Feast of St. Trdat, St. Ashkhen and St. Khosrovidoukht Celebrated in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
12.07.2003
On Saturday, July 12, the Armenian Church celebrated the Feast of St. Trdat (Tiridates) King of Armenia; Queen Ashkhen, and sister of the king, St. Khosrovidoukht. Rev. Fr. Khatchadur Knyazian, a member of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin, celebrated Divine Liturgy on the King Trdat III Open Altar in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
In 287 A.D. Trdat, from the royal house of Arshakuni, assumes the throne which once belonged to his father and becomes Trdat III, King of Armenia. His name is inextricably linked with the Patron Saint of the Armenian Church, St. Gregory the Illuminator. In 301 A.D. the king releases the Christian Gregory from imprisonment and proclaims Christianity to be the Official Religion of Armenia. In doing so, the king becomes the greatest advocate of spreading Christianity throughout the country.
The names of Queen Ashkhen and the king's sister, Khosrovidoukht are closely related to the Great Conversion of Armenia as well. Princess Khosrovidoukht's vision of a cure for the king's incurable illness causes St. Gregory to be liberated from the dungeon of the deep pit. Gregory then is free to begin the process of spreading the light of Christianity, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
According to Greek historian Agathangelos, the King, the Queen and the Princess meet St. Gregory upon his return from Caesarea, to where he had traveled to receive episcopal ordination. Following a period of fasting and preparation, Gregory baptizes the three of them. They are followed by the baptism of the royal court and the nobles of Armenia. Through the baptism by Gregory, Trdat becomes the first king in the world to rule over a Christian country. History also reveals that Trdat, Ashkhen and Khosrovidoukht personally participate in the construction of the Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin. The stones they use to build the cathedral were brought to Vagharshapat from the slopes of Biblical Mount Ararat.
The Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of King Trdat, Queen Ashkhen and Princess Khosrovidoukht together on the fourth Saturday following the Feast of Pentecost.
