This Saturday, July 13, the Armenian Church commemorates Saint Thaddeus Apostle, the first illuminator of Armenia, and Saint Sandukht, daughter of King Sanadrouk and the first saint of the Armenian Church. It is not an exaggeration to say that Thaddeus and Sandukht were pioneer in bringing Christianity to Armenia in the first century.
Princess Sandukht was converted to Christianity by Thaddeus, and she in turn converted many others. Her father tried to have her renounce her conversion and finally gave her a choice of the crown or the sword. She chose the sword and became the first witness for Christianity in Armenia and the first saint of the Armenian Church. Shortly after her martyrdom, Thaddeus was martyred at Artaz (in present day northern Iran). The Armenian monastery of St. Thaddeus is built on the apostle’s tomb. During the early 20th century the monastery was an important crossroads for travelers and pilgrims. A popular annual pilgrimage takes place in July to coincide with this feast day.