration of the Vladimir Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos occurs several times during the year (21 May, 23 June and 26 August). The most solemn celebration occurs on August 26, the Feast established in honor of the Meeting of the Vladimir Icon upon its Transfer from Vladimir to Moscow. the year 1395, the fearsome conqueror Khan Tamerlane (Temir-Aksak) reached the Ryazan frontier, took the city of Elets and advancing towards Moscow he came near the banks of the River Don. Great Prince Basil Dimitrievich went with an army to Kolomna and halted at the banks of the River Oka. He prayed to the holy Hierarchs of Moscow and Saint Sergius for the deliverance of the Fatherland, and he wrote to the Metropolitan of Moscow Saint Cyprian (September 16), that the pending Dormition Fast should be devoted to zealous prayers for mercy and repentance. were sent to Vladimir, where the famed wonderworking Vladimir Icon was. After Divine Liturgy and a Molieben on the feast of the Dormition, they clergy took the icon and brought it to Moscow. Along the way, on both sides of the road, countless people prayed kneeling: “O Mother of God, save the land of Russia!” At that same hour, when the people of Moscow were meeting the Vladimir Icon on Kuchkov Field, Tamerlane was sleeping in his tent. Suddenly, he saw in a dream a great mountain, at the summit of which were the holy hierarchs with golden staffs coming towards him. Above them, in a brilliant radiance, was a Majestic Woman. She commanded him to leave the domains of Russia. in fright, Tamerlane asked the meaning of the vision. The experts answered that the Radiant Lady was the Mother of God, the great Protectress of Christians. Tamerlane then gave the order for his troops to retreat. In memory of this miraculous deliverance of the Russian Land from Tamerlane, they built the monastery of the Meeting on Kuchkov Field, where the Meeting of the Vladimir Icon took place. On August 26, the all-Russian celebration in honor of the Meeting of the Vladimir Icon of the Most Holy Mother of God was established. important events in Russian Church history have occurred before the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God: the election and elevation of Saint Jonah, advocate of an Autocephalous Russian Church (1448), and of Saint Job, first Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia (1589), and of His Holiness Patriarch Saint Tikhon (1917). The enthronement of His Holiness Pimen, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, occurred on a day of celebration in honor of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God on May 21 (O.S.), 1971. historical days of 21 May, 23 June and 26 August, connected with this holy icon, have become memorable days for the Russian Orthodox Church.

Persia, 1501-1736, History Folder, Persain Safarid Dynasty, Shia Muslim

Persia, 1500, 16th Century Folder, Safarvids in Isfahan and Tabriz, Luther's 95 Theses

Persia, 1501-1736, Persian Safavid dynasty, at Isfahan, Shia Muslim
Persia, 1501-1736, Persian Safavid dynasty, at Isfahan, Shia Muslim; 6,000 Martyrs of the St David Gareji Monastery, Georgia, Commemorated on April 26; St Gerasimus of Boldino, Commemorated on May 1; Fathers martyred by the Dagestanians, Commemorated on June 1;

Persia, 1501-1736, Persian Safavid Dynasty, at Tabriz, Shia Muslim
Persia, 1501-1736, Persian Safavid Dynasty, at Tabriz, Shia Muslim; St Gerasimus of Boldino, Commemorated on May 1;

Persia, 1517, Ninety Five Theses, Martin Luther, Protestant
Germany, 1517, Ninety Five Theses, Martin Luther, Protestant; Germany, 1503-1546, Martin Luther, Protestant ; Wittenberg, Germany ; Lutherhaus; MARTIN LUTHER, EDUCATOR, TRANSLATOR (18 FEB 1546); JAN HUS, PRIEST and MARTYR, 6 July 1415;

Persia, 1588-1629, Abbas 1, Isfahan, Shia, Great b ghilman system, rid deep state, r lost provinces, Kakheti deportations
Persia, 1588-1629, Persian Safavid Shah, Abbas 1, Isfahan; the Great or Abbas I of Persia (27 January 1571 - 19 January 1629) was the 5th Safavid Shah (king) of Iran, and is generally considered as one of the greatest rulers of Iranian history and the Safavid dynasty. He was the third son of Shah Mohammad Khodabanda.[3] Abbas would preside over the apex of Iran's military, political and economic power, he came to the throne during a troubled time for the Safavid Empire. his weak-willed father, the country was riven with discord between the different factions of the Qizilbash army, who killed Abbas' mother and elder brother. Meanwhile, Iran's enemies, the Ottoman Empire (its archrival) and the Uzbeks, exploited this political chaos to seize territory for themselves. 1588, one of the Qizilbash leaders, Murshid Qoli Khan, overthrew Shah Mohammed in a coup and placed the 16-year-old Abbas on the throne. However, Abbas soon seized power for himself. his leadership, Iran developed the ghilman system where thousands of Circassian, Georgian, and Armenian slave-soldiers joined the civil administration and the military. With the help of these newly created layers in Iranian society (initiated by his predecessors but significantly expanded during his rule), Abbas managed to eclipse the power of the Qizilbash in the civil administration, the royal house, and the military. These actions, as well as his reforms of the Iranian army, enabled him to fight the Ottomans and Uzbeks and reconquer Iran's lost provinces, including Kakheti whose people he subjected to widescale massacres and deportations. the end of the 1603–1618 Ottoman War, Abbas had regained possession over Transcaucasia and Dagestan, as well as swaths of Eastern Anatolia and Mesopotamia. He also took back land from the Portuguese and the Mughals and expanded Iranian rule and influence in the North Caucasus, beyond the traditional territories of Dagestan. was a great builder and moved his kingdom's capital from Qazvin to Isfahan, making the city the pinnacle of Safavid architecture. In his later years, following a court intrigue involving several leading Circassians, Abbas became suspicious of his own sons and had them killed or blinded. The Placing of the Honorable Robe of the Lord at Moscow, Commemorated on July 10; Persian Capture of Tbilisi and G war 1616 Shah Abbas 1 ; Hieromartyr Kozman, Commemorated on July 18; 9 Kherkheulidze Brothers with their Mother and Sister and Nine Thousand Martyrs of Marabda, Commemorated on August 3; Icon of the Mother of God of Georgia, Commemorated August 22 ; St Nicholas the Catholicos of Georgia, Commemorated February 18 ; Greatmartyr Ketevan the Queen of Georgia, Commemorated on September 13; St Nicholas the Catholicos of Georgia, Commemorated on February 18; 6,000 Martyrs of the St David Gareji Monastery, Georgia, Commemorated on April 26; Martyr Luarsab II the King of Georgia, Commemorated on June 21;

Persia, 1589-1613, Persian Iman, Allahverdi Khan, ghilman syatem military slave from Georgia
Persia, 1589-1613, Persian Iman, Allahverdi Khan from Georgia Khan (c. 1560 - June 3, 1613) was an Iranian general and statesman of Georgian origin who, initially a gholÄm ("military slave"), rose to high office in the Safavid state. Beg Munshi, the Safavid court historian at the time, describes him as "one of the most powerful statesman to hold office under this dynasty", and a "man of great forbearance, modest and chaste.â€[1] Abbas I demonstrated his genuine respect and affection for him by personally supervising the funeral arrangements, and by going to his house the day after his death to offer his personal condolences to his family.[1] Persian Iman, 1610-1633, Imam-Quli Khan from Georgia ; Greatmartyr Ketevan the Queen of Georgia, Commemorated on September 13; St Nicholas the Catholicos of Georgia, Commemorated on February 18;

Persia, 1600, 17th Century Folder, Sarafids Capture Tbilisi, Gareji Fathers Martyred by Dagestani

Persia, 1605-1639, George III of Georgia, challanged by Levan II, alligned with Teimuraz by a m, defeated by Levan
Georgia, 1605-1639, King George III of Imereti; III (died 1639), of the Bagrationi Dynasty, was a king of Imereti from 1605 to 1639. was a natural half-brother of Rostom of Imereti on whose death he succeeded in 1605, but his authority was seriously challenged by the energetic prince of Mingrelia, Levan II Dadiani, whose increasing influence over the western Georgian polities George tried to restrict without any success. In 1623, Levan, with a combined Mingrelian-Abkhaziann army, inflicted a heavy defeat upon the royal troops. his quest for allies, George established close ties with the influential eastern Georgian noble Giorgi Saakadze who employed an Imeretian force in his struggle against King Teimuraz I of Kakheti. Saakadze's defeat in 1626, George made an alliance with Teimuraz and arranged a marriage between his son, Alexander (III), and Teimuraz's daughter Darejan (1629). This, however, failed to bring the feudal anarchy in Imereti to an end and the unrest continued. in his reign, George III once again campaigned against Levan Dadiani, but was defeated and taken captive. He was ransomed by his son Alexander, but George did not live long and died in 1639. III of Imereti was married to the certain Tamar (died 1639). He had four sons and one daughter: Alexander III (1609–1 March 1660), King of Imereti; Rostom (fl. 1619–1639); Mamuka (died 1654), military commander; Beri, Archbishop of Gelati as Svimeon Genateli (fl. 1639); Khvaramze (fl. 1619–1626), married to Avtandil Saakadze (died 1629), son of Giorgi Saakadze. Greatmartyr Ketevan the Queen of Georgia, Commemorated on September 13; 6,000 Martyrs of the St David Gareji Monastery, Georgia, Commemorated on April 26; Martyrs of Lazeti, Commemorated on April 29; Martyr Luarsab II the King of Georgia, Commemorated on June 21;

Persia, 1610-1632, Imam-Quli Khan, Georgian, Shia, son of ghilman system military slave
Persia, 1610-1632, Imam-Quli Khan, Georgian, Shia; Khan (died 1632) was an Iranian military and political leader of Georgian origin who served as a governor of Fars, Lar and Bahrain for the shahs Abbas I and Safi. Shiraz; Venerable Christodoulos the Philosopher, Commemorated on August 18; Greatmartyr Ketevan the Queen of Georgia, Commemorated September 13 ; Martyr Luarsab II the King of Georgia, Commemorated on June 21;

