When Did the Song Giligia (Cilicia) become the Catholicosate of Cilicia’s Hymn.?

Vahe H. Apelian

This past Easter, Catholicos Aram’s picture, taken at the end of the  mass in the Catholicosate’s cathedral, went viral. He was depicted with teary eyes as the famed “Cilicia – Giligia” song was sung to an almost empty sanctuary  after he had lead the Easter Sunday’s mass.

I also posted Vehapar’s moving picture on my Facebook page. It seemed to encapsulate the mood of the Armenian communities in the Diaspora as each also braves the devastating effects of the Corona virus pandemics as an added burden to the Middle Eastern communities that have been facing dire political and economic situations in Lebanon and in Syria. My posting gave rise to insightful comments.

A friend from Canada, Varoujan Bedrossian, wondered if Cilicia is customarily sung at the end of mass? The hymn obviously is not part of liturgical mass. However, it turns out that the hymn is sung in the St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in the Catholicosate of Cilicia campus in Antelias every Sunday at the end of mass. The rest of the churches sing the song on special occasions and not necessarily in the church but during fellowship after that particular Sunday mass.

Regarding the song, Garo Armenian noted the following.  “Cilicia” is not a folk song though it is very popular. It is a poem by Nahabed Roussinian (19^th Century) fashioned after a French poem bearing the  title of “Normandide" the music is by the 19^th century composer Kaprield Yeranian, also of Constantinople."

St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral and the Genocide Commemoration Chapel 

I became reflective as to when the song became a trademark of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, if not its accepted hymn?

I inquired with Der Torkom Chorbajian, who is the priest of the Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church in Worcester, MA and with my friend Sarkis Mahserejian who, for many years, was the secretary at the West Coast  Prelacy beside being a prolific commentator and writer. Upon confirmation with the Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Sarkis as well as Der Torkom claimed that the tradition of singing the song Giligia, at the end of the mass in the Cathedral of St. Gregory Illuminator, began with Catholicos Zareh I Payasilian, of blessed memory  (1956-1963) who loved the song.

Since then singing Cilicia-Giligia, has become a trademark of sorts or an unofficial hymn of the Catholicosate of Antelias whose seat for centuries was in Sis, in the historic Armenian Cilicia.

The hymn sung by the talented Steve Frounjian in Racine, WI.

The lyrics.

Giligia

"When doors of hope are opened wide,
And dreary winter flees away,
Our beauteous Armenia
Beams forth in glad and smiling day;
When swallows to their nests return
And trees put on their leaves so bright
I yearn for my Cilicia,
The land where first I saw the light.

I’ve seen the wide Vonarian fields
And cedar-clad Mount Lebanon,
Italian shores and Venice fair,
Where gondolas are gliding on;
There’s nothing like our Cyprian isle,
No spot on earth can be so bright,
I yearn for my Cilicia,
The and where first I saw the light.

There comes to each a time of life
When all our hopes have gone at last,
The poor soul longs and strives no more;
And dwells alone upon the past;
The, when my breaking harp, unstrung
Shall sing to hope a last good-night,
I’ll sleep in my Cilicia,
The land where I first saw the light.
The land where first I saw the light..."

Կիլիկիա

Երբոր բացուին դռներն յուսոյ
եւ մեր երկրէն փախ տայ ձմեռ
Չքնաղ երկիրն մեր Արմենիոյ
երբ փայլի իւր քաղցրիկ օրեր
Երբոր ծիծառն իւր բոյն դառնայ
երբոր ծառերն հագնին տերեւ՝
ցանկամ տեսնել զիմ Կիլիկիա
Աշխարհ՝ որ ինձ ետուր արեւ

Տեսի դաշտերն Սուրիոյ
Լեառն Լիբանան եւ իւր մայրեր
տեսի զերկիրն Իտալիոյ
Վենետիկ եւ իւր կոնտոլներ
կղզի նման չիք մեր Կիպրեայ
եւ ոչ մէկ վայր է արդարեւ
գեղեցիկ քան զիմ Կիլիկիա
Աշխարհ՝ որ ինձ ետուր արեւ

