But the Armenians were obstinate.

Neither threats, nor promises, nor persuasions had any effect.

It was in vain that a manifesto was issued, painting the religion of Zoroaster in the brightest colors, and requiring all persons to conform to it.

It was to no purpose that arrests were made, and punishments threatened.

The Armenians declined to yield either to argument or to menace; and no progress at all was made in the direction of the desired conversion.
In the year A.D.450, the patriarch Joseph, by the general desire of the Armenians, held a great assembly, at which it was carried by acclamation that the Armenians were Christians, and would continue such, whatever it might cost them.