Persia, 1614-1629, Persian Safavid Shah, Abbas I, 1614 Tabriz, Persia, had to return Shio's r
Persia, 1614-1629, Persian Safavid Shah, Abbas I, 1614 Tabriz, Persia, had to return Shio's r; during one of the Persian invasions, the soldiers of Shah Abbas uncovered the holy father’s relics and carried them back to Persia. In the same year Persia was ravaged by a terrible plague, and the frightened invaders returned the holy relics to the Shio-Mgvime Monastery. Persia, 1588-1629, Persian Safavid Shah, Abbas I, Tabriz, Persia, 1614 ; Safavid dynasty ; Tabriz, Persia; 9 Kherkheulidze Brothers with their Mother and Sister and Nine Thousand Martyrs of Marabda, Commemorated on August 3; Icon of the Mother of God of Georgia, Commemorated August 22 ; Martyr Evdemoz the Catholicos of Georgia, Commemorated on October 4; Repose of the Venerable Shio the Anchorite of Georgia, Commemorated on May 9; St Kaikhosro the Georgian, Commemorated on June 16;

Persia, 1616, Capture of Tbilisi and Gokce war, Resetlement of Georgians to mainland Persia
Shah Abbas 1; Persian Capture of Tbilisi and Gokce war 1616 Shah Abbas 1; St Nicholas the Catholicos of Georgia, Commemorated February 18 ;

Persia, 1616, 6,000 Martyrs of David Gareja, Georgia, angel gave them choice, die and be or flee, myrrh to this day
Georgia, 1616, 6,000 Martyrs of David Gareja monastery complex, Kakheti, Georgia (Iori River 4), while, Celebrating Resurrection with lights, angel gave them choice, die and be or flee, only 2 fled, rose bush in dry soil, bones stream myrrh to this day; David Gareja monastery complex (Georgia) ; 6,000 Martyrs of the St David Gareji Monastery, Georgia, Commemorated on April 26; 1616 the Persian shah Abbas I led his enormous army in an attack on Georgia. quenched his thirst for the blood of the Christians, he arranged a hunt in the valley of Gare (Outer) Kakheti. He encamped with his escorts in the mountains of Gareji and spent the night in that place. midnight the shah’s attention was drawn to a flaming column of lights advancing up the mountain. At first he took it to be an apparition. He was soon informed, however, that a famous monastery was situated in that place and on that night the monks were circling their church three times with lighted candles in celebration of Christ’s Holy Resurrection. Immediately the shah commanded his army to march to the monastery and destroy all those found celebrating. same night an angel of the Lord appeared to Abbot Arsenius of David-Gareji and told him, “Our Lord Jesus Christ is calling the brothers to His Heavenly Kingdom. On this night great suffering awaits you—you will be killed by the sword. He who desires to prolong his earthly life, let him flee, but he who thirsts to purify his soul for eternity, let him perish by the sword, and the Lord God will adorn him with the crown of immortality. Tell this to all who dwell in the monastery, and let each man choose for himself!” abbot informed the monks about his vision, and they began to prepare for their imminent sufferings. Only two young monks feared death and fled to a mountain not far from the monastery. the chanting of the Lord’s Prayer near the end of the Paschal Liturgy, the monastery was completely surrounded by Persian warriors. Abbot Arsenius stepped out of the church and approached their leader to request that the monks be given a bit more time to finish the service and for all the brothers to receive Holy Communion. Persians consulted among themselves and agreed to honor this request. The fathers partook of the Holy Gifts, encouraged one another, and presented themselves clad in festive garments before the unbelievers. the Persians beheaded Abbot Arsenius; then they massacred his brothers in Christ without mercy. the Persians finished killing the monks, they were organized into several regiments and made their way towards the other monasteries of the Gareji Wilderness. Halfway between the Chichkhituri and Saint John the Baptist Monasteries the Muslims captured the two young monks who had earlier fled and demanded that they convert to Islam. monks refused to abandon the Christian Faith and for this they were killed. A rose bush grew up in the place where they were killed and continued to fragrantly blossom through the 19th century, despite the dry and rocky soil. the end of the 17th century, King Archil gathered the bones of the martyrs with great reverence and buried them in a large stone reliquary to the left of the altar in the Transfiguration Church of David-Gareji Monastery. Their holy relics continue to stream myrrh to this day. brothers of the Monasteries of Saint David of Gareji and Saint John the Baptist received a blessing from Catholicos Anton I to compose a commemorative service for the martyrs and to designate their feast day as Bright Tuesday, or the third day of Holy Pascha.

Persia, 1622, Georgia Icon to Archangelsk from Persia, via MOG
Russia, Vologda, 1622, Georgia Icon to Archangelsk from Persia, via MOG; 1622, the Persian Shah Abbas I, after the devastating invasion of Orthodox Georgia, took part of the Robe of the Lord, and some especially revered icons. Three years later, when the Russian clerk Stephen Lazarev, who was in Persia to do some trading, a certain person from the Shah's retinue offered to let him purchase one of the stolen Georgian icons: an icon of the Most Holy Theotokos. At the same time, at Yaroslavl, the merchant Gregory Lytkin, by whom Stephen was employed, had a revelation of his clerk's imminent arrival with the precious acquisition. had been instructed by a voice from above to take the Icon from Yaroslavl to Arkhangelsk, near the Pinega River. Here, 16 versts from Kholmogorsk, was the Black Mountain monastery (which took its name from the mountain, on which a church was built in 1603.) Later, it was called Krasnogorsk (Beautiful Mountain). the merchant delivered the Georgian Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos in 1629, during the reign of Tsar Michael. On August 22, with a large contingent of the faithful, the Icon was reverently placed in the monastery. At the same time, the miraculous healing of the blind and deaf monk Pitirim took place. The subsequent manifestations of the Icon's miraculous power prompted Metropolitan Nikon of Novgorod (later the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia) to investigate. Afterward, from 1650, the annual celebration of this Icon took place on August 22, the day of its arrival at Krasnogorsk Monastery. that time, the Georgian Icon of the Mother of God was brought to Arkhangelsk each year with honors. The revered Icon was left for a certain time in the main cathedral of the city, for the sanctification of the city and of the Christ-loving people. During the reign of Tsar Alexei (1645-1676), the miraculous Icon was taken to Vologda, Great Ustyug, Pereyaslavl-Zalessky, and Siberia. Archangelsk; Icon of the Mother of God of Georgia, Commemorated on August 22; 1622, the Persian Shah Abbas I, after the devastating invasion of Orthodox Georgia, took part of the Robe of the Lord, and some especially revered icons. Three years later, when the Russian clerk Stephen Lazarev, who was in Persia to do some trading, a certain person from the Shah's retinue offered to let him purchase one of the stolen Georgian icons: an icon of the Most Holy Theotokos. At the same time, at Yaroslavl, the merchant Gregory Lytkin, by whom Stephen was employed, had a revelation of his clerk's imminent arrival with the precious acquisition. had been instructed by a voice from above to take the Icon from Yaroslavl to Arkhangelsk, near the Pinega River. Here, 16 versts from Kholmogorsk, was the Black Mountain monastery (which took its name from the mountain, on which a church was built in 1603.) Later, it was called Krasnogorsk (Beautiful Mountain). the merchant delivered the Georgian Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos in 1629, during the reign of Tsar Michael. On August 22, with a large contingent of the faithful, the Icon was reverently placed in the monastery. At the same time, the miraculous healing of the blind and deaf monk Pitirim took place. The subsequent manifestations of the Icon's miraculous power prompted Metropolitan Nikon of Novgorod (later the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia) to investigate. Afterward, from 1650, the annual celebration of this Icon took place on August 22, the day of its arrival at Krasnogorsk Monastery. that time, the Georgian Icon of the Mother of God was brought to Arkhangelsk each year with honors. The revered Icon was left for a certain time in the main cathedral of the city, for the sanctification of the city and of the Christ-loving people. During the reign of Tsar Alexei (1645-1676), the miraculous Icon was taken to Vologda, Great Ustyug, Pereyaslavl-Zalessky, and Siberia. 1654, Hieromonk Makarios of Krasnogorsk Monastery brought the Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos (which had been brought from Persia) to Moscow for restoration, and to be covered with a new riza. It was placed in the newly-built church, dedicated to the Life-giving Trinity, at Nikitnikov Lane near the Saint Barbara Gate, where the Kremlin masters carried on their iconographic work. Gregory Nikitnikov had built the church on his property at his own expense (1628-1651). In the church was a chapel dedicated to Saint Nikḗtas (September 15). Members of the Nikitnikov family were also entombed there. that time, a plague or pestilence was raging in Moscow. At the request of the master silversmith Gabriel Evdokimov, whose son was near death, a Moleben was served in his house before the Georgian Icon of the Mother of God from Krasnogorsk Monastery. The patient soon recovered. In gratitude for this miraculous healing, a copy of Georgian Icon was made and placed in Holy Trinity church. From that time, the church was also called Georgian. gracious help of the Most Holy Theotokos continued to be conferred by the aforementioned copy of her Icon. During the plague epidemic of 1654, the Moscow merchant Stephanov prayed continuously to the Queen of Heaven. The Most Holy Virgin appeared to him three times in a dream saying: "Pray to the Georgian Theotokos, on the Glinishchi at the mills, and you will be spared." The Holy Trinity church at Nikitniki was also called the church of the Great Martyr Nikḗtas (one of the chapels) on Glinishchi, near the mills. The merchant did not take his family from Moscow as he intended, but began to pray fervently in the Holy Trinity church. The epidemic did not touch him or his family. Churchwide celebration of the Georgian Icon of the Mother of God was established with the blessing of Patriarch Nikon in 1654. In 1698, the caretaker of the Moscow printing house Theodore Polikarpov compiled a second edition of the Service. the liberation of Moscow from Napoleon's troops, on December 1, 1812 the wonderworking Georgian Icon of the Mother of God, along with other miraculous Icons of the Most Holy Theotokos (Vladimir, Iveron, and Assuage my Sorrows) were carried in solemn procession around the Kremlin. 1904, a chapel was built in Holy Trinity church in honor of the Georgian Icon of the Mother of God. Now this Icon is in the church of the Holy Trinity in Nikitnikov (Razin Street). healings were granted by the Most Holy Theotokos through her wonderworking Icon, which were documented and verified at the end of the XIX century. For example, on June 17, 1887, Lydia Tserkovnitskaya, the wife of a priest in the village of Shuysk, Vologda Province, was critically ill. She recovered after praying before the wonderworking Georgian Icon. There is historical evidence of four more Georgian icons of the Most Holy Theotokos. the Georgian Icon of the Mother of God, which was in Moscow's Alekseevsky Convent, church evidence reports that it is not a copy of the Icons from Krasnogorsk Monastery nor from Holy Trinity church at Nikitnikov, which were brought from Georgia. In the same deadly plague epidemic of 1654, one of the nuns at the Alekseev Convent fell ill. While she addressed long prayers to the Heavenly Healer, the sick woman suddenly remembered the miraculous recovery she had heard about from the Icon of the Mother of God, which is in the church of the Life-giving Trinity by Saint Barbara's Gate. However, there was no one to send there. After some time, an unknown monk came to the Convent. Turning to the sick nun, he said: "Do not be sad that the Georgian Icon of the Mother of God cannot be brought here. You have here exactly the same Icon as the one brought from Georgia. You will find it in the cave, and you shall behold God's mercy." allegorical meaning of these words became clear afterward in the monastery sacristy, which was laid out like caves, when a hitherto unknown Icon of the Mother of God was discovered. After a Moleben, the miraculous Icon was carried to the cells of the nuns who were suffering from the pestilence. All of them were healed. From that time, the epidemic in Moscow began to abate. the prayerful intercession of the Georgian Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos at the Alekseev Convent, the blind Princess Martha Prozorovskaya received miraculous healing in 1662. She gained her sight by the prayers of her parents, after seven years of serious illness. the northwest of Kazan, 18 versts from the city of Sviyazhsk, in the middle of the XVII century was the Raithu communal Hermitage of the Theotokos, which got its name from one of its churches, which was dedicated to the Venerable Fathers slain at Sinai and Raithu (January 14). Tradition states that during the construction of the monastery, Metropolitan Laurence of Kazan, by a revelation from above, sent the best local iconographers to Pinega, to the Krasnogorsk Monastery, which was very far from Kazan, in order to make a faithful copy of the wonderworking Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, which was brought from Persia. 1661, a skillfully executed copy of the Georgian Icon of the Mother of God was delivered from Arkhangelsk. It became highly revered by the local population. Subsequently, this Icon was placed in the cathedral church in honor of the Most Holy Theotokos. the XVIII century, the pious peasants of the village of Klyucharev, Korchev county, Tver Province, presented the caretaker of the Moscow Archangel Cathedral with a copy of the Georgian Icon of the Mother of God, which became highly regarded by the locals, when the rye crop was threatened with destruction in the late 1860s. Vast fields of newly-sprouted crops were being eaten by an unknown worm, and nothing they did was of any use. Then the peasants prayed for help to the Most Holy Theotokos, whose Georgian Icon they revered. After a Cross Procession around the fields with the Icon, a sudden, unprecedented torrential rain fell. Streams of water washed the worms out of the ground, which were eaten by a large flock of birds. See also other revered copies of the Georgian Icon of the Mother of God in the Protection church at Vorontsov Field, and in the Holy Cross Church in the city of Tula. Icon disappeared after the closure of the monastery (1920-1922), and later it was returned to the monastery. In his 1946 report to the Moscow Patriarchate, Bishop Leonty (Smirnov) of Arkhangelsk states that the Georgian Icon was carried in a procession, which took place at Arkhangelsk in 1946. The further fate of the Georgian Icon is unknown. St Spyridon the Patriarch, Commemorated on August 30; Venerable Tryphon the Abbot of Vyatka, Commemorated on October 8; Hieromartyr Hilarion, Archbishop of Vereiya, Commemorated December 15 ; Repose of St John of Kronstadt, Commemorated December 20 ; Glorification of St John of Kronstadt, Commemorated on June 8 ; Venerable Elisha of Suma, Solovki, Commemorated on June 14; Venerable Nikon of Optina, Commemorated on June 25 ;

