Advances in Natural and Applied Sciences, 9(8) July 2015, Pages: 84-87 AENSI Journals

Advances in Natural and Applied Sciences

ISSN:1995-0772 EISSN: 1998-1090 Journal home page: www.aensiweb.com/ANAS

Investigation the condition of Iranian Christiansduring the reign of II the king of Sassanian

Omid Montazeri

PH.D student, Department of history, National Academy of Sciences of

ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Article history: Although, in the long time the government of Sassanian (224 to 657A.D) in during the Received 23 June 2015 long years of sovereignty was faced with domestic and external problems, but most Accepted 25 August 2015 important problems was of other religions in territory of Sassanian Empire. For creation Available online 2 September 2015 the integral was examined all of procedures, from excellence to murder. These factors were allowed to the Sassanian court to control the situation but in the end of this Keywords: kingdom the situation was changed seriously.The government became weak because of Christians,KhosrowParviz,Sassanian, long wars and claimants like that had appeared that all of these factors Reign, Nestorian caused to losing legitimacy and bases of Sassanians government but by get to power of Khosrow that his second name is Khosrow Parviz, he benefited from this situation, his actions under affected the future of Christians- Iranians as seriously.

© 2015 AENSI Publisher All rights reserved. To Cite This Article: Omid Montazeri, Investigation the condition of Iranian Christiansduring the reign of KhosrowIIthe king of Sassanian. Adv. in Nat. Appl. Sci., 9(8): 84-87, 2015