Հասակ մը կայ մեր կենաց մէջ
ուր ամենայն իղձ կ’աւարտի
Հասակ մը ուր հոգին ի տենչ՝
յիշատակաց իւր կարօտի
Յորժամ քնարն իմ ցրտանայ
սիրոյն տալով վերջին բարեւ՝
երթամ ննջել յիմ Կիլիկիա
Աշխարհ՝ որ ինձ ետուր արեւ

“The Last Day and the Last Days of Catholicos Karekin” - 1 -

“The last day and the last days of Catholicos Karekin” is the poignant narration by Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian. The write-up was placed in the testimonial book about the archbishop. The book is titled “Living Faith, the Life & Service of Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian.” (see the link below). His narration about the life and death of Karekin I Catholicos of All Armenians is for history. Attached is my translation of the archbishop’s narration. Catholicos Karekin Sarkissian is the only Armenian supreme patriarch of the Apostolic Church that occupied two pontifical seats, that of Cilician Catholicosate in Antelias and in Etchmiadzin. Vahe H Apelian

"Everything is accomplished."

  The tragedy of the cross of Karekin Catholicos has come to its end. The funeral ceremonies have come to an end. The official expressions of mourning are over. The venerable Karekin now rests next to his predecessor of blessed memory Catholicos Vazken I of all Armenians, in Etchmiadzin church courtyard. 

Karekin Catholicos, the one who wrote his whole life with a sense of history and almost lived his whole life for history, belongs to history. Now, I am also thrown onto the ocean of the waves of his life’s history. On the night of July 8, I am sitting in the yard of the Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral, almost alone. Unfortunately, I am not by myself. There are shadowy figures here and there. They are waiting. They come and go. They whisper. They show signs of impatience. This moment of the night, a little after 12 midnight, is not unfamiliar hour for me. There have been many nights when, after a long conversation, I have taken leave of Catholicos Karekin and quietly walked from the monastery to my monk's room. In those days, the Etchmiadzin Cathedral was silent and the fragments of light that emanated from the five domes, symbolized to me our history. The fragments of light, portrayed the faces of the Armenian Church luminaries.  While walking, I felt that our elders were walking with me. Gregory the Illuminator and King Trdats were talking about the construction of the new Cathedral. Saint Mesrop and Saint Sahak wer taking a walk contemplating. Vahan Mamikonian was planning to renovate the cathedral. Then came bright and dark centuries of  Catholicos Movses Datevatsi, Hakob Jughayetsi, Nerses Ashataraketsi, Khrimian. Who has not threaded in Etchmiadzin and not written a page of Armenian history?

Now there are other people – clergymen from Echmiadzin. Others representing the Cilician See. There are also random travelers, who have come and are waiting for the Catholicos of Cilicia, Aram I.

Catholicos Aram Vehapar was in Etchmiadzin for the funeral of the Catholicos Karein I of All Armenians. Before returning to Antelias, Catholicos Aram wanted to bow once more in front of the grave of his predecessor on the Catholicosate Cilicia Throne.

Catholicos Aram I, finally arrived. Prayer, requiem, farewell speech was said. Catholicos Aram announced that he has brought soil from the Zarehian tomb in Antelias and wanted to sprinkle it on the newly dug grave of Catholicos Karekin. He spread the soil. Blessed the grave and anointed it with a sign of the cross.

Then he said, "and now I wish all of us together". But he could not finish the sentence and could not continue. He suddenly burst into tears. It took all of us by surprise. But we understood what Aram Vehapar wanted and the song rose from our chests.

“When the door for hopes will open,

And when winter will leave our country,

Our graceful Armenian country –“

I felt that tears were pouring from my eyes, as hot drops, down my  cheeks. They were stubbornly absent during the days of interment and burial. Those around me are just as moved. Some remember the days of the election of Catholicos Zareh. Others the Holy Father Catholicos Karekin, who sang Nahabed Rousinian's "Cilicia" in such a heartily manner. The song  had become a hymn, a march, an anthem.