Persia, 1625, Battle of Martkopi, Georgia defeats Persia
Martkopi, Georgia; 9 Kherkheulidze Brothers with their Mother and Sister and Nine Thousand Martyrs of Marabda, Commemorated August 3 ; the Feast of the Annunciation in the year 1625, the Georgians annihilated the army of the Persian shah Abbas I in the Battle of Martqopi. The victory unified Georgia’s eastern provinces of Kartli and Kakheti. It also instilled hope in other enslaved peoples of the Transcaucasus, and rebellions began to break out everywhere. the enraged Shah Abbas marched his finest and largest army toward Georgia under the leadership of Isa-Khan Qurchibash. A Georgian army of some twenty thousand men encamped near Kojori-Tabakhmela in preparation for the attack, while the enemy’s army, which numbered in excess of fifty thousand men, encamped at Marabda. According to tradition, the Georgian soldiers received Holy Communion at dawn before the battle. Domenti (Avalishvili) of Ruisi prepared to serve the Holy Gifts to the soldiers but they cried out with a single voice: “If you will join us and take up your sword and fight, then do so. We can receive Holy Communion from another!” by these words, the bishop joined in, proclaiming, “Today we will fight a battle for faith and for Christ; therefore my blood must be spilled before yours!” With his vestments as armor, the bishop blessed the soldiers and took his place in the front line. banner of the Georgian army was entrusted to the nine Kherkheulidze brothers. Persians panicked upon coming face-to-face with the courage and fortitude of the Georgian soldiers, but the experienced commander Isa-Khan Qurchibash would not yield in battle. Help arrived from Beglerbeg Shaybani-Khan, and with the extra forces the Persians soon gained the advantage over the Georgian army. The Georgian colonel Teimuraz Mukhranbatoni was fatally wounded, and rumors of his death threw the soldiers into a frenzy, since they erroneously believed that the dead man was King Teimuraz I of Kakheti, the commander of their army. that their leader had fallen, the Georgian soldiers became anxious and their army was enfeebled. Before long they recognized their mistake, but it was too late—the fate of the battle had already been decided. military leaders Davit Jandieri, Aghatang Kherkheulidze and Baadur Tsitsishvili and the bishops of Rustavi and Kharchasho all fell in the battle at Marabda. The nine banner-bearing Kherkheulidze brothers were also killed. When the banner that had led their army through the battles at Didgori and Basiani fell from the hands of the youngest brother, their sister grabbed hold of it immediately, and when she also fell, the banner and symbol of Georgian invincibility was raised up again by their mother. Teimuraz fought until sunset, when every sword he had held in his hands had been broken. Even his rings were broken in the combat. The uniform of the brilliant military leader Giorgi Saakadze was stained with blood from top to bottom. Atabeg Manuchar of Samtskhe and his sons also fought bravely in this battle. exhausted and debilitated by the heat, the Georgians fought heroically to the last moment. But the battle that had begun at dawn finally ended late that night with the defeat of the Georgian army. Nine thousand Georgians gave their lives for Christ and their motherland on the battlefield at Marabda. St Anthony the Founder of Monasticism in Georgia, Commemorated on January 19 ; St Macarius the Stylite of Martkobsk, Georgia, Commemorated on January 19 ;

Persia, 1625, Battle of Marabda, Persia defeats Georgia
Georgia, 1625, Battle of Marabda, Persia defeats Georgia Marabda; 9 Kherkheulidze Brothers with their Mother and Sister and Nine Thousand Martyrs of Marabda, Commemorated August 3 ; the Feast of the Annunciation in the year 1625, the Georgians annihilated the army of the Persian shah Abbas I in the Battle of Martqopi. The victory unified Georgia’s eastern provinces of Kartli and Kakheti. It also instilled hope in other enslaved peoples of the Transcaucasus, and rebellions began to break out everywhere. the enraged Shah Abbas marched his finest and largest army toward Georgia under the leadership of Isa-Khan Qurchibash. A Georgian army of some twenty thousand men encamped near Kojori-Tabakhmela in preparation for the attack, while the enemy’s army, which numbered in excess of fifty thousand men, encamped at Marabda. According to tradition, the Georgian soldiers received Holy Communion at dawn before the battle. Domenti (Avalishvili) of Ruisi prepared to serve the Holy Gifts to the soldiers but they cried out with a single voice: “If you will join us and take up your sword and fight, then do so. We can receive Holy Communion from another!” by these words, the bishop joined in, proclaiming, “Today we will fight a battle for faith and for Christ; therefore my blood must be spilled before yours!” With his vestments as armor, the bishop blessed the soldiers and took his place in the front line. banner of the Georgian army was entrusted to the nine Kherkheulidze brothers. Persians panicked upon coming face-to-face with the courage and fortitude of the Georgian soldiers, but the experienced commander Isa-Khan Qurchibash would not yield in battle. Help arrived from Beglerbeg Shaybani-Khan, and with the extra forces the Persians soon gained the advantage over the Georgian army. The Georgian colonel Teimuraz Mukhranbatoni was fatally wounded, and rumors of his death threw the soldiers into a frenzy, since they erroneously believed that the dead man was King Teimuraz I of Kakheti, the commander of their army. that their leader had fallen, the Georgian soldiers became anxious and their army was enfeebled. Before long they recognized their mistake, but it was too late—the fate of the battle had already been decided. military leaders Davit Jandieri, Aghatang Kherkheulidze and Baadur Tsitsishvili and the bishops of Rustavi and Kharchasho all fell in the battle at Marabda. The nine banner-bearing Kherkheulidze brothers were also killed. When the banner that had led their army through the battles at Didgori and Basiani fell from the hands of the youngest brother, their sister grabbed hold of it immediately, and when she also fell, the banner and symbol of Georgian invincibility was raised up again by their mother. Teimuraz fought until sunset, when every sword he had held in his hands had been broken. Even his rings were broken in the combat. The uniform of the brilliant military leader Giorgi Saakadze was stained with blood from top to bottom. Atabeg Manuchar of Samtskhe and his sons also fought bravely in this battle. exhausted and debilitated by the heat, the Georgians fought heroically to the last moment. But the battle that had begun at dawn finally ended late that night with the defeat of the Georgian army. Nine thousand Georgians gave their lives for Christ and their motherland on the battlefield at Marabda.

