Vartanants (St Vartan and his companions) · Vartanants

Culture of origin: Armenian · Historical

Holiday sources: Armenian

Vartanants remembers Vardan Mamikonian and the Armenians who fell with him at the battle of Avarayr on 26 May 451, resisting the Sasanian king Yazdegerd II's demand that they give up their church. The battle was lost, but Armenians count it a victory for their faith, and the church keeps Vardan and his companions as saints. The battlefield, the plain of Avarayr, is at today's Chors in Chaypareh County, West Azerbaijan province. The church keeps the day on the Thursday before Great Lent, 52 days before Easter, and Armenia lists it among its holidays.