INTRODUCTION residents in the Iran Empire by leadership of Yeshuayheb they probed to remain neutral in a The study of the position of Christians in Iran contestation that was between Bahram Chobin that during the reign of Khosrow Parvez is rather he was reign claim and Khosrow Parviz that who interesting from the view point of Iran's both inner supposed himself as the legal king. According to the and foreign policy as the Sassanid palace managed and Islamic sources, Yeshuayheb much skillfully to take advantage of the controversies efforts to prove its neutrality but this neutrality for among the Christian subjects of the state perceiving the Sassanian young king was not pleasant because far reaching to political goals. the king had particular interest to Yeshuayheb and The investigation of situation of Iranian the most of removal and installation consultation Christiansasa minorityactive that from one side religious in matters of Christians was done with his (Graffin, 1919) the kingship of Sassanid dynasty had idea and when Khosrow saw the their position tried during long years of their kingdom, shakyto seek refuge to the Byzantium (Chabot, theybroughtundertheircontroland from other side 1902), in this process Yeshua did not accompany him during this period by creatingdivision and don't went with him, this behavior of Yeshua amongChristiansectshas expanded itspower and to cause be extreme annoyance the king of Sassanian fix it in the territory under his command (Graffin, (The Ecclesiastical History of Evagrius Scholasticus, 1919). With the death of Hormuz Turkzad, 2000). By overcoming the Khosrow on Bahram Anushirwan the boy of Khosrows lackened the base Chobinhe returned to Iran victoriously but he could of reign (Pigulevskaya, 1946). In this period the not forget the behavior of Yeshua but Yes huajustify Khosrow II that known as KhosrowParvizwas their action by saying that he is like a shepherd that he can't to freed his flock at the time of calamity confronted with strong claims that named Bahram (Theophylacti Simocattae Historiarum, 1834)]. Chobin,he for evolution of his power to be compelled Finally, he was able to bring down the wrath of the to pray in aid of Christians for help that this is one of king and then Yeshua died in the year of 596 A.D the hesitant points (Kolesnikov, 1970). (Theophylacti Simocattae History, 1957). In the year What really was going in Sassanians of Iran of 604 A.D the Christians asked from king that they during the years of reign of Khusraw II we shall see should choose a new Catholics and the king agreed to below: choice the personal with name of Grigor as a new Catholics this choice for Iranian Christians was very Complete text: surprising because often the Catholics were selected After the killing of Hormuz Turkzad orthocenter of the Iran (Seleucia) (Pigulevskaya) but (Pigulevskaya, 1979), Nestorian Christiansthose Corresponding Author: Omid Montazeri, PH.D student, Department of history, National Academy of Sciences of Armenia E-mail: [email protected] 85 Omid Montazeri, 2015 Advances in Natural and Applied Sciences, 9(8) July 2015, Pages: 84-87 incredibly the Catholicos Grigor was known to subsidiary and keeping of the thronewasmore miserly (History by Sebeos 1979) he reaching with important thanmatters of faith (Graffin) but the hand to the church property and sold movable However, Khosrow was more effort to obtain the and immovable property (Nöldeke, 1979) from one satisfaction of minorities resident in territory of side, these his actions made great spiritual damage to Empire (Christensen). the church and bribe giving and bribe taking in it has It is mentioned in some fictions that the king made as a usual affair but from the other side caused himself after conquering of his commanders in the church to get a great material power. Nestorian Palestine went to Babylon to see the holy Cross Church at this period has become a major economic (Kolesnikov, 2012) can be seen it in the other center (Christensen, 1944). Khosrow Parviz, that was remaining legends that he personally issued the came to power with the help of Christians, when his disputes orderthat to be disposed Between Zacarias, a power became stabled to found saint Sarkis church Christian pastor and a Zoroastrianmagus (Le Livre (Pigulevskaya). Historian Symookta writes that he des Rois, 1878). Whichendedof the victory was brought the faith to Christ and also Khosrow ofChristianpries we can be found many kind of these himself, to aggravate to this legend and was claimed ads of Christians but none of them has a historical when he was going to war with Bahram in the middle basis (Greatrex). Despite the opposition, the ruling of the way an old man taken his horse's bridle and class agenda and Zoroastrian to tendency of people promised him about victory (Nöldeke) His Christian to Christianity, this religion was expanding in areas wife interpreted this sleep in this manner that this old where people were secretly accepted the Christianity man who could not be anyone, except a Christian this was met with fierce opposition from Zoroastrian holy. Western and Greek myths about this female Clergymen (Pigulevskaya, 2009). It is came in stories answer some information and introduce her as of Ferdousi that () the favorite wife of Sassanian king (Williams, A.V., emperor ofRoman sent the beautiful brocade garment 1996). She was plentiful use from her special that was woven with gold for king which was very location and did much help to Christiansincluding luxurious and precious (Nöldeke, 2011). Butthe can be noted to the repair and building of churches king'scounselor’sadvicehimthat use of this garment (Chabot). However, in thisera were considered the may make created this mentalityamong the people freedomforChristians but the king was opposing to the king turned Zoroastrian religion except the Iranians who became Christian and their execution religion of truth (Greatrex, 2006). However, verdicts were issued as before for example circumstances can be concluded that the reign of (Kolesnikov) to orders of Khosrow the Catholicos Khosrow IIfor Christians has been with some great to crime that some of number of Iranian difficulties and hardship after the death of Catholicos officials and members of the royal family was Grigor in 608-609 A.D new Catholicos was chosen brought to religion Christianity was baptized by king. His name was Gabriel, during the war condemned to death and this was indicated that between the two kingdoms tried to take a former Zoroastrians were seriously frightened because of policy of predecessors and remained impartial but instability of their position (Labourt, 1904). Sasanian courttried to find his view and clearly But even though in the year of 563 sassanian understand (Pigulevskaya). Finally the king to call to Khosrow Parviz reached the peace agreement with accountthe Gabriel and view and ordered to be Yustaneous that this peace agreement is also executed terribly. After his death all of the churches mentioned in as syrian sources (Darmesteter, 1894). were destroyed in city and position of From the terms of the settlement it follows were Catholicos remained vacant for a long time allowed to the Christians that to bury their dead (Pigulevskaya). Sassani court decided that to use a bodies however, this act was consideredcontrary of man that namely was Yagd in that has a lot of power thetraditions ofZoroastrianand was a blameworthy and wealth (Nöldeke, 1887). He began to pay taxes action it faced with many great opposition. Among to king and since was respected by two empress other measures of Khosrow that were given to the finally he was executed by ordered of king (Adonts, Zoroastrian converts to the religion ofreturn to the 1987) in this situation with killing of Yagdin a rancor religion and if they didn’t return to from khosrow II was created in the heart of his son Zoroastrian religionexported the death warrant of namely Shambad and he helped the son of Khosrow them (History by Sebeos). that his name was Ghobad to a coup against his Although during govern of Khosrow Parviz, father and deposal Khosrow from reign and improvement the conditions of Christianand to be Ghobadsit on the throne (Danielyan, 1981). By spread and increased their freedom. Importance of considering this situation it can be concluded that Christians for government was evident in during the Christian at the end of sassanian period got much days of war because they didn’t go to fighting and power that could make revolted and riot in the court this would be causedthat they spying for western (Van Esbroeck, 2001). With attention to Armanian neighborsand paid their taxes two fold (Lukonin). Sources we can achieved to another significant fact From the above subject, we findKingcertainly that finally a session was concluded in Ctesiphonthat beclashed from the politically viewpoint many different Christian sect attended in it (615-618 withreligionsand for him to obey the relatives A.D) (Khurshudyan, 2003). 86 Omid Montazeri, 2015 Advances in Natural and Applied Sciences, 9(8) July 2015, Pages: 84-87