Persia, 1629-1642, Safi, Safavid Shah, at 18 executed all his foes, uneducated, wine and opium, drinking contest death
Persia, 1629-1642, Persian Safavid Shah, Safi of Persia; Mirza (1611 - 12 May 1642), better known by his dynastic name of Shah Safi, was the sixth Safavid shah (king) of Iran, ruling from 1629 to 1642. life[edit] was given the name Sam Mirza when he was born. He was the son of Mohammad Baqer Mirza, the eldest son of Shah Abbas I, and Dilaram Khanum, a Georgian wife.[1] In 1615, Abbas had Mohammed Baqer killed, fearing he was plotting against his life. Over the next few years, the suspicious Abbas killed or blinded his other sons, leaving his grandson Safi heir to the throne. (also known as Rustam Khan), viceroy of Kartli, eastern Georgia, from 1633 to 1658. was crowned on 28 January 1629 at the age of eighteen.[citation needed] He ruthlessly eliminated anyone he regarded as a threat to his power, executing almost all the Safavid royal princes as well as leading courtiers and generals. He paid little attention to the business of government and had no cultural or intellectual interests (he had never learned to read or write properly), preferring to spend his time drinking wine or indulging in his addiction to opium. Supposedly, however, he abhorred tobacco smoke as much as his grandfather did, going as far as to have those caught smoking tobacco in public killed by pouring molten lead in their mouths.[citation needed] dominant political figure of Safi's reign was Saru Taqi, appointed grand vizier in 1634. Saru Taqi was incorruptible and highly efficient at raising revenues for the state, but he could also be autocratic and arrogant. foreign enemies took the opportunity to exploit Safi's perceived weakness. Despite firm initial Safavid successes and humiliating defeats in the Ottoman–Safavid War (1623–1639) by Safi's grandfather and predecessor Shah Abbas the Great, the Ottomans, having had their economy and military stabilized and reorganized under Sultan Murad IV made incursions in the west in one year following Safi's ascension to the throne. In 1634 they briefly occupied Yerevan and Tabriz and in 1638 they finally succeeded in recapturing Baghdad Reconquest of Baghdad (1638) and other parts of Mesopotamia (Iraq) which, despite being taken again several times later on in history by the Persians and most notably by Nader Shah, it would all remain in their hands until the aftermath of World War I. Nevertheless, the Treaty of Zuhab which ensued in 1639 put an end to all further wars between the Safavids and the Ottomans. Apart from the Ottoman wars, Iran was troubled by the Uzbeks and Turkmens in the east and briefly lost Kandahar in their easternmost territories to the Mughals in 1638, due to what seems as an act of revenge by their own governor over the region, Ali Mardan Khan, after being dismissed from office.[2] 1636 he received a trade delegation from Frederick III, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp, which included Adam Olearius. Olearius wrote a book about this visit in 1647, which was widely published in Europe. In 1639, Safi sent a return delegation to Holstein-Gottorp, bestowing gifts on the Duke.[3] However, the Duke did not succeed in his ultimate aim - starting a regular trading relationship with Iran (and Russia) and making the Duke's newly founded town of Friedrichstadt into a European trade terminus. died on 12 May 1642 and was buried in Qom. He was succeeded by his son Abbas II. His death was related to heavy drinking. According to one account, found in Archangelo Lamberti's Relation de la Colchide ou Mengrellie (1654), Safi died in a drinking contest with a certain Scedan Cilaze (Chiladze), a renowned Georgian drinking champion invited to Isfahan from Mingrelia.[4] Martyr Evdemoz the Catholicos of Georgia, Commemorated on October 4;

Persia, 1630, Dagestani Raid on David Gareja Monastery
Dagestani Raid on David Gareja Monastery 1630 Abbas I of Persia attack on Georgia (1616) ; Hieromartyr Kozman, Commemorated on July 18; 6,000 Martyrs of the St David Gareji Monastery, Georgia, Commemorated on April 26;

Persia, 1642-1666, Persian Safavid Shah, Abbas II of Persia, capable and energetic
Persia, 1642-1666, Persian Safavid Shah, Abbas II of Persia; Abbas II (30 August 1632 – 26 October 1666), was the seventh Safavid king (shah) of Iran, ruling from 1642 to 1666. Born Soltan Mohammad Mirza, he was the eldest son of Safi I with his Circassian wife, Anna Khanum. II was undoubtedly the most capable and energetic Safavid shah after his great-grandfather Shah Abbas I the Great (r. 1588-1629), whom he in many aspects bore resemblance to. Albeit Abbas II ascended the throne at the age of merely 9 years old, he showed considerable toughness and resolve—in 1645, no longer than three years after his succession, the grand vizier Saru Taqi was murdered by a faction of the Qizilbash led by the qurchi-bashi Jani Beg Khan Shamlu, one of the most influential administrators of the country; in the ensuing days, Abbas II had all the perpetrators put to death. to Abbas I, Abbas II possessed a strong dedication for fairness, and objections of misconduct and injustice by civil servants were promptly taken care of, whilst the responsible individuals were strictly penalized. II was also a poet with the pen name Thani, writing in Azerbaijani Turkish.[1] Greatmartyr and Prince Bidzina of Georgia, Commemorated on September 18;

Persia, 1666-1694, Persian Safavid Shah, Suleiman I of Persia, language Azerbaijani, raised in harem, raised by eunuchs, refused to attack Ottomans, George XI rebellion 1688
Persia, 1666-1694, Persian Safavid Shah, Suleiman I of Persia; Mirza, later known by his first dynastic name of Safi II, and thereafter known by his more famous second dynastic name of Suleiman I, was the eighth Safavid shah (king) of Iran, ruling from 1 November 1666 to 29 July 1694. youth and accession[edit] Mirza was born in February 1648 (or March); he was the elder son of the previous shah Abbas II and Circassian slave Nakihat Khanum.[1] Sam Mirza had a younger brother named Hamza Mirza, as well as two other brothers named Ismail Mirza and Mirza Ali Naqi. He also had two unnamed sisters. Sam Mirza grew up isolated in the royal harem, where he was cared for by Agha Nazira, a eunuch. Because of this, Sam Mirza's first language was Azerbaijani; it is still not clearly known how much Persian he was able to speak.[2] Furthermore, due to the way Sam Mirza was raised, he was much less experienced and less energetic than his father,[3] which had significant consequences for his reign.[2] II died in Mazandaran on 25 September 1666, without revealing his successor. Five days later, the news spread to Isfahan. The eunuchs, who took care of the palace, now got to name the successor;. Most of them preferred the seven year-old Hamza Mirza, who they could easily control. However, the matter was decided when Hamza Mirza's tutor made a statement in the court supporting Sam Mirza to assume the throne.[2] after first coronation; 1666-1668[edit] of Suleiman I's first coronation in 1666. day later, on 1 October 1666, Sam Mirza was crowned as Safi II.[citation needed] The ceremony took place in the afternoon and was managed by Mohammad-Baqer Sabzavari, the shaykh al-Islam of Isfahan. Safi II was given the heads of some dead Uzbeks, and in turn rewarded those who had given him the heads with money.[2] He also gave money to 300 exiles from the Ottoman Empire who sought refuge in Iran to avoid being enrolled into the Ottoman army. All administrative positions were reconfirmed that same day. The name "Abbas II" was removed from royal stamps, and new coins were minted in Safi II's name. Demonstrating the sleekness of the changeover, the city of Isfahan remained peaceful; "the shops stayed open, and life went on as if nothing had happened, causing foreign residents who, fearing disturbances and looting, had kept their houses locked, to emerge before the day was out."[2] first year of his reign was markedly unsuccessful. A series of natural disasters such as earthquakes (1667 Shamakhi earthquake) in Shirvan, spread of deadly diseases around Iran, combined with devastating raids by the Cossack Stenka Razin on the coast of the Caspian Sea, convinced court astrologers that the coronation had taken place at the wrong time, and the ceremony was repeated on March 20, 1668. The shah took the new name Suleiman I. He had little interest in the business of government, preferring retreat to the harem. after second coronation; 1668-1694[edit] left political decision-making to his grand viziers or to a council of harem eunuchs, whose power increased during the shah's reign. Corruption became widespread in Persia and discipline in the army was dangerously lax. At the same time revenues increased by the imposition of new taxes and higher taxes. This affected the country's economy and spread poverty, which resulted in many rebellions even in Suleiman's capital Isfahan. In 1672, shah Suleiman offered the former vizier Mohammad Beg to become vizier once again, which he agreed to, but while on his way to Isfahan, he died. According to the French traveler Jean Chardin, Mohammad Beg had been poisoned by Suleiman's vizier Shaykh Ali Khan Zangana.[4] In 1676, Suleiman appointed the Georgian prince George XI as the ruler of Kartli. the 1670s, Georgians came to make up an even larger part of the actual Safavid fighting forces, reaching a contested number of 40,000.[5][note 1] made no attempt to exploit the weakness of Safavid Persia's traditional rival, the Ottoman Empire, after the Ottomans suffered a serious defeat at the Battle of Vienna in 1683. He even refused the proposals from the European states to form a coalition against the Ottoman Empire. Persia also suffered raids by the Uzbeks and Kalmyks on the eastern and northern (North Caucasus) borders of the empire respectively. 1688, George XI rebelled against Suleiman, and tried to urge the Ottomans to aid him. However, his request for help was fruitless, and Suleiman appointed another Georgian prince named Heraclius I as the ruler of Kartli, and forced George XI to flee from Kartli. To secure Iranian control over Kartli, he appointed Abbas-Quli Khan as the viceroy of the region. Qizilbash remained an important part of the Safavid executive apparatus, even though ethnic Caucasians had come to largely replace them. For example, even in the 1690s, when ethnic Georgians formed the mainstay of the Safavid military, the Qizilbash still played a significant role in the army.[6] activity[edit] activity had already started decreasing since the reign of Shah Abbas I (r. 1587–1629), but it decreased even more under Suleiman. Although Suleiman had requested King William III of England for adept artisans in 1668/69, he is not known to have been involved in an operating foreign diplomacy.[2]