We sang that song at the grave of Catholicos Karekin, a little bit subdued. What could I say? But let me say that I wished that we sang that song during the funeral and that Catholicos Aram mixed the Cilician soil with that of Etchmiadzin in the presence of everyone. But Catholicos Aram did not do so. Maybe he did not find a suitable moment for it. But I know that that single song became embodiement of the tragic  life of Catholicos Karekin. After all, he was the son of Kessab, the only Armenian border village of what once the Armenian Cilicia. Young Nshan Sarkissian was the most promising student of the seminary of the Catholicosate of Cilicia. He became its most eloquent Patriarch. Then  came the waves of Armenia's independence that brought him to Etchmiadzin and he became the Catholicos of All Armenians. Perhaps he himself tried to forget his past as the Catholicos of Cilicia, and embrace his new role as the new Catholicos of All Armenians. But everyone continued to see in him the Catholicos of the Cilician See. He could not separate himself from his past. It is a pity that there was no time that night to ask Aram Vehapar to have a small stone placed in the Zarehian tomb in Antelias to remember that Karekin Catholicos of All Armenians, was also the Catholicos of Cilicia for 18 years.  Let there be a piece of stone to remember him in Antelias,and not leave him unburied there.

Indeed, in 1995, he was elected Catholicos of All Armenians under some strange circumstances. The enthusiasm was great. The hope was bright. The expectations were high. But life had something else in store for him. The erudite clergyman, the radiant personality, had a sad ending. A cruel and merciless pain gnawed him was emaciated his soul. No one knew that pain. The blow inflicted by the cancer was strong. The cancerous wound was open and deep. Everyone saw that wound. But the majestic soul died from other pains. To this day no one knows that pain and the depth of his other wound.

It is very early to analyze the life of Catholicos Karekin, his personality, the deep waves of his psychological make up; to open the pages of his soul, and to know how that the eagle who hovered over the heights of Cilicia, roosted on the slopes of Ararat, and how, contrary to all expectations, the eagle mortally tumbled down its wings clipped. With his premature death, Catholicos Karekin limited his place in the history of the Armenian Church, where he seemed, he was destined to write a golden page. I am forced to draw a parallel with one of his predecessors, Catholicos Mattheos Izmirlian, the "Iron Patriarch" and his fate. He also came to Etchmiadzin with great charm, but within two years, plummeted broken down.

***

Catholicos Karekin is no more. I want to write down the history of the last days of his life. Whatever I have to say is subjective. My relationship with the Holy Father was subjective that started from the days of my boyhood. Strangely, my father passed away that same week.  I was a 13 years old lad. Most likely, it was because of it that Catholicos Karekin always retained the image of a father to me. But he was a young father. There was not a big age difference between the two of us. Nevertheless, that connection remained, strengthened in time, became close, sometimes harsh, but always sincere. He also became a mentor, a teacher, a role model to me, and I followed him, as a humble student, as the principal of the seminary, as the prelate in Iran and lastly as the prelate in the United States of America. I was also an ardent supporter of his election as Catholicos of All Armenians, even though I took my last step to follow him late and did not move to Etchmiadzin together with him. I stayed in America until the end of my term. What was the dictate of my tenure, was an unexpected alienation for him.

To be continued....,

***

Link: Cilicia song by Stepan Frounjian

http://vhapelian.blogspot.com/search?q=Cilicia+

*

Link: “Living Faith, the Life & Service of Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian"

http://vhapelian.blogspot.com/2024/02/archbishop-mesrob-ashjian-and-mughni.html

*

Հաերէն բնագիրը

http://vhapelian.blogspot.com/2024/02/12.html

***

 

Once an American Orphanage Now Catholicosate of Cilicia Seat

The attached is reproduced from a booklet, presumably published in the early 1950s, by the Catholicosate of Cilicia for fundraising purposes. It presents a brief history of the re-establishing of the Catholicosate of Sis in Antelias, Lebanon and conveys its needs during its early years. 

HISTORICAL STATEMENT

In 1921, after the massacres and the deportation of the Armenians from their fatherland, Sahag II, Catholicos of Cilicia, took refuge in Syria with the remnants of his flock, numbering about 200,000.  Until 1930, His Holiness, himself a refugee, did not have religious quarters in which to reside, nor facilities to organize the spiritual and educational affairs of its people. Prior to 1921, for several centuries, the Seat of the Cilician Armenian Catholicosate has been Sis in Cilicia. At the present time, although the seat is established in Antelias, Lebanon, nevertheless the Holy See reserves its original historical name, viz., THE ARMENIAN CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA.

