the location of modern-day churs proved to be extremely pivotal in armenian history. on 26 may 451 ad, a decisive battle was fought at the location that would be one of the single most important events in armenian history. on the avarayr plain, at what is modern-day churs in the west azerbaijan province, the armenian army under vardan mamikonian clashed with sassanid persia. although the persians were victorious on the battlefield itself, the battle proved to be a major strategic victory for armenians, as avarayr paved the way to the nvarsak treaty (484 ad), which affirmed armenia's right to practice christianity freely.