Latest Entries »
Ruins of Saint Sargis Monastery in Ushi, Armenia
Russian president Dmitry Medvedev appointed Sergey Avakyants as commander of the Pacific fleet of the Russian navy. Even-though modern Armenia has no access to the sea, historic Armenia used to border the Mediterranean, Black sea and and the Caspian sea. Armenian participation in the Russian navy has a long history with outstanding service records, such as Ivan Isakov Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union.
Source: http://expert.ru/2012/05/3/novyij-komanduyuschij-tof/
Mher was the son of the Legendary Armenian Hero David. While avenging his father, he was cursed and trapped inside Raven’s Rock near the ancient Armenian city of Van. Ever since that day Mher lives in that cave. The underground river Gail (Lukos) flows under the cave with a terrible rumbling. According to saga, Mher with his fiery horse must remain there, until there are justice, honesty and peace in the world. Once a year (either on the festival of Roses, originally a pagan fire and water festival, or in the night of destinies) Mher’s door is opened. Anyone near-by on that day is at danger of being trapped inside the rock as well. Someday it is believe Mher will come out of the cave, mounted on his fiery horse, to punish the enemies of his people. That will be the Day of Wrath. Below a picture of Mher’s Door near lake Van (Mheri Dur in Armenian).
Mher's Door ('Mheri Dur' in Armenian) - Mher remains entombed in Raven’s Rock since justice still doesn’t reign over the earth.
Gospel Book binding, XIXth cent., Armenia
Incense burner, XIXth cent., Armenia
Gospel Book binding, 1828, Armenia
This is well made documentary about the Armenian Genocide, for those who still haven’t seen it here is an English version. Thanks Simon for the tip!
Martin Shipton, WalesOnline
Apr 23 2012
The mysterious disappearances of King Arthur and Wales’ foremost rebel Owain Glyndwr have a remarkable similarity with that of one of Armenia’s greatest heroes, according to a leading Welsh clergymen.
Canon Patrick Thomas, the Vicar of Christ Church Carmarthen and Chancellor of St David’s Cathedral, is the author of a highly praised new book which finds numerous similarities between Wales and Armenia, which until 22 years ago was a republic within the Soviet Union.
On Monday From Carmarthen to Karabagh will be launched in the Temple of Peace and Health in Cardiff.
In recent years close ties have been established between the two countries, prompting Canon Patrick to visit Armenia for the first time in 2005. He immediately fell in love with the eastern European country and kept going back, becoming increasingly aware of the parallels and contrasts between Armenia and Wales.
His book has a unique structure: each chapter has an introduction, three sections focusing on related themes from Armenia and a final section that points out relevant similarities with Wales.
In a section about Welsh and Armenian heroes, Canon Patrick writes: “Some heroes are meant to vanish leaving no known burial place.
“Moses is an obvious Biblical example. In Welsh tradition two of our greatest warriors similarly disappear: King Arthur and Owain Glyndwr.
“I was once rebuked by a Church of England clergyman for having described King Arthur as Welsh rather than English in one of my books. ‘Who do you think he was fighting against, then?’ I asked.
“An embarrassed silence ensued.”
The burial place of King Arthur is a mystery, as is that of Owain Glyndwr.
“The legend that haunted the popular imagination told of an encounter between Owain and the abbot of Vale Crucis,” writes Canon Patrick.
Sit back and take a moment to think about the Armenian Genocide while listening to this song.
A wonderful article from The Huntsville Times written by Rev. the Dr. Andy Anderson about his experiences in Armenia.
Published: Friday, April 20, 2012, 4:23 PM
Geghard Monastery, a Fourth Century Armenian Christian monastery, overlooks the Azat River gorge in the Caucasus region of Armenia.
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – Prior to my Sabbatical travels to Armenia last summer, the No. 1 FAQ was, “Where in the world is Armenia?”
The rich Armenian culture developed in the Caucasus, the peninsula between the Baltic and Black Seas, several thousand years BCE. Armenia’s ancient borders were once much larger, including parts of Turkey and Mount Ararat, still a national symbol.
Not too many Americans travel to Armenia unless they are descendants of the Armenian diaspora returning to their homeland. It is a matter of cultural pride to visit this tiny country by Armenians dispersed throughout the world because of the late 19th century genocide and the 1915 massacre by Turkish political forces, when a reported 1,500,000 Armenians were killed.
I have always admired the Armenians’ stalwart faith in becoming the first Christian nation in 301, more than a decade before the Roman emperor Constantine directed Rome’s conversion. I discovered the beautiful Armenian Oriental Orthodox tradition in Jerusalem four years ago on Pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
I was amazed to learn their story and discovered why their presence in Jerusalem is so strong. And so I was drawn to learn more about these people, whom I had only known about as a child by being told “to eat all my vegetables because of the starving Armenians!”
Armenian faith
Visitors light candles in Geghard Monastery
Here’s their amazing story in a nutshell: Against all odds of persecution through the centuries, the Armenians have clung to their Christian identity.
They refused to follow Zoroastrianism when the Persians conquered Armenia in the 5th century, and then again, for centuries under Muslim political domination, refused to give up their Trinitarian belief for Islam.
Even in the late 19th Century, the Russian Czar wanted the people of Armenia to “reform” their ancient Armenian Apostolic Church and assimilate into the Russian Orthodox tradition.
But through it all, they stood firm in the faith as they had received it from the Apostles Thaddeus and Bartholomew less than a decade after Christ’s death and resurrection.
Finally their oppressors just metaphorically – but after much literal persecutions and even battles – “threw their hands up.” In so many words they said, “Okay, keep your faith as long as you pay your tribute” – a kind of quiescent reversal of Jesus’ words to “render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and unto God what is God’s.”
The Armenians’ spirit of brave perseverance and national pride are singularly tied to their ancient Christian identity. Through decades of Soviet Union domination, when anyone who wanted to have a decent job could not profess Christianity, they secretly observed the Sacraments, baptizing their children and having their marriages blessed.
Geghard Monastery, a Fourth Century Armenian Christian monastery is built and carved into the cliffs overlooking the Azat River gorge in the Caucasus region of Armenia.
Immediately after the Soviet Union’s downfall, they openly embraced the faith and began the monumental task of repairing their
ancient churches and building magnificent new ones.
The capital city, Yerevan, with 1 million souls, had over 1,000 churches in 1922, prior to Armenia’s becoming a Soviet republic. In 1991, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, there remained only three churches.
Now there are 36, with more under construction, including the magnificently modern cathedral where 2,500 worshipers can gather at one time
Their church buildings, ancient and modern, are built of massive hewn stones, built to withstand the recurrent seismic activity of tectonic shifts through the centuries. With powerful arches and stalwart barrel towers, these buildings are poetic expressions of the people’s faith and resilience.