Persia, 1690-1716, Anthimus tGeorgian, Turk slave, Romanian Metroplitn, author, printer, woodcarver, builder, R spirit L
Georgia, 1690-1716, Anthimus the Georgian, Georgia (Iberia, the land of St George), Orthodox, captured by Turks invading Georgia, slave in Constantinople, Greek, Arabic, Turkish, skilled woodcarving, embroidery, painting, Escaped tEcumenical Patriarchate, invited to Wallachia by Constantine Brancoveanu for his talents, became monk 1691, later priest, royal print shop iBucharest, printing house iSnagov Monastery, printed 63 books iRomanian, Greek, Arabic, Georgian, author 38 oThem, Igumen 1696, Bishop Rimnicu-Vilcea 1705, Metropolitan Wallachia 1708, schools, churches, monasteries, spiritual legacy Romanian Church, arrested by Turks 1716, tSt Catherines Mt Sinai, killed along the way; Georgia (country) ; Saint Anthimus the Georgian, Commemorated on September 27; Anthimus was born in Georgia, and his parents were called John and Mary. The child received the name Andrew in Baptism, and his parents raised him as an Orthodox Christian. was captured by Turks who invaded Georgia when he was young, he was one of many who were made slaves in Constantinople. he learned to speak Greek, Arabic, and Turkish, and also became skilled in woodcarving, embroidery, and painting. a few years as a slave, Andrew escaped and fled to the Ecumenical Patriarchate for refuge. 1690, Andrew was invited to Wallachia by Prince Constantine Brancoveanu (August 16), who had heard of his talents. a year or so, he became a monk and received the name Anthimus. he was ordained to the holy priesthood. was placed in charge of the royal print shop in Bucharest, and later set up a printing house in the Snagov Monastery. monastery printed sixty-three books in Romanian, Greek, Arabic, and Georgian. Anthimus was the author of thirty-eight of them. He was chosen to be the igumen of Snagov in 1696. saint was consecrated as Bishop of Rimnicu-Vilcea in 1705, three years later he was made Metropolitan of Wallachia. Metropolitan, he established schools for poor children, and built churches and monasteries. Since he was a woodcarver, he used his talent to beautify many churches. Anthimus was a zealous pastor who satisfied his flock’s hunger for spiritual knowledge. in the Romanian language, he taught them the saving truths of Orthodoxy, and offered words of encouragement and consolation. His edifying books and sermons are part of the spiritual legacy of the Romanian Orthodox Church. Anthimus was arrested by the Turks in 1716 and sentenced to be exiled at Saint Catherine’s Monastery on Mt. Sinai, but he never arrived at his destination. September 27, 1716, he was killed by the soldiers who were escorting him. cut his body into little pieces and threw them into the Tungia River, south of the Danube. Thus, the faithful servant of Christ received the crown of martyrdom. Anthimus was a true shepherd of his flock, and a father to his clergy. He was glorified by the Orthodox Church of Romania in 1992.

Persia, 1694-1722, Safavid Shah, Sultan Husayn, Isfahan, Persia, end of Safavid d
Persia, 1694-1722, Safavid Shah, Sultan Husayn, Isfahan, Persia; Husayn (also known as Soltan Hosayn and Soltan Hosein), (October 1668 - November 1726) reigned 1694–1722; was a Safavid Shah of Iran (Persia). ruled from 1694 until he was overthrown in 1722 by rebellious marauder Mahmud Hotaki, an Afghan of Pashtun ethnic background.[1] reign saw the downfall of the Safavid dynasty, which had ruled Persia since the beginning of the 16th century. Fathers martyred by the Dagestanians, Commemorated on June 1;

Persia, 1736-1796, History Folder, Persian Afsharid Dynasty, Sunni Muslim

Persia, 1736-1796, 18th Century Folder, Afsharids, Sunni

Persia, 1736-1796, Afsharid dynasty, at Mashhad in Northeast, Nadir and Shahrukh, Sunni
Persia, 1736-1796, Persian Afsharid dynasty, at Mashhad, Sunni; Afsharid dynasty was an Iranian[7] dynasty that originated from the Turkoman[8][9] Afshar tribe in Iran's north-eastern province of Khorasan, ruling Iran (Persia) in the mid-eighteenth century. dynasty was founded in 1736 by the brilliant military[10] commander Nader Shah, who deposed the last member of the Safavid dynasty and proclaimed himself as the Shah of Iran. Nader's reign, Iran reached its greatest extent since the Sasanian Empire. At its height it controlled modern-day Iran, Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan Republic, parts of the North Caucasus (Dagestan), Afghanistan, Bahrain, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Pakistan, and parts of Iraq, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and Oman. his death, most of his empire was divided between the Zands, Durranis, Georgians, and the Caucasian khanates, while Afsharid rule was confined to a small local state in Khorasan. the Afsharid dynasty was overthrown by Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar in 1796, who would establish a new native Iranian empire and restore Iranian suzerainty over several of the aforementioned regions. dynasty was named after the Turcoman Afshar tribe from Khorasan in north-east Iran, to which Nader belonged.[11] The Afshars had originally migrated from Turkestan to Azerbaijan (Iranian Azerbaijan) in the 13th century. In the early 17th century, Abbas the Great moved many Afshars from Azerbaijan to Khorasan to defend the north-eastern borders of his state against the Uzbeks, after which the Afshars settled in those regions. Nader belonged to the Qereqlu branch of the Afshars.[12] Hieromartyr Dositheus of Tbilisi, Commemorated on September 12 ;

Persia, 1736-1747, Nadir, Persian Afsharid Shah, Sunni, Napoleon of Persia, destroyed Shio's relics
Persia, 1736-1747, Persian Afsharid Shah, Nadir, Sunni ; Shah Afshar (August 1688[5] - 19 June 1747) was one of the most powerful Iranian[13] rulers in Iranian history, ruling as Shah of Iran (Persia) from 1736 to 1747 when he was assassinated during a rebellion. of his military genius[14] as evidenced in his numerous campaigns throughout Middle East, Caucasus, Central and South Asia, such as the battles of Herat, Mihmandust, Murche-Khort, Kirkuk, Yeghevard, Khyber Pass, Karnal and Kars, some historians have described him as the Napoleon of Persia, Sword of Persia,[15] or the Second Alexander. belonged to the Turkoman[16] Afshar tribe, a semi-nomadic tribe settled in Khorasan in northeastern Iran,[17] which had supplied military power to the Safavid dynasty since the time of Shah Ismail I.[18] rose to power during a period of chaos in Iran after a rebellion by the Hotaki Pashtuns had overthrown the weak Shah Sultan Husayn, the arch-enemy of the Safavids, the Ottomans, as well as the Russians had seized Iranian territory for themselves. reunited the Iranian realm and removed the invaders. He became so powerful that he decided to depose the last members of the Safavid dynasty, which had ruled Iran for over 200 years, and become Shah himself in 1736. numerous campaigns created a great empire that, at its greatest extent, briefly encompassed what is now part of or includes Iran, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, the North Caucasus, Iraq, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Bahrain, Pakistan, Oman and the Persian Gulf, his military spending had a ruinous effect on the Iranian economy.[19] idolized Genghis Khan and Timur, the previous conquerors from Central Asia. imitated their military prowess and—especially later in his reign—their cruelty. victories during his campaigns briefly made him West Asia's most powerful sovereign, ruling over what was arguably the most powerful empire in the world,[20] his empire and the Afsharid dynasty he founded quickly disintegrated after he was assassinated in 1747.[21] turning point in his military career started from his second and third campaigns against the by then revolting Lezgians, as well as other ethnic groups of Dagestan in the northwestern parts of his domain. Nader Shah has been described as "the last great Asiatic military conqueror".[22] Hieromartyr Dositheus of Tbilisi, Commemorated September 12 ; Venerable Shio Mgvime, Commemorated on March 3;

Persia, 1748-1796, Shahrukh, Persian Afsharid Shah, Sunni, Nader's GSon, not massachred, installed by Kurds
Persia, 1748-1796, Persian Afsharid Shah, Shahrukh Afshar, Sunni; Mirza, better known by his dynastic title of Shahrokh Shah was the Afsharid king (shah) of the western part of Khorasan (corresponding to the present-day Khorasan Province)[1] from 1750 to 1796, with a two-month interruption. grandson of the Iranian conqueror Nader Shah (r. 1736–1747), Shahrokh was the son of Reza Qoli Mirza Afshar and his Safavid wife Fatemeh Soltan Begom, who was the sister of Tahmasp II, the penultimate Safavid shah of Iran. half-Safavid descent made him stand out amongst his Afsharid relatives, and was used to bolster the legitimacy of his grandfather. the assassination of Nader Shah in 1747, his nephew Ali-qoli Khan (who assumed the regnal name Adel Shah), ascended the throne in Mashhad and had all of Nader Shah's descendants in fortress of Kalat massacred. Shahrokh was spared in case his Safavid lineage would come to use, and was instead kept in the fortress as a prisoner. Adel Shah was battling his rebellious younger brother Ebrahim Mirza, a party of Turkic, Kurdish and Arab tribal leaders took advantage of his absence and installed Shahrokh on the throne. Adel Shah and Ebrahim were eventually defeated and killed, but Shahrokh was not long afterwards overthrown by a party of dissident tribal leaders, who installed the Safavid pretender Mir Sayyed Mohammad (who assumed the regnal name of Suleiman II) on the throne. was soon blinded at the instigation of Mir Alam Khan Khuzayma and other leading nobles, much against Suleiman II's will. group of conspirators lead by the Turkic tribal leader Yusuf Ali Khan Jalayir eventually deposed Suleiman II and restored Shahrokh to the throne. St Euthymius the Elder of the St John the Baptist Monastery, Commemorated on August 8; Hieromartyr Dositheus of Tbilisi, Commemorated September 12 ;

Persia, 1795-1797, Aga Mohammad, Cruel rapacious Persian Qajar, d Georgia, Battle of Kitsanisi
Persia, 1789-1797, Persian Qajar Shah, Aga Mohammad Khan Qajar ; Mohammad Khan Qajar (14 March 1742 - 17 June 1797), also known by his regnal name of Agha Mohammad Shah, was the founder of the Qajar dynasty of Iran, ruling from 1789 to 1797 as king (shah). chieftain of the Qoyunlu branch of the Qajar tribe, Agha Mohammad Khan was enthroned as the king of Iran in 1789, but was not officially crowned until March 1796, having deposed Lotf Ali Khan of the Zand dynasty in 1794. Mohammad Khan Qajar was famously the eunuch Monarch, being castrated as a young adult upon his capture by Adel Shah Afshar, and hence was childless. He was assassinated on 17 June 1797, and was succeeded by his nephew, Fath-Ali Shah Qajar. Mohammad Khan's reign is noted for the return of a centralized and unified Iran and for relocating the capital to Tehran, where it still stands today. He is also noted for his cruel and rapacious behavior, particularly during the re-subjugation of Georgia. He sacked the capital Tbilisi, massacred many of its inhabitants, and moved some 15,000 Georgian captives back to mainland Iran. Hieromartyr Dositheus of Tbilisi, Commemorated on September 12 ;