The American Near East Foundation had been helping the Armenian refugees to settle in Syria and Lebanon, had an orphanage for Armenians since 1922 in Antelias, a village about six miles from the city of Beirut, Lebanon This orphanage with its buildings and premises, had been vacant since 1928. Upon the petition in 1929, of the Catholicos to the Executive Committee of the Near East Foundation, they were put under his disposition for a period of five years to be used as the Seat of the Catholicosate and as a Seminary for training priests and teachers, to meet the religious and educational needs of the Armenians in the Near East. The Executive Committee also determined to contribute $6000 to $7000 yearly, and some Armenian benefactors an additional $5000 for the maintenance of the Seminary.

Catholicos Sahag invited Bishop Papken Gulesserian as Catholicos Co-adjuctor, and Shahe Vartabed Kasparian of Boston, Mass. as Dean of the Seminary, in order to organize the Dioceses of the Holy See and lay the foundation for the Seminary. In the years to follow, these two noble clergymen became the soul and the pillars of the Catholicosate and the Seminary.

After the celebration of the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, October 12, 1930, the Seminary was officially opened: classes were started the following day with an enrollment of 38 students.

Upon the completion of this period of five years, the Near East Foundation discontinued its annual appropriation and the Seminary was left to the meager resources of the Holy See. As a consequence, the number of students, previously 43 to 45, was lowered to about 20.

Unfortunately, in November 1935, the Dean of the Seminary died. A few months later, the Holy See lost Catholicos –Coadjutor Papken Gulesserian. Their death was a severe blow to the ‘newly flowering'" Seminary and the Catholicosate. But the venerable 88-year old clergyman, Sahag II, was never despondent, he appointed Archbishop Bedros Sarajian as his Locum Tenens. The latter opened a campaign to secure financial means for the purchase of the Antelias property and for the sustenance of the Seminary and the Catholicosate. Many Armenians responded to the call. Mr. and Mrs. Simon and Mathilda Kayekian of Cairo, Egypt, made possible the purchase of the property from the Near East Foundation by a generous donation of $19,000. From the contributions of the people, a sum of $30,000 was raised, with which a new Seminary building and a residence for the Catholicos were erected.

On May 10, 1943, Archbishop Karekin Hovsepian, the Prelate of the Armenian Church in North America was elected Catholicos of Cilicia. Before his coming to Anetlias, his Golden Jubilee had been celebrated in the United States and in Egypt, and all the proceeds, amounting to $100,000, were allotted to the Holy See. The faculty of the Seminary was increased by new competent professors. The number of students was raised from 22 to 43. Terenig Vartabed Poladian of New York was appointed Dean of the Seminary.

Antelias, once an orphanage, is now a center of learning and knowledge giving forth its good fruit in due season. This Seminary is truly called "The noblest Armenian educational enterprise in the Near East".

THE SEMINARY

The Seminary is the center of religious education of the Catholicosate. Its aim is to prepare young men enriched in faith, knowledge, and vision as qualified clergy or teachers thoroughly devoted to the ministry of the Holy Armenian Church and the Armenian people.

At present, the Seminary has 38 students. In October 1948, the number will be raised to 53. The faculty is composed of eleven professors. It is the only institution in Diaspora, which possesses a faculty of such high reputation. The Dean is Bishop Terenig Poladian.

The Seminary has two divisions:

The Preparatory Institute (Jarankavorats - Ժառանգաւորած): This is composed of our years' course for advanced education, dealing mainly with languages, sciences, mathematics, and history.

The School of Theology (Entsayaran - Ընծայարան): This is composed of three years' course in theological and philosophical studies.

The Seminary provides facilities for recreation in sports and games, such as tennis, volleyball, basketball, and swimming.

Students participate also in extra-curricular activities, such as religious and social work.

Graduates: So far the Seminary has produced 20 clergyman and 42 teachers. These graduates are serving in various Armenian dioceses, institutions, and schools in Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Cyprus, the United States, and Armenia, in the capacity of prelates, principals, and teachers.