From the Armenians two men's to namely suggestion of Iranian Zoroastrianclergy for Mamikoian and Sambad Bakeratony as disturbing other religions. representatives attended this session (History by 2) Khosrow Parviz can be most tricky sassanian Sebeos). The result of this meeting was that it failed kings that by benefitting religious affections and Nestorian sect and were accepted decisions of world feeling of people of people developed Christians congress of Christians and Komit as was elected as power too muchhe began to seize Byzantium great Catholicos of Armenian (Ter- Minaseants). territory after killing his roman ally finally he was Finally this decision was approved by Khosrow killed by his son. Parviz.The main purpose of the sesessions was to be 3) An initial century of Christianity wasthe time of rejected of chalcedony sessions and preference of dispute of word-conflicts one of these sects was faith in Nestoriansect. Nestorian. This sect was expelled from Roma Conquests of Khosrow Parvizit made necessary because of deferens with other sectand court of Iran that king if Iran pay serious attention to Christianity reacceptedof them and so the eastern Christianity universal problems (Greatrex). From his special was formed. attention, we can conclude that the center of 4) Head of priests wasnamed asPAPA inwest,he Christian decision was transferred from west to the was named KATALIKOUS in East, this name in East (Danielyan, 2000). But situation of Christiansin Arabic was translated JASLIGH. the latesixthandearly seventh century in Iran was 5) MOSHEL MAMIKONIAN is from famous changed in parallel with them ilitary successfully family of MAMIKONIAN of ARMENIA, he (Hakobyan). Based on this reason Khosrow II gave affected power – reaching of KhosrowParviz shape his relation in accordance withourstateinterests importantly. andtheir relationship. Sassanian court executed many 6) SHIRINE, favorite wife of KhosrowII had Christians for keeping its results (Greatrex). The king Christian priest and historians mentioned her effect as a judge did not permit that philosophic on king. Historians pointed to her much help to discussionis much developed to make the official Christians. religion be blemished (Danielyan). In the year of 628 A.D after the killing of Khosrow, the Sassanid throne REFERENCES arrived to his son to name Ghobad, that Ghobad to justify of himself will be exempted from tax for three Adonts, N., 1987. Armenia in Time of Justinian, yearsfor people.So that, in some history books he is Yerevan, p: 327; Y. Ter-Minaseants, the Relationship mentioned as friendly Christianity,andsomewent so of the Armenian Churches with the Assyrian far him knows as a Christian (Kolesnikov). 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