Persia, 1796-1925, History Folder, Persian Qajar Dynasty, Shia Muslim

Persia, 1796-1799, 18th Century Folder, Qajars, Shia

Persia, 1789-1797, Aga Mohammad, Persian Qajar Shah, eunuch, dynasty f, Tehran
Persia, 1789-1797, Persian Qajar Shah, Aga Mohammad Khan Qajar ; Mohammad Khan Qajar (14 March 1742 - 17 June 1797), also known by his regnal name of Agha Mohammad Shah, was the founder of the Qajar dynasty of Iran, ruling from 1789 to 1797 as king (shah). chieftain of the Qoyunlu branch of the Qajar tribe, Agha Mohammad Khan was enthroned as the king of Iran in 1789, but was not officially crowned until March 1796, having deposed Lotf Ali Khan of the Zand dynasty in 1794. Mohammad Khan Qajar was famously the eunuch Monarch, being castrated as a young adult upon his capture by Adel Shah Afshar, and hence was childless. He was assassinated on 17 June 1797, and was succeeded by his nephew, Fath-Ali Shah Qajar. Mohammad Khan's reign is noted for the return of a centralized and unified Iran and for relocating the capital to Tehran, where it still stands today. He is also noted for his cruel and rapacious behavior, particularly during the re-subjugation of Georgia. He sacked the capital Tbilisi, massacred many of its inhabitants, and moved some 15,000 Georgian captives back to mainland Iran. Hieromartyr Dositheus of Tbilisi, Commemorated on September 12 ;

Persia, 1795, Persian Battle of Krtsanisi, Tiblisi, Muslim Traitors
Persia, 1795, Persian Battle of Krtsanisi, Tiblisi, Muslim Traitors inside the gates ; Persian Qajar Shah, 1789-1797, Aga Mohammad Khan Qajar ; Hieromartyr Dositheus of Tbilisi, Commemorated on September 12 ;

Persia, 1796-1925, Persian Qajar dynasty, in Tehran, Shia Islam
Persia, 1796-1925, Persian Qajar dynasty, in Tehran, Shia Islam; Hieromartyr Dositheus of Tbilisi, Commemorated on September 12 ;

Persia, Isfahan, Crossroads at Isfahan Folder, Central PER

Isfahan, Persia (Crossroads NS and EW)
Isfahan, Persia (Crossroads NS and EW); Greatmartyr Ketevan the Queen of Georgia, Commemorated September 13 ; Greatmartyr Anastasia the œDeliverer from PotionsÂ, Commemorated on December 22 ; Apostle and Evangelist Mark, Commemorated on April 25; 6,000 Martyrs of the St David Gareji Monastery, Georgia, Commemorated on April 26; Fathers martyred by the Dagestanians, Commemorated on June 1;

Persia, Isfahan,Zayanderud River Folder

Zayanderud River

Zayanderud River Mouth (Gavkhouni Sink)

Gavkhouni Basin (a sink)

Isfahan Crossroads NS Tehran to Suza and Persian Gulf

Persian Capital - Pasargadae (Daniel Lived Here 559BC-486BC)
Persian Capital - Pasargadae ; Darius Hystaspis (Darius I, Darias the Great) ; Prophet Haggai, Commemorated on December 16 ; Prophet Daniel, Commemorated on December 17 ;

Pasargadae,Persia, 559BC-486BC, Daniel, Malachi and Haggai Lived Here
King Cyrus the Great - Pasargadae - Daniel Lived Here ; Prophet Daniel, Commemorated on December 17 ; Prophet Haggai, Commemorated on December 16; Holy Prophet Malachi, Commemorated on January 3;

Isfahan Crossroads EW Elimais to Merv

Isfahan Crossroads EW Bagdad to Merv

Susa, Persia (Tigris River 10)
Susa, Persia, from Nehemiah Chapter 1; Greatmartyr Mercurius of Caesarea, in Cappadocia, Commemorated on November 24 ; Prophet Daniel, Commemorated on December 17 ; Greatmartyr Anastasia the "Deliverer from Potions", Commemorated December 22 ;

Elymais (Susa, Persia)
Elymais (Susa), 1 Maccavees Ch 6; Prophet Daniel, Commemorated on December 17 ; Greatmartyr Anastasia the "Deliverer from Potions", Commemorated December 22 ; THE FEAST OF THE HOLY EPIPHANY (6 January) ;

Capital of Persian emperor Darius - Daniel Lived Here
Persian emperor Darius - Susa - Capital of Persia during Darius; Prophet Daniel, Commemorated on December 17 ;

Persia, Tigris River Folder, Western PER, Assyria

Tigris River

Tigris River Route

Tigris River Source (Lake Hazar)

Aninas Monastery (where the Euphrates separates Syria from Persia)
Aninas Monastery (where the Euphrates separates Syria from Persia) Venerable Aninas of the Euphrates, Commemorated on March 18;

Tigris River 1

Tigris River 2 (Martyropolis, Turkey)

Tigris River 3 (Mosul Dam Lake)

Tigris River 4 (Nineveh, Mosul, Arabela, Persia)

Assyria, Assyrian Empire
Assryia (Assyrian Empire); Assur; Apostle Thaddeus of the Seventy, Commemorated on August 21 ; Prophet Hosea, Commemorated on October 17 ; Righteous Hezekiah, Commemorated August 28 ; Venerable Euthymius the Co-Founder of Dochiariou Monastery of Mt Athos, Commemorated on November 9 ; Righteous Philaret the Merciful of Amnia in Asia Minor, Commemorated December 1 ; Venerable Melania the Younger of Rome, Commemorated on December 31 ; Prophet Micah, Commemorated on January 5 ; Venerable Euthymius the Great, Commemorated January 20 ; St Isaac the Syrian the Bishop of Nineveh, Commemorated on January 28 ; Hieromartyr Abramius the Bishop of Arbela in Assyria, Commemorated February 4 ; Virginmartyr Febronia of Nisibis, Commemorated on June 25;

Nineveh (Mosul), Assyria, Persia (Tigris River 4)
Nineveh; Jonah 3:1-10,4:1-11, Conversion of Nineveh ; Tobit'™s Youth and Virtuous Life, 3 I, Tobit, walked in the ways of truth and righteousness all the days of my life. I performed many acts of charity for my kindred and my people who had gone with me in exile to Nineveh in the land of the Assyrians. 4When I was in my own country, in the land of Israel, while I was still a young man, the whole tribe of my ancestor Naphtali deserted the house of David and Jerusalem. This city had been chosen from among all the tribes of Israel, where all the tribes of Israel should offer sacrifice and where the temple, the dwelling of God, had been consecrated and established for all generations for ever. Prophet Jonah, Commemorated on September 22 ; St John the Merciful, Patriarch of Alexandria, Commemorated November 12 ; Prophet Nahum, Commemorated December 1 ; Prophet Zephaniah, Commemorated December 3 ; Righteous Judith, Commemorated on December 11; St Isaac the Syrian the Bishop of Nineveh, Commemorated on January 28 ;

Kaserin, across from Nineveh
Kaserin, across from Nineveh, Tobit Chapter 11: Homeward Journey 11When they came near to Kaserin, which is opposite Nineveh, Raphael said: "˜You are aware of how we left your father. 3Let us run ahead of your wife and prepare the house while they are still on the way." As they went on together Raphael* said to him: "˜Have the gall ready?™ And the dog went along behind them. 5 Meanwhile, Anna sat looking intently down the road by which her son would come. 6When she caught sight of him coming, she said to his father, "˜Look, your son is coming, and the man who went with him" Tobit'™s Sight Restored 7 Raphael said to Tobias, before he had approached his father, " know that his eyes will be opened. 8Smear the gall of the fish on his eyes; the medicine will make the white films shrink and peel off from his eyes, and your father will regain his sight and see the light." 9 Then Anna ran up to her son and threw her arms around him, saying, "˜Now that I have seen you, my child, I am ready to die."™ And she wept. 10Then Tobit got up and came stumbling out through the courtyard door. Tobias went up to him, 11with the gall of the fish in his hand, and holding him firmly, he blew into his eyes, saying, "˜Take courage, father."™ With this he applied the medicine on his eyes, 12and it made them smart.* 13Next, with both his hands he peeled off the white films from the corners of his eyes. Then Tobit* saw his son and* threw his arms around him, 14and he wept and said to him,"˜I see you, my son, the light of my eyes!"™ Then he said, "˜Blessed be God, and blessed be his great name, and blessed be all his holy angels. May his holy name be blessed* throughout all the ages. 15 Though he afflicted me, he has had mercy upon me.* Now I see my son Tobias!"™ So Tobit went in rejoicing and praising God at the top of his voice. Tobias reported to his father that his journey had been successful, that he had brought the money, that he had married Raguel'™s daughter Sarah, and that she was, indeed, on her way there, very near to the gate of Nineveh. 16 Then Tobit, rejoicing and praising God, went out to meet his daughter-in-law at the gate of Nineveh. When the people of Nineveh saw him coming, walking along in full vigour and with no one leading him, they were amazed. 17Before them all, Tobit acknowledged that God had been merciful to him and had restored his sight. When Tobit met Sarah the wife of his son Tobias, he blessed her saying, "˜Come in, my daughter, and welcome. Blessed be your God who has brought you to us, my daughter. Blessed be your father and your mother, blessed be my son Tobias, and blessed be you, my daughter. Come in now to your home, and welcome, with blessing and joy. Come in, my daughter."™ So on that day there was rejoicing among all the Jews who were in Nineveh. 18Ahikar and his nephew Nadab were also present to share Tobit'™s joy. With merriment they celebrated Tobias'™s wedding feast for seven days, and many gifts were given to him.* ;

Arbela, Persia (Tigris River 4)
Arbela, Persia; Apostle Thaddeus of the Seventy, Commemorated on August 21 ; Martyr Akepsimas the Bishop of Persia, Commemorated on November 3 ; St Snandulia of Persia, Commemorated on November 3 ; Hieromartyr Abramius the Bishop of Arbela in Assyria, Commemorated February 4 ;

Persia, , Hieromartyrs Akepsimas, Bishop in Persia, Presbyter Joseph, and Deacon Aeithalas, Arbela, Assyria, Persia (Tigris River 4)
Arbela in Assyria; Apostle Thaddeus of the Seventy, Commemorated on August 21 ; Martyr Akepsimas the Bishop of Persia, Commemorated on November 3 ; St Snandulia of Persia, Commemorated on November 3 ; Hieromartyr Abramius the Bishop of Arbela in Assyria, Commemorated February 4 ;

Tigris River 5 (Assur, Persia)

Tigris River 6 (Samarra, Persia)

Samarra, Persia (Tigris River 6)
Samarra (Tigris River 6); Martyr Constantine the King of Georgia, Commemorated on November 10 ; Martyr Manuel of Persia, Commemorated on June 17;

Karmanite wilderness, Persia and Mesopotamia (Battle of Samarra, Tigris River 6)
Battle of Samarra, 363, Julian the Apostate's death; Julian left Antioch for a war with the Persians. Near the Persian city of Ctesiphon, Julian came upon an elderly Persian, who agreed to betray his countrymen and guide JulianÃƒÂ¢Ã‚Â€Ã‚Â™s army. The old man deceived Julian and led his army into the Karmanite wilderness, where there was neither food nor water. Tired from hunger and thirst, JulianÃƒÂ¢Ã‚Â€Ã‚Â™s army battled against fresh Persian forces. ; Greatmartyr Artemius at Antioch, Commemorated on October 20; Venerable Ephraim the Syrian, Commemorated on January 28; Hieromartyr Theodoritus of Antioch, Commemorated on March 8; Martyr Eupsychius of Caesarea, in Cappadocia, Commemorated on April 9; Martyr Manuel of Persia, Commemorated on June 17;

Tigris River 7 (Bagdad, Babylon, Persia)

Garden of Eden (Tigres River 7-8)
Garden of Eden (Tigres River 7-8); Walked with God Because Noah walked with God and stood blameless among the people of that time, God gave him specific instructions for building the ark by which Noah and his family would survive the coming flood. Location - Eden?

Seleucia, Persia, Syria and Messopotamia (Tigris River 7)
Seleucia; Hieromartyr Athanasius the Bishop of Tarsus in Cilicia, Commemorated on August 22 ; Virginmartyr Syra of Persia, Commemorated on August 24; Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-Bearer the Bishop of Antioch, Commemorated December 20 ; Apostle Mark the Evangelist of the Seventy, Commemorated January 4 ; Apostle Barnabas of the Seventy, Commemorated January 4 ; St Cyril the Archbishop of Jerusalem, Commemorated on March 18; Virginmartyr Pherbutha (Phermoutha) of Persia, with her sister and servant, Commemorated on April 4; Apostle and Evangelist Mark, Commemorated on April 25; Apostle Barnabas of the Seventy, Commemorated on June 11;

Ctesiphon, Persia (Tigris River 7, Near Bagdad) Sassanian Capitol
Ctesiphon; Virginmartyr Syra of Persia, Commemorated on August 24; Martyrs Dadas, Gabdelas, and Kazdoa of Persia, Commemorated on September 29; Greatmartyr Artemius at Antioch. Commemorated October 20 ; Monkmartyr Anastasius the Persian, Commemorated on January 22 ; Uncovering of the relics of Saint Anastasios the Persian, Commemorated on January 24; Hieromartyr Simeon, Bishop in Persia, and those with him, Commemorated on April 17; Five Nuns beheaded in Persia: Martyrs Thecla, Mariamne, Martha, Mary, and Ennatha Commemorated on June 9;

Tirgis River 8

Tigris River 9

Tigris River 10 (Elymais, Persia)

Tigris River 11

Tigris River Mouth (Kwait, Euphrates River 13)

Persia, Bahu Kalat River Folder, Gulf of Oman, Southeastern PER

Bahu Kalat River

Bahu Kalat River Mouth (Gwadar Bay, Gulf of Oman)

Dashtiari River

Dashtiari River, Iran

Dasht River

Dasht River, Iran

Persia, Kurdustan and Azerbaijan Folder, Tabriz, Northwestern PER

Persian Azerbaijan - Northwest Persia, Tabriz and Lake Urmia Sink
Persian Azerbaijan - Azerbaijan in Northwest Persia ; Holy Queen Tamara, Commemorated on May 8;

Kurdistan Province, Persia (Zargos Mts)
Kurdistan Province, Persia;

Tabriz, Northwest Persia, Azerbaijan
Tabriz, Northwest Persia, Azerbaijan; Persian Azerbaijan - Azerbaijan in Northwest Persia ; Holy Queen Tamara, Commemorated on May 8;

Zarrine River (River of Kurdustan)

Gadar River

Gadar River Source (Iran, Turkey and Iraq border)
Zagros Mountains ;

Gadar River (Hajji Firuz Tepe)

Gadar River (Teppe Hasanlu)

Barandouz River 1

Barandouz River 2

Barandouz River, Iran
Barandouz River;

Zarrine River (Miandoab)

Aji Chay River

Saiid Dynasty in Maragheh, Iran
Saiid Dynasty in Maragheh, Iran;

Quri Chay River

Quri Chay River, Iran

Quri Chay River (Tabriz)

Persia, Artaz Region Folder, Northwestern PER, Zangmar River

Zangmar River

Artaz region, Persia (Mardistan, Armenia)
Mardistan, Armenia; Apostle Thaddeus of the Seventy, Commemorated August 21 ; Venerable Arsenius of Latros, Commemorated on December 13 ;

Kelissa Monestary, Artaz Region, Persia, AD 68, Saint Jude
Kelissa Monestary or Qara Kelissa or Saint Thaddeus Monastery; Venerable Arsenius of Latros, Commemorated on December 13 ;

Zangmar River (Maku)

Zangmar River Mouth (Aras River 9)

Persia, Northern Iran, Northern Rivers Folder, North Central PER

Persia, Northern Iran, Northern Rivers, Atrek River Folder, Parthia

Atrek River

Atrek River Source

Atrek River 1 (Sumbar River)

Safid River

Safid River Source

Talysh Hills of Alborz Range
Talysh Hills of the main Alborz Range ;

Saiid Dynasty in Ardabil, Iran
Saiid Dynasty in Ardabil, Iran;

Safid River (Manjil Dam)

Abhar River

Safid River Mouth (Caspian Sea)

Shah Rud River

Shah Rud River Source

Alborz (Elburz) Mountains (Manjil Gap)
Alborz (Elburz) Mountains;

Kojoor River

Kojoor River Source

Chalus, Persia (Kojoor River Mouth, Caspian Sea)
Chalus, Persia (Kojoor River Mouth;

Azad Kuh River

Azad Kuh River Source

Elburz Mountains (over 18,600 ft.)
Elburz Mountains ;

Haraz River

Haraz River Source (Mount Damavand)
Mount Damavand ;

Haraz River (Amol City)

Hyrcania, Persia (South of Caspian Sea)
Hyrcania ; Apostle Herodion of the Seventy, and those with Him, Commemorated on April 8;

Mazandaran, Persia, provincial capital of Sari
Mazandaran; Sari; Martyr Luarsab II the King of Georgia, Commemorated on June 21 ;

Persia, Namak Lake (sink) Folder, Tehran ( Rey or Rages, Media), North Central PER

Namak Lake (a sink)
Namak Lake;

Parthia (northeastern Iran or Persia, Tehran Region, Namek Sink, Isfahan Crossroad)
Parthia; Parthis Map Ochus River Map; Apostle Thaddeus of the Seventy, Commemorated on August 21 ; Hieromartyr Gregory the Bishop of Greater Armenia, Equal of the Apostles and Enlightener of Armenia, Commemorated September 30 ; Holy, Glorious Apostle Thomas, Commemorated October 6 ; Holy, All-Praised Apostle Philip Apostle and Evangelist Matthew, Commemorated November 16 ; GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR, APOSTLE TO ARMENIA (23 March 332);

Parsiism - Kings of Epiphany - Parthian Empire of Persia 247BC - 224AD
Parsiism, Perianism, Zorastrainism ; Parthian Empire of Persia 247BC - 224AD ; Ctesiphon, Persia; EPIPHANY - Kings of Epiphany, Commemorated January 6 ;

Rages, Media, Persia (Rey or Tehran, Plain oRagau)
Rages, Media, Persia; Tobit; Tobit 4 Tobit Gives Instructions to His Son 4That same day Tobit remembered the money that he had left in trust with Gabael at Rages in Media, 2and he said to himself, ˜Now I have asked for death. Why do I not call my son Tobias and explain to him about the money before I die? Then he called his son Tobias, and when he came to him he said, ˜My son, when I die,* give me a proper burial. Honour your mother and do not abandon her all the days of her life. Do whatever pleases her, and do not grieve her in anything. 4Remember her, my son, because she faced many dangers for you while you were in her womb. And when she dies, bury her beside me in the same grave. 5 ˜Revere the Lord all your days, my son, and refuse to sin or to transgress his commandments. Live uprightly all the days of your life, and do not walk in the ways of wrongdoing; 6for those who act in accordance with truth will prosper in all their activities. To all those who practise righteousness* 7give alms from your possessions, and do not let your eye begrudge the gift when you make it. Do not turn your face away from anyone who is poor, and the face of God will not be turned away from you. 8If you have many possessions, make your gift from them in proportion; if few, do not be afraid to give according to the little you have. 9So you will be laying up a good treasure for yourself against the day of necessity. 10For almsgiving delivers from death and keeps you from going into the Darkness. 11Indeed, almsgiving, for all who practise it, is an excellent offering in the presence of the Most High. 12 ˜Beware, my son, of every kind of fornication. First of all, marry a woman from among the descendants of your ancestors; do not marry a foreign woman, who is not of your father'™s tribe; for we are the descendants of the prophets. Remember, my son, that Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, our ancestors of old, all took wives from among their kindred. They were blessed in their children, and their posterity will inherit the land. 13So now, my son, love your kindred, and in your heart do not disdain your kindred, the sons and daughters of your people, by refusing to take a wife for yourself from among them. For in pride there is ruin and great confusion. And in idleness there is loss and dire poverty, because idleness is the mother of famine. 14 ˜Do not keep over until the next day the wages of those who work for you, but pay them at once. If you serve God you will receive payment. Watch yourself, my son, in everything you do, and discipline yourself in all your conduct. 15And what you hate, do not do to anyone. Do not drink wine to excess or let drunkenness go with you on your way. 16Give some of your food to the hungry, and some of your clothing to the naked. Give all your surplus as alms, and do not let your eye begrudge your giving of alms. 17Place your bread on the grave of the righteous, but give none to sinners. 18Seek advice from every wise person and do not despise any useful counsel. 19At all times bless the Lord God, and ask him that your ways may be made straight and that all your paths and plans may prosper. For none of the nations has understanding, but the Lord himself will give them good counsel; but if he chooses otherwise, he casts down to deepest Hades. So now, my child, remember these commandments, and do not let them be erased from your heart. Money Left in Trust with Gabael 20 ˜And now, my son, let me explain to you that I left ten talents of silver in trust with Gabael son of Gabrias, at Rages in Media. 21Do not be afraid, my son, because we have become poor. You have great wealth if you fear God and flee from every sin and do what is good in the sight of the Lord your God.™

