The Martyrdom of Vahan Goghtnatsi and its Spatio-Temporal Features

Abstract The Martyrdom of Vahan Goghtnatsi is a text that dates back to the beginning of the 8th century. Vahan was the son of Khosrov, a nobleman from Goghtn. In his early years, Vahan was taken hostage by the Arabs to Damascus. Subsequently, he returned to Armenia and converted to Christianity, a decision that resulted in his persecution. After visiting a number of locations, he proceeded to the court of Caliph Hisham (724–743) with the intention of requesting permission to practise his religion. His endeavours proved futile, and he was martyred in the city of Resafa in 736/737. This article has concentrated on the forms of space and time that are directly related to early medieval thought. In addition to Christian paradigms, the martyrologist also employed mythical and traditional ideas. The contrast between the two sides of the world, the North and the South, was particularly evident. Concomitantly, these ideas are linked to the Armenian way of thinking about history, where the North is a metaphor for salvation and freedom. Moreover, the literal and metaphorical path occupies a significant place in the Martyrdom. The pages of the Martyrdom are dominated by a concept of concrete time, whether in its linear or phased versions. In the first case, the occurrence of tangible, logical events is of paramount importance, whereas in the second, the passage of time, the progression of the day, and so forth, are of greater significance.