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...
Ancient Armenian City Reveals New Secrets
Turkish archaeologists have recently published discoveries made underneath the ancient Armenian capital city of Ani. Receding water has revealed an opening to a comprehensive network of tunnels dug beneath the ancient city located in present day Turkish province of Kars. Once a powerful city the capital of the Armenian kingdom of the Bagratuni dynasty, Ani today stand...
Hovhannavank Monastery (Armenia – 1216 AD.)
The oldest part of the monastery is the single nave basilica of St. Karapet was founded at the beginning of the fourth century by St. Gregory the Enlightener. The monastery walls are covered with rich lapidary inscriptions. One large engraved text high on the northern wall of one of the monastery’s auxiliary structures reads:...
A brief history of Hamshen
Hamshen is the Armenian name for the settlement in historic Lesser Armenia, present day Hemşin district in the province of Rize, Turkey. Territory of Lesser Armenia was historically part of the ancient Armenian Kingdom, which was ruled by the royal dynasty of Orontids (Yervanduni). In later centuries lesser Armenia was conquered by numerous contending...
Church of the Armenian Saint Minias of Florence
San Miniato al Monte (St. Minias on the Mountain) is a basilica in Florence, central Italy, dedicated to Saint Minias, standing atop one of the highest points in the city. It has been described as one of the finest Romanesque structures in Tuscany and one of the most scenic churches in Italy. In Europe...
Ughtasar Petroglyphs of Armenia
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Mythical king “Lion Mher”
Lion Mher (Armenian: Aŕiwc “Lion” or Aŕiwcajew “Lion-shaped”) is a mythical king from an ancient pagan Armenian folk epic of the “Daredevils of Sassoun“, who slew a lion with his bare hands earning the title of “lion-like”. Lion Mher is the father of David (also known as Mher the younger), the hero of the epic. He is the epitome of...
Monastery of Bardzrakash St. Gregory in Armenia among ‘Europe’s most threatened heritage’
The Monastery of Bardzrakash St. Gregory in Dsegh, Armenia is among the 11 monuments and sites shortlisted for ‘The 7 Most Endangered’ 2014 program of the leading European heritage organisation Europa Nostra and the European Investment Bank. This monastic complex, dedicated to St. Gregory, the first official head of the Armenian Church, dates from...
Mural details from the 13th century Armenian monastery
Mural from the 13th century Armenian monastery Saghamosavank. Saghmosavank monastery stands on the edge of a canyon, dating back to 1215 AD. when by the order of Prince Vache Vachutyan the Surb Sion church was built. The Monastery from west and south sides was surrounded by huge vestibule and library, the composition of which is one...