Qom River

Qom (River)

Karaj River

Karaj River (Tehran)

Karaj River Mouth (Namak Sink)

Jajrood River

Persia, Halil River Folder (Kerman) South Southeast PER

Halil River

Kerman, Persia (high point, home of Shapur II the Great)
Shapur II the Great; Kerman, Persia; Hieromartyr Abramius the Bishop of Arbela in Assyria, Commemorated on February 4 ; Virginmartyr Pherbutha (Phermoutha) of Persia, with her sister and servant, Commemorated on April 4; 120 Martyrs of Persia, Commemorated on April 6;

Kuh-e Shah or King Mountail
Kuh-e Shah Mountain;

Hazaran Mountains (of Zargos Mts)
Hazaran Mountains ;

Halil River (Jiroft Dam)

Halil River (Jiroft)
Jiroft ;

Jaz Murian Basin ( a sink)

Persia, Shiraz Folder, Southwest PER

Shiraz, Persia
Shiraz; Greatmartyr Ketevan the Queen of Georgia, Commemorated September 13 ; Martyr Luarsab II the King of Georgia, Commemorated on June 21;

Magedon, Persia (near Shiraz)
Magedon, Persia ; Great Martyr Irene, Commemorated on May 5; was deposed by his son Sapor, who persecuted Christians with an even greater zeal than his father had done. Saint Irene went to her home town of Magedon in Persia to meet Sapor and his army, and ask him to end the persecution. When he refused, Saint Irene prayed and his entire army was blinded. She prayed again and they received their sight once more. In spite of this, Sapor refused to recognize the power of God. Because of his insolence, he was struck and killed by a bolt of lightning.

Elam, Shiraz, Persia
Elam, Shiraz, Persia; Righteous Judith, Commemorated on December 11;

Istakhr or Estakhr, Persia, Near Shiraz, Sasanian Empire First Capital
Persian Sasanian Empire First Capital Estakhr, 224-226; Sasanian first Emperor, 224-242, Ardashir I; Hieromartyr Gregory the Bishop of Greater Armenia, Equal of the Apostles and Enlightener of Armenia, Commemorated on September 30; Great Martyr Irene, Commemorated on May 5; was deposed by his son Sapor, who persecuted Christians with an even greater zeal than his father had done. Saint Irene went to her home town of Magedon in Persia to meet Sapor and his army, and ask him to end the persecution. When he refused, Saint Irene prayed and his entire army was blinded. She prayed again and they received their sight once more. In spite of this, Sapor refused to recognize the power of God. Because of his insolence, he was struck and killed by a bolt of lightning.

Bakhtegan Lake (a sink)

Roodkhaneye Khoshk (Dry river) Mouth

Persia, Suza and Persian Gulf Folder, South Southwest PER

Suza, Iran (Persian Gulf, Isfahan Crossroads North South)
Suza, Iran (Persian Gulf) ; Hieromartyr Milus the Bishop in Persia, Commemorated November 10 ; Hieromartyr Audas the Bishop of Persia, Commemorated on March 31;

Telepolis (Susa, or Shushan in Syriac), where the Prophet Daniel saw visions
Suza, Iran (Persian Gulf) ; Hieromartyr Milus the Bishop in Persia, Commemorated November 10 ; Hieromartyr Audas the Bishop of Persia, Commemorated on March 31;

Mond River

Mond River Mouth (Persian Gulf)
Mond River;

Bushehr River

Bushehr River 2

Bishapur, South Southwest Persia (Bushehr River near Kazerun) Saphur II
Persian Sasanian Emperor, 309-379, Saphor II the Great, Bishapur ; Kerman, Persia; Bishapur, Persia (Eslamabad); Sapor II (310-331), Sasanian Persian Empire ; Martyr Eudokia of Persia, Commemorated August 4 ; Martyr Dometius of Persia, Commemorated on August 7; Martyr Heliodorus of Persia, Commemorated August 20 ; Martyr Aithalas of Persia, Commemorated on September 1 ; Martyr Ia of Persia, Commemorated on September 11 ; Martyr Memelchtha of Persia, Commemorated on October 5 ; Greatmartyr Artemius at Antioch, Commemorated on October 20; Hieromartyr James the Presbyter of Persia, Commemorated on November 1 ; Hieromartyr John the Bishop of Persia, Commemorated on November 1; 7,000 Martyrs who suffered in Persia, Commemorated on November 2; Martyr Acindynus of Persia, Commemorated on November 2; Martyr Akepsimas the Bishop of Persia, Commemorated on November 3; St Snandulia of Persia, Commemorated on November 3 ; Hieromartyr Milus the Bishop in Persia, Commemorated on November 10; Hieromartyr Nerses of Persia, Commemorated on November 20; Martyr Ananias of Persia, Commemorated on December 1; St James the Bishop of Nisibis, Commemorated on January 13; Venerable Ephraim the Syrian, Commemorated on January 28; St Aphraates of Persia, Commemorated on January 29; Hieromartyr Abramius the Bishop of Arbela in Assyria, Commemorated on February 4; Hieromartyr Abramius the Bishop of Arbela in Assyria, Commemorated on February 4 ; St Maruthas the Bishop of Martyropolis in Mesopotamia, Commemorated on February 16; Hieromartyr Sadoc (Sadoth) the Bishop of Persia, Commemorated on February 20; Hieromartyr Theodoritus of Antioch, Commemorated on March 8; GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR, APOSTLE TO ARMENIA (23 March 332); Martyr Jonah and those with him, in Persia, Commemorated on March 28; Martyr Jonah and those with him, in Persia, Commemorated on March 28 ; Virginmartyr Pherbutha (Phermoutha) of Persia, with her sister and servant, Commemorated on April 4; 120 Martyrs of Persia, Commemorated on April 6; Martyr Desan the Bishop and 272 others in Persia, Commemorated on April 9; Martyr Eupsychius of Caesarea, in Cappadocia, Commemorated on April 9; Monkmartyr Bademus (Vadim) of Persia, Commemorated on April 9; Martyr James the Presbyter of Persia, Commemorated on April 10; Martyr Azades (Azat) the Eunuch of Persia, Commemorated on April 14; Hieromartyr Simeon the Bishop in Persia, and those with him in Persia, Commemorated on April 17; Martyr Ananias the Presbyter in Persia, Commemorated on April 17; Martyr Bata the Persian, Commemorated on May 1; Greatmartyr Irene of Thessalonica, Commemorated on May 5; Hieromartyr Helladius the Bishop in the East, Commemorated on May 28; Hieromartyr Sisinius the Deacon of Rome, Commemorated on June 7; 5 Martyred Nuns beheaded in Persia, Commemorated on June 9; Martyr Manuel of Persia, Commemorated on June 17;

Bushehr, Persia (Bushehr River Mouth)
Bushehr, Persia; Hieromartyr Audas the Bishop of Persia, Commemorated on March 31;

Persia, Media Region of Persia Folder, West Central PER

Media region of Persia, Northwest of Isfahan Crossroads, Ecbatana
Media or Median Empire; Taken Captive to Nineveh: Tobit Chapter 1:10 After I was carried away captive to Assyria and came as a captive to Nineveh, everyone of my kindred and my people ate the food of the Gentiles, 11but I kept myself from eating the food of the Gentiles. 12Because I was mindful of God with all my heart, 13the Most High gave me favour and good standing with Shalmaneser,* and I used to buy everything he needed. 14Until his death I used to go into Media, and buy for him there. While in the country of Media I left bags of silver worth ten talents in trust with Gabael, the brother of Gabri. 15But when Shalmaneser* died, and his son Sennacherib reigned in his place, the highways into Media became unsafe and I could no longer go there. Apostle and Evangelist Matthew, November 16 ;

Diyala River

Diyala River Source (near Sananda)

Diyala River Mouth (Tigris River 7)

Zagros Mountains
Zagros Mountains ;

Karkeheh River (Gihon River)

Ecbatana in Media, Persia
Ecbatana in Media, Persia ; Tobit; Tobit Chapter 3: Sarah Falsely Accused in Ecbatana 7 On the same day, at Ecbatana in Media, it also happened that Sarah, the daughter of Raguel, was reproached by one of her father'™s maids. 8For she had been married to seven husbands, and the wicked demon Asmodeus had killed each of them before they had been with her as is customary for wives. So the maid said to her, ˜You are the one who kills* your husbands! See, you have already been married to seven husbands and have not borne the name of* a single one of them. 9Why do you beat us? Because your husbands are dead? Go with them! May we never see a son or daughter of yours! ; Righteous Judith, Commemorated on December 11;

Hamedan, Media, Persia
Hamedan, Iran or Persia; Battle of Nahavand 665; Arab Muslim Conquest of North Africa 665;

Persia, Karum River Folder (Chaldeans) West Southwest PER

Karum River

Land of the Chaldeans (far southeastern Messopotamia)
Land of the Chaldeans ; Job 1:1-22, Job, Job and His Family, Attack on Job's Character, Job Loses Property and Children;

Karun River Source (Zard-Kuh)
Zard-Kuh;

Karun River (Ahvas)
Ahvas;

Karun River (Koohran River Mouth)

Karun River Mouth (Euphrates River Mouth)

Elymais or Elam (at the head of the Persian Gulf)
Elymais or Elam (at the head of the Persian Gulf); Tobit Chapter 2, Tobit back in Nineva, again burying the dead, becomes blind from sparrow droppings, protected by Ahikar his nephew before Ahikar goes to Elymais 7 When the sun had set, I went and dug a grave and buried him. 8And my neighbours laughed and said, ˜Is he still not afraid? He has already been hunted down to be put to death for doing this, and he ran away; yet here he is again burying the dead!That same night I washed myself and went into my courtyard and slept by the wall of the courtyard; and my face was uncovered because of the heat. 10I did not know that there were sparrows on the wall; their fresh droppings fell into my eyes and produced white films. I went to physicians to be healed, but the more they treated me with ointments the more my vision was obscured by the white films, until I became completely blind. For four years I remained unable to see. All my kindred were sorry for me, and Ahikar took care of me for two years before he went to Elymais. ;

Persia, Roman Roads or Persian Roads, Rivers and mountains (Clean)

Ctesiphon, Persian Capital, Parthian and Sassanian Empires

Silk Road North and South at Merv