The Seminary sends some of its graduates to American and European Universities to acquire them with Western thought. These graduates, upon their return, devote themselves to teaching.

CATHEDRAL OF ST. GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR

The Cathedral was constructed in 1938-40 through the generous donation of an Armenian who remained anonymous until after his death when his son disclosed him to be Mr. Sarkis Kenadjian, from Constantinople. The Cathedral is one of the largest and most beautiful buildings in Lebanon.

MARTYRS MEMORIAL CHAPEL

The Chapel is dedicated to the memory of millions of Armenians who were massacred with ineffable brutality by the Turks during the First World War. Every year on April 24th, a commemorative Holy Mass is celebrated. From the dome hangs an unquenchable lamp symbolizing Eternal Light shining over the Souls of the Martyrs.

THE LIBRARY

The Library contains catalaqued about 8000 bound volumes and 3000 pamphlets. There is also a collection of manuscript material. The volumes are crowded in wooden shelves; steel stacks are urgently needed. There is a great want for encyclopedias, dictionaries, and books in English, French, and Armenian on theology, literary and educational subjects.

OTHER FACTS

The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia comprised of 160,000 people has four dioceses, Aleppo, Lebanon, Damascus, and Cyprus. The people are economically poor, especially since the outbreak of the hostilities in Palestine. The annual expenditures of the Holy See amount to about $48,000. The normal income is only about one-third of this sum. The greater part must be provided by the generous contributions of the benefactors and pious people. The Seminary has a few benefactors in the United States, Egypt, Cyprus, France, and England, each of whom pays the annual expenses of a student, who has been adopted in his name. It should be noted that the tuition, room, board, clothing, physical care, etc. of the students are provided by the Seminary, free of charge. the yearly cost for each Seminarian is $750.

THE NEEDS OF THE HOLY SEE

Library building

Seminary Annex building

Linotype

Rooms for Vartabeds and Deacons.

Benefactors for adopting students in their names.

Memorials may be established for donations made towards filling these needs. in part or in whole. In whatever form given, the memorial lives on in the Church and through the students who receive its benefit. The memorials are commemorated annually on a special day, during the celebration of the Divine Liturgy.

Such donations, or will be made through the Association to Aid Catholicosate of Cilicia which was established in 1944 by His Holiness Karekin Hovsepian. The association maintains branches in many cities. The address of the Executive Committee is Mr. Mihran Karagheusian, 295 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY, or through

THE ARMENIAN CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA

ANTELIAS, LEBANON.

Note: The date of the publication is not noted. It presumably is in the early 1950s.

All about the famed song “Cilicia”

Dr. Armenag Yeghiayan’s,  Sunday April 21, 2024, mailing was labeled “Frédéric Bérat, "Ma Normandie”. But I labeled my translation as noted in the title “All about the famed song “Cilicia”,  and attached the original to the translation. Բնագիրը կգուած է։ Vahe H Apelian

 

Frédéric Bérat՝ (1801-1855) was  a contemporary of the previous two writers, Arvers and Lamartine, and is immortalized for his lyrics of one song, Ma Normandie, which under the pen of Mgrditch Beshigtashlian / Mkrtich Peshiktashlian would become "Homeland’s Song" («Երգ հայրենի») and under the pen of Nahabed Rusinian / Nahapet Rusinian, " Cilicia" («Կիլիկիա»).

Frédéric Bérat was one of the sought-after songwriters of his time, almost like today's Aznavour. He wrote his songs, arranged the music and sang them. At the same time, he was a much sought-after comedian who graced the stages of France and brought warmth at his social meetings.

He died of a spinal cord infection, just like Arvers, having been born and lived almost the same years as Arvers’.

"Ma Normandie" survived from his numerous productions. That is how he is remembered, not only in his birthplace, Normandy, but also throughout France as well as elsewhere.

