Zoroastrianism in Armenia


Zoroastrianism in Armenia dates back as far as to the fifth-century BC, notably during the Achaemenian and Parthian periods in the Armenian Highlands. Prior to Armenia's Christianisation, it was a predominantly Zoroastrian-adhering land. The yazatas Mithra and Verethragna particularly enjoyed a high degree of reverence in the country.

History

A number of Zoroastrian fire-altars had been discovered in Christian sanctuaries in Armenia. In various parts of Armenia, Zoroastrianism lingered on for several centuries even after the official adoption of Christianity. The Arsacid dynasty of Armenia, under which Armenia eventually would become a Christian nation, were pious Zoroastrians who invoked Mithra as the lord of covenants, as is proper. An episode which illustrates the Armenian Arsacids and their observance of the cult is the famous journey of Tiridates I to Rome in A.D. 65-66. The same aforementioned Tiridates I, brother of Vologases I of Parthia and founder of the Arsacid dynasty of Armenia, was a Zoroastrian magus or priest.
In A.D. 53 the Parthian Arsacid dynasty came into Armenia, the king, Trdat I, is thought to have done a great amount to spread Zoroastrianism in Armenia. According to J. Russel, Zurvanism was the form of Zoroastrianism under Yazdagrird II, which he promoted in Persian Armenia.
The Armenian month names show influence of the Zoroastrian calendar.
An Armenian Christian source, according to which an Zurvanite proselytizer, Mihr-Narseh, spoke of the words openly:
Reports indicate that there were Zoroastrian Armenians in Armenia until the 1920s.