The Martyrdom of Mar Grigor Piran-Gusnasp and The Martyrdom of Mar Yazd-panah

In the mid-6th century, Grigor, the general of the Sasanian king’s armies and a converted from Zoroastrianism to Christianity, was put to death.

This event brings about the conversion of several Zoroastrian notables such as Yazd-panah, a judge who also died as a martyr three years later, and the courtier ?Awira.

The reign of King Khusro I (531–579) was a key-chapter in the history of the Persian Empire, but also for the Church of the East, some members of which were involved in the Sasanian administration.

These East-Syrian historical texts, which are among the few passions of this period in Syriac, have received little scholarly attention.

This volume offers a critical text and commentary, as well as the first translation into English of these two martyr texts.

Written by contemporaries, they provide valuable information regarding socio-religious life and the political context.

They demonstrate how Persian Christians, despite sporadic persecution, were able to maintain a distinct identity while simultaneously acculturating to the norms of Iranian society.