*   *   *

Ma Normandie

Quand tout renaît à l'espérance,                       When everything  is reborn in hope,

Et que l'hiver fuit loin de nous,                        And winter flees far from us,

Sous le beau ciel de notre France,                     Under the beautiful sky of our France

Quand le soleil revient plus doux,                     When the sun returns gentler,

Quand la nature est reverdie,                           When nature has turned green again,

Quand l'hirondelle est de retour,                      When the swallow has returned,

J'aime à revoir ma Normandie,                         I like to see again my Normandy,

C'est le pays qui m'a donné le jour.                   It’s the country where I was born.

J'ai vu les lacs de l'Helvétie                               I have seen the fields of Helvetia, 

Et ses chalets et ses glaciers,                             And its chalets and its glaciers,

J'ai vu le ciel de l'Italie,                                    I have seen the sky of Italy,

Et Venise et ses gondoliers.                              And Venice and its gondoliers.

En saluant chaque patrie,                                 Greeting each homeland,

Je me disais : «Aucun séjour                              I told myself that no stand

N'est plus beau que ma Normandie,                  Is finer  than my Normandy,

C'est le pays qui m'a donné le jour».                 It’s the country where I was born.

Il est un âge dans la vie,                                    There comes a time of life,

Où chaque rêve doit finir,                                When every dream must end,

Un âge où l'âme recueillie                                A time when the restful soul

A besoin de se souvenir.                                   Needs to remember,

Lorsque ma muse refroidie                               When my chilled muse

Aura fini  ses chants d'amour,                           Makes its way back to the past,

J'irai revoir ma Normandie,                              I’ll go see again  my Normandy,

C'est le pays qui m'a donné le jour.                   It’s the country where I was born.

 

The English translation is almost literal, nowhere did the translator depart from the original. While a couple of  the "translations" to Armenian are quite far from the original. They may be considered literary works of their own to be called translation. In other words, they are faithful to the original, in general terms.

                                                      *    *    *

Mkrtich Beshiktashlian (Մկրտիչ Պէշիկթաշլեան) - 1828-1868 -,  learned about  'Ma Normandie ' poem when the Mkhitarian order was educating him as one of their students from 1839-1845. The date of his penning the poem is not known. It was published for the first time in "Pazmaveb" in 1850 (number 14), under the title "Homeland's Song" («Երգ հայրենի»). The editors noted the following in a comment «when everything is reborn with hope".

Despite it being one of the best examples of Armenian lyric poetry, "Homelan's Song" is not sufficiently read in Armenian. It is written in a simple and clear style. I have reworded it in current vernacular (see attached), and presented it to the readers along the original as my modest tribute to this gifted poet and patriotic Armenian.

*    *    *

«Երգ հայրենի»,

Մինչդեռ յուսով խայտայ բնութիւն               Մինչ  յոյսով կը խայտայ բնութիւնը

Յետ դառնաշունչ ձմերայնւոյն                      Դառնաշունչ ձմեռէն ետք, 

Եւ ի գաւառն իմ հայրենի                               Եւ դէպի իմ հայրենի գաւառս

Գեղածիծաղ դառնայ գարուն,                       Կը դառնայ գեղածիծաղ գարունը,

Մինչ բոյր ի բոյր փթթին ծաղկունք               Մինչ  բոյր ի բոյր կը փթթին ծաղիկները

Եւ ճռուողեն նորեկ ծիծռունք,−                      Եւ կը ճռուողեն նորեկ  ծիծեռնակները,−

Ի քեզ ես դարձ առնեմ յայնժամ,                    Քեզի կը դառնամ այն ատեն,

Ո՛վ ցանկալիդ իմ Հայաստան:                      Ո՛վ ցանկալիդ իմ Հայաստան:

Ո՛չ հելվետեան ինձ դաշտավայրք                Ո՛չ զուիցերիական դաշտավայրերը

Կամ թէ զուարթ մարգագետինք,                   Կամ թէ զուարթ մարգագետինները,

Ո՛չ քան զքեզ չքնաղագեղ                              Ո՛չ ալ քեզմէ աւելի չքնաղագեղ է

Իտալական պայծառ երկինք.                        Իտալական պայծառ երկինքը. 

Հեռի քեզմէ պանդուխտ գոլով՝                      Քեզմէ հեռու պանդուխտ դարձած՝   

Քոյովդ յար տապիմ անձկով,−                      