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Refutation of the Sects (Armenian Church Classics)

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This booklet contains an introduction which explains who Eznik (or Yeznik) was, and the context of his work. It was written in the mid-5th century. The Armenians had been converted to Christianity in the previous generation, but the Persian emperor was now attempting to convert them by force to a version of state Zoroastrianism, known as Zurvanism. Eznik wrote as part of the ideological counter, in four books. The first dealt with the nature of God, followed by books refuting Zurvanism, Greek paganism, and finally and most interestingly, the second century Marcionite heresy.

Thomas Samuelian has retold the work in order to make it accessible to those encountering it for the first time. This makes it less useful than the straight translation published since of the single manuscript, but much easier to read! Indeed Dr Samuelian's version makes it clear that Eznik is addressing concerns of interest today, and is not merely of antiquarian interest.

The text is lively, clear, and intended to bring Eznik to a new audience. This it does.