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  • Karanian Seeks to Elevate Western Armenia in Consciousness of Armeni

    Karanian Seeks to Elevate Western Armenia in Consciousness of
    Armenians with New Book

    Wednesday, December 31st, 2014 | Posted by Matthew Karanian

    Two Armenian clerics, including the Acting Armenian Patriarch of
    Istanbul, officiate at the annual Badarak at Soorp Khatch, on the
    island of Aghtamar, on Lake Van. Photo (c) 2014 Matthew Karanian,
    Reprinted with Permission.


    One hundred years after the Medz Yeghern, the Armenian homeland
    remains unknown to many Armenians and non-Armenians alike. The new
    book 'Historic Armenia After 100 Years' by Matthew Karanian (Stone
    Garden Press, Pub. February 15, 2015) seeks to change this.

    There are many reasons that the Armenian homeland has remained off the
    map for travelers during the past century. The descendants of the
    Armenians who survived the Medz Yeghern--the Great Crime, the Armenian
    Genocide--often choose not to return to their homeland because the
    memories that they received from their ancestors are so painful.

    Others choose not to visit historic Armenia because they believe that
    their presence there will provide economic support to the people who
    have wrongfully displaced the native Armenians.

    Still others, Armenians and non-Armenians alike, do not travel to
    historic Armenia because no one has articulated for them a compelling
    reason to visit. What is there left to learn about, or see, in the
    Armenian homeland? Hasn't everything been destroyed?

    The Medz Yeghern began in 1915 and terminated the 3,000-year history
    of Armenians in their historic homeland. During the past 100 years,
    the population of Armenians in the land of historic Armenia has been
    almost completely eliminated.

    During the one hundred years since 1915, most of the cultural
    monuments of the Armenian nation in historic Western Armenia have been
    eliminated, as well. Churches and monasteries have been bombed,
    khatchkars have been bulldozed, frescoes have been whitewashed.

    But there is still much that remains. Armenian monuments have survived
    in every region, and are in abundance in places such as Ani and Van.
    Armenian churches still function in places such as Kesaria (Kayseri)
    and Diyarbakir. In time, additional churches may be returned to the
    Armenians. Everything has not been destroyed.

    By traveling to historic Armenia, visitors signal their interest in
    these surviving monuments, and in Armenian culture and history. The
    current custodians of Armenian monuments may therefore conclude that
    an ancient church is more valuable as a tourist destination than as
    quarry material for, say, a barn.

    These are some of the logical and rational reasons for visiting
    historic Armenia. But the most compelling reason for visiting has
    nothing to do with either.

    Armenians should visit historic Armenia because it is their homeland.
    No other reason is necessary.

    And non-Armenians should visit to celebrate the culture of the world's
    first Christian state, in a region that is as holy as the Holy Land.

    'Historic Armenia After 100 Years' introduces the reader, region by
    region, to the sites of historic Armenia that exist today, and that
    are worth finding, viewing, and enjoying. The sites that are included
    are the primary sites that should be on your itinerary.

    For the pilgrim who is unable to travel to historic Armenia, this book
    is an alternative to making the journey.

    The Armenian Genocide began in 1915, and after one hundred years, it
    is appropriate to reflect upon all that has been lost in one century.
    But we should also celebrate, and rally to support, all that still
    remains. Because whether we witness the passage of one hundred years,
    or another thousand, this will always be our homeland.

    Adapted from 'Historic Armenia After 100 Years,' (Stone Garden Press,
    $39.95, Pub. Feb. 2015) by Matthew Karanian. Pre-order now for $35
    postpaid in the US from: Stone Garden Productions; PO Box 7758;
    Northridge, CA 91327 or pay with credit card by requesting an invoice
    from [email protected]

    http://asbarez.com/130351/karanian-seeks-to-elevate-western-armenia-in-consciousness-of-armenians-with-new-book/



    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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