the first martyr of Armenia, was a soldier in a Roman legion when converted to the Christian faith by one of his friends (Nearchus). For his faith he was sentenced to be beheaded. His martyrdom took place in 257. The Roman Catholic Church observes his memory on Feb. 13. The French poet, Pierre Corneille, made this case of martyrdom the subject of one of his most beautiful tragedies. — Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Gé neralé, s.v.