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...
Photographs of Armenian Priests
In the spirit of Armenian Christmas on 6th of January, I’d like to share these beautiful photographs of Armenian Priests taken by Suren Manvelyan.
BBC report: ‘The last Armenians of Myanmar’
One of the oldest churches in Myanmar, also known as Burma, is struggling to keep going – its congregation only occasionally reaches double figures. But the opening up of the country to outside investment and tourism is offering new hope. By Andrew Whitehead BBC World Service, Yangon Reverend John Felix, priest at the...
