David of Dvinsk

Holy Martyr David of Dvinsk (Dvin, in Armenia) was a nobleman of Persian descent, baptized in Armenia, who received death by crucifixion in the year 703, under Arab rule.

While still a pagan he bore the name Surkhan and came of a Persian princely family of Khorasan. He appeared in Armenia during the rule of Amazasp, appointed governor of the country after the death of his father-⁠in-⁠law Theodore Rshtuni (658), who held office for three years, and he took part in an Arab campaign in Armenia in the time of the patrician Grigor Mamikonian (661-685). According to the Martyrdom, he then went to the great prince Grigor and asked him for the baptism of Christ. The prince was his godfather, named him David after his own father, and gave him the village of Dzag in the Kotayk district.

David was martyred by the vostikan Abdallah, after the Saracens had taken possession of Armenia, that is, around the year 703. Abdallah tormented him with terrible beatings, chains and prison because of his faith in Christ. The aged saint remained unyielding and was crucified and pierced with an arrow, dying thus. The date of his martyrdom is 22 January 703, established on the basis of a tenth-⁠century Georgian translation of an eighth-⁠century Armenian text.

The Martyrdom of David of Dvin is one of the best-⁠known hagiographic works of early medieval Armenia. In western Orthodox calendars he is also commemorated as David of Echmiadzin.