I recently stumbled upon some interesting sketches of Armenian costumes from the 2nd to 3rd century AD. These sketches by Eugène Lacoste (from 1877-1878) depict ancient Armenian costumes, for usage in theaters for the opera about Saint Polyeuctus. Polyeuctus according Christian tradition was an ancient Roman saint who lived in the early 3rd century AD. Christian tradition states that he was...
Digitized Gospel by Toros Roslin (1262 AD)
This beautiful medieval manuscript was created by Toros Roslin, the most prominent Armenian manuscript illuminator of the High Middle Ages. The Walters Art Museum has digitized one of his illuminated manuscripts for everyone to view. Only 7 such manuscripts from Toros Roslin have survived until today. Click on the pages to enlarge, the manuscript...
Why a Roman God wears an Armenian Tiara!
During various periods in the ancient Rome, several “mystery” cults and their deities of Near Eastern character became highly popularized. Through Roman expansion into the east, Roman society came in contact with many Near Eastern and Middle Eastern religions and started to worship some of the deities in their own fashion. Mithras Maybe the most famous...
Could this mysterious deity be the Armenian God Vahagn?
A mysterious sculpture of an unknown deity was discovered in southeast Turkey, last year. The sculpture shows an enigmatic bearded deity rising from out the stalk of a plant. Scholars seem to be baffled about the identity of the deity and Live Science reported that “More than a dozen experts contacted by Live Science had no idea who the...
Armenia to host Vardavar International Festival 2015
On Sunday, the Federation of Youth Clubs of Armenia is organizing the second educational and cultural “Vardavar International Festival” at the ancient sites of Geghard and Garni. The festival is organized with support of several organisations including the RA Ministry of Culture and Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. The program will include church ceremony, fascinating performances by folk dance...
Genocide of Culture after the Genocide of a Nation [English Subs]
The Condition of the Historical Armenian Monuments in Western Armenia (occupied by Turkey) since 1915. The film exposes the policy of the Turkish authorities on the annihilation of the Armenian historical monuments of Western Armenia. In the aftermath of their actions, a peculiar cultural heritage, forming part of world civilization, has been irrevocably destroyed....
Pope Declares St. Gregory of Narek Doctor of the Church
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis will formally proclaim a 10th-century Armenian mystic monk as a doctor of the church during a liturgy held today. As such St. Gregory becomes the first Doctor of the Church to have lived outside direct communion with the Bishop of Rome as St. Gregory was not a Catholic but a member of...
Animated Film about the Brilliant Architect Momik [TRAILER]
A full-length animated movie is being created in Armenia about the genius, 13th-14th century, architect Momik. All of the artwork is created with aquarelle (watercolors) painted on a blank canvas by one artist Hayk Sayadian who also wrote the script, directs, animates and does voice-overs in the film. Hayk describes his endeavor: “This is my canvas, I’m an artist, and I...
Ancient Shrines Used for Predicting the Future Discovered in Armenia
Three shrines, dating back about 3,300 years, have been discovered within a hilltop fortress at Gegharot, in Armenia. Live Science reports! Local rulers at the time likely used the shrines for divination, a practice aimed at predicting the future, the archaeologists involved in the discovery say. Each of the three shrines consists of a...
Why Armenians Celebrate Christmas on January 6th
By Dn. Hratch Tchilingirian “Armenian Christmas,” as it is popularly called, is a culmination of celebrations of events related to Christ’s Incarnation. Theophany or Epiphany (or Astvadz-a-haytnootyoon in Armenian) means “revelation of God,” which is the central theme of the Christmas Season in the Armenian Church. During the “Armenian Christmas” season, the major events...
