Feast of Saint Vartan in Armenia Date in the current year: February 8, 2024

Saint Vartan Mamikonian was an Armenian military leader and a martyr. He is best known for leading Armenian army in the Battle of Avarayr in 451, that ultimately secured Armenians to practice Christianity.

The Kingdom of Armenia was converted to Christianity in 301 AD. In the middle of the 5th century the Sasanian Empire tried to convert Armenia to Zoroastrianism. Armenians refused, as this would be an assimilation for the nation. The tension began to grow, resulting in numerous riots. Vartan Mamikonian led the nobility, that joined the rebels. Vartan sent for aid to Constantinople, but the assistance didn't arrive in time. The bloody battle began between the Armenian and Persian armies. Vartan won initial success, but he was eventually slain along with eight of his top officers.

Vartan Mamikonian was consecrated by the Armenian Apostolic Church as a saint. Major Christian Armenian churches are named after him. The feast of St. Vartan is the day of mercy and national tribute to the heroes, Armenians honor the unity of the nation in difficult times and pay tribute to ancestors who defended the right of the Armenian people on religion, national identity and existence.