Vachagan III

Vachagan III
King of Caucasian Albania
Reign 487–510
Coronation 487
Predecessor Vache II
Issue Sons:
Pantaleon
Daughters:
Khanchik
House Arsacid
Father Aswagen
Religion Church of Caucasian Albania

Vachagan III the Pious was the last king of Caucasian Albania from the Arsacid Dynasty. He was a brother of Vache II and was restored to throne by Balash. During his reign Church of Caucasian Albania was growing. Vachagan persecuted pagans and opened religious schools in country. He recovered Grigoris' and Saint Pantaleon's relics and buried then in a tomb within the Amaras Monastery with help of his extra-marital uncle Khochkorik.[1] He named his son in honour of Saint Pantaleon.

Aluen Ecumenical Council

He held an ecumenical council in town of Aluen in 488. Aluen Ecumenical Council thus holds special status in history of Caucasian Albania, because it is only legal information about socio-religious life of Caucasian Albania. Vardan the Brave was also in Council whose successors would eventually overthrow Arsacid.

References

  1. (French) Mahé, Jean-Pierre, "Vač'agan III le Pieux et le culte des reliques," Revue des Études Arméniennes 35 (2013): 113-29.