304 HJ8T0RT OF ARMENIA.
entirely devoted to him,, and gave him private instructions to assassinate the blessed bishop. This coming to the knowledge of Sbavasp the Arzrunian, he invited the eunuch to accompany him in a hunting excursion, when he prevented the execution of the wretch's designs by killing A.D.379. him. About this time Valens died, and Theodo^ sius the Great was elevated to the imperial throne. The latter immediately ordered the release of all the holy fathers, whom his prede- cessor had sei^t into exile. Nierses consequently obtained his liberty.. The qmperor was so much ^ttachjed to him that he retained bim at his court foi; two years, at the end of which period the great council of Constantinople took place. Nierses assisted a( it, and when it terminated^ he returned into Armenia.
��CHAPTER XXI.
��A. D. 379 .
��The abandonment and captivity of Arsaces; and' the almost total destruction of the kingdom of Armenia by the treachery of Memjan.
Shapuh, at this time, encouraged by the recent events in Armenia, and perhaps secretly instigated by the chiefs of that country, sent a large army against Arsaces, headed by a Pahlavie pf great skill and courage, named Alauozan.
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