My Pictures from Armenia and of Armenian Churches

[Gisasargavak]

Hello all, I recently spent 5 months in Armenia and it was one of the most fulfilling experiences I've had in my life. It was great living in Armenia not just as a tourist, but as a participant in the country's development. It was also very spiritually fulfilling as well as there are numerous ancient churches in Armenia that you can go into, light a candle, and pray. I went on regular pilgrimages to these churches as well as Holy Echmiadzin, the spiritual home of all Armenians. I thought I might post some of my more interesting pictures for you to enjoy. Asdvadz tsezi bahe.



Church in Ashtarak



7th century (renovated) church in the small village of Bazmabert, after St. Gevorg's



Humble altar inside of St. Gevorg's



10-11th century church in Bjni, after St. Asdvadzadzin (Mother of God)



Lit candles inside of St. Asdvadzadzin

[Gisasargavak]

7th century remnants of a fortress from the Bagratuni Dynasty, Bjni



His Holiness Garegin II offering the Divine Liturgy in Holy Echmiadzin on Christmas



Cathedral of the Seven Wounds of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (formerly Alexandropol/Leninakan, 17th century)

[Gisasargavak]

Two churches in Shirak Province, near the Turkish border and the ruined city of Ani



St. Grigor the Enlighter Cathedral, Yerevan





Two pictures of the 9th century Tatev Monastery (renovated)



Mt. Ararat as seen from the capital

[Salpy]

What beautiful pictures!  Thank you for sharing.

I have a question about the Cathedral of the Seven Wounds of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri.  Out of curiosity, is that an Armenian-Catholic cathedral (in communion with Rome?)  I'm asking because I've heard that there are a lot of Armenian Catholics in Gyumri, and the name of the Cathedral would be a bit unusual for an Armenian (Arakelagan) church.

[Gisasargavak]

What beautiful pictures!  Thank you for sharing.

I have a question about the Cathedral of the Seven Wounds of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri.  Out of curiosity, is that an Armenian-Catholic cathedral (in communion with Rome?)  I'm asking because I've heard that there are a lot of Armenian Catholics in Gyumri, and the name of the Cathedral would be a bit unusual for an Armenian (Arakelagan) church.

Thanks for the compliments.

I'm almost positive the Cathedral is an Arakelagan church, but I could be wrong. I went in there on the Feast of the Holy Translators and they were serving Badarak, but I've heard that the Armenian Catholic liturgy is almost the same as the Apostolic one, so I guess that's no indicator either. However, I was with a group when I went here and I heard no mention of it being Catholic made at all.

[copticmind]

Thanks for sharing these interesting pictures.
The only Armenian Church I have ever seen, was in Cairo, Egypt. It has the same architectural style as the ones you shared with us.
Now I feel more tempted to visit it, and see it from the inside...When I go back to Egypt, God willing.

[Irish Melkite]

Gisasargavak,

Beautiful photos indeed. Thanks for posting them.

Many years,

Neil

I have a question about the Cathedral of the Seven Wounds of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri.  Out of curiosity, is that an Armenian-Catholic cathedral (in communion with Rome?)  I'm asking because I've heard that there are a lot of Armenian Catholics in Gyumri, and the name of the Cathedral would be a bit unusual for an Armenian (Arakelagan) church.

Salpy,

Although the Armenian Catholic Eparchy of Armenia and Eastern Europe has its seat in Gyumri, a significant majority of the population are faithful of the Armenian Apostolic Church.. The Cathedral of the Seven Wounds or Sorrows of the Holy Mother is the cathedral of the Diocese of Shirak of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Many years,

Neil  

[ialmisry]

Thanks for sharing these interesting pictures.
The only Armenian Church I have ever seen, was in Cairo, Egypt. It has the same architectural style as the ones you shared with us.
Now I feel more tempted to visit it, and see it from the inside...When I go back to Egypt, God willing.

The one on Ramsis street?


An oasis in the midst of a concrete jungle.

There is also one on the lovely (at least when I was there. Urban sprawl might have got it now) square in Beirut (the neighborhood in New Cairo/Heliopolis), in yellow stone IIRC under the Vatican.


-sigh-it's been so long.

[copticmind]

^ Yes, I was talking about the one in Ramses Street, I think it has been renovated recently. I may be mistaken but I believe it is the Armenian patriarchate in Cairo, If I am right then it looks like this from inside

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7d/The_Armenian_Orthodox_Patriarchate_and_St._Gregory_The_Illuminator_Armenian_Apostolic_Church_in_Cairo.jpg

And here are more : http://www.agbuegypt.com/Press-Details.aspx?ID=198


I am not familiar with Cairo, and have never seen the one in Beirut street.
It has not been so long for me, but I miss the Church in Egypt dearly.

[Volnutt]

So beautiful! Thanks for posting, Gisasargavak, ialmisry, copticmind.

[CoptoGeek]

Beautiful pics, Gisasargavak. Thanks for sharing them with us.

I've been to the St. Vartan's Cathedral in Manhattan and was humbled to venerate the bones of the Holy Martyrs of the Genocide.

[biro]

Thanks for the wonderful pictures. 

[FrChris]

Wonderful photos!

I've been to the St. Vartan's Cathedral in Manhattan and was humbled to venerate the bones of the Holy Martyrs of the Genocide.

I've been there too! What a small world!

[Orthodox11]

I've been there too! What a small world!

Me too, but for Coptic liturgies, not Armenian ones.

[CoptoGeek]

I've been there too! What a small world!

Me too, but for Coptic liturgies, not Armenian ones.

I would've been honored to meet you both! I've also been to a Coptic Liturgy there; hope you had a chance to meet Fr. Antonious, a truly wonderful man. I think currently the Coptic Church in Manhatten is renting another facility, but it's been some time so I may be mistaken.

[Asteriktos]

Beautiful churches!

[Hiwot]

Sooo beautiful!! Thank you, for sharing this, dear. I just saw this so please forgive me for the long story I am about to tell you but this reminds me of my first encounter with Armenian Christians.
When I was around 10 years old my bible study teacher told me about the universal church. I wanted to find someone who was not an Ethiopian who was of the same faith. Everyone I know who was not Ethiopian was either Roman Catholic or a protestant of some denomination. He told me about the sister churches. He said  one day when you grow up and can go to places by yourself you might get to meet our Armenian brothers and sisters right here in Addis. He told me they were the first to accept the faith as a country and the story of the king who wrote to the Lord. He told me where the Armenian Church was in Addis. So after a few years my secondary school was located a short distance from St. George Armenian Orthodox Church, and I kept looking out as I passed by every weekday hoping to see someone, but it seemed every time I was going to school that was not the time that the church would be open. Until one day I got off from my ride to school a block away from the Church and started walking toward my school and suddenly I looked and the Church was open! I stood and hesitated whether or not I should stand there watch by the outside gait. All I wanted to see was someone, but from where I stood it was not possible to see well, I could vaguely see some people's back. I was in my school uniform, pressed for time, I did not know if I should just stand there and wait until the service was done or not because this is a rare chance to see a Christian from Armenia. While I was still hesitating lo and behold all of a sudden a priest with incredibly beautiful priestly vestment came out with censor in his arms and chanting in his beautiful voice he stood censing and he looked straight at me, well I was the only one by the iron gate with a red school uniform staring with mouth gaped open.  :)So you could say there was no one else to see. But at that time I was like O! My Lord thank You! Thank You! I felt blessed somehow. Well let's just say I was floating that day. I told everyone I could tell how beautiful this priest looked how he was holding a censor exactly like our priests do and how he had a beautiful voice until I started to annoy some with my overexcitement. But that day stayed with me till this day it's a joy and comfort that overtakes me when I meet members of the Church.
Thank you again for all these.I hope God willing I might get to do Pilgrimage to Armenia , see all those Holy places and venerate the holy martyrs of Armenia in the very place that is santified by thier blood.
Blessed day.

[mabsoota]

lovely pictures.
also lovely story, hiwot.
guys who miss egypt - go and visit!
several of my friends have been and returned alive.
yes it's risky, but life is risky anyway, so don't be afraid.
as our previous patriarch said:
كن مطمأنا جدا جدا و لا تفكر في الامر كثيرا بل دع الامر لمن بيده الامر

which roughly translates as: 'be very, very assured and do not think a lot of what is at hand, but leave it to Him who has all things in his hand'.

[Irish Melkite]

What a wonderful stry, Hiwot! Thank you for sharing it.

Many years,

Neil

[Hiwot]

Selam everyone
Mabsoota and Irish Melkite, thank you and for me it is a blessing and an honor to share it with you.

Blessed day:)

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