COSROES (Husraw) II, PERSIAN EMPEROR. — Known as the Victor. Reigned from 590 to 628. At the beginning of his reign, both because of his friendship with Emperor Maurice and the influence of his Christian wives, he was rather benevolent toward Christians. In 596 he had SABRIŠO elected katholikòs, who always enjoyed imperial favor and even accompanied COSROES in his early campaigns against the Byzantines. After Sabrišo’s death, COSROES ordered the election of a certain Gregory (605), who seemed suitable to end the discord between Nestorians and Monophysites, the latter led by Hënânà. By COSROES’ will, the see of Seleucia-Ctesiphon remained vacant from Gregory’s death (609) until his own. Each faction then organized its own hierarchy.
In 604, COSROES declared war on the usurper Phocas under the pretext of avenging Maurice. Having taken Dara, COSROES easily conquered Mesopotamia, Syria, and Palestine. Despite Phocas’ death and the accession of Heraclius, COSROES continued the struggle. In 611 he occupied Caesarea in Cappadocia, and during the summer of 614 he penetrated into Jerusalem, which was barbarously devastated. Particularly grievous was the burning of the basilica of the Holy Sepulchre and the carrying off of the True Cross, later taken to Persia along with an immense spoil of sacred furnishings. The imperial goldsmith, the Christian Yazdān, saved the Cross from destruction. Up to this point COSROES did not persecute Christians. When, however, in 627 and 628 Heraclius (v.) the Victor penetrated into Persia, COSROES molested both Monophysites and Nestorians. Yazdān was tortured and killed by order of COSROES. It was the signal for the revolt led by COSROES’ son, Sëròe. Deposed, COSROES was in turn killed by one of Yazdān’s sons.