178 HISTORY OF ARMENIA.
step, caused them to be consecrated deacons^ the Armenians saw then that their reformation was hopeless, for they became more and more irregular, until they were punished for their impiety, and neglect of the duties they owed themselves and family, by a visitation of the anger of the Almighty, who caused them to be consumed by fire from heaven. Athanageney left one son, named Nierses, who proved highly worthy of his descent from the good St. Gregory. He was sent into Cesarea at a very early age, and there carefully instructed in the fear of the Lord. He made a rapid progress in Greek lite- rature, and having at a more advanced age gone to Constantinople, he there still more improved his mind. It was at this city that he married the daughter of a great prince named Aspiones. On the death of his father and uncle, the Arme« nians invited him to return amongst them ; but in consequence of delay in complying with their desires they did not appoint him to succeed Daniel as pontiff of their church. A. D. 362. This dignity was conferred on Pharnerseh or Pharen, a priest from the convent of St. Johan- nes Carapiet, in the city of Ashtishat. News of the violences committed by Tiran on the church, in the two before mentioned instances, reaching the ears of Zura, who accompanied Julian ia his expedition, it gave him infinite pain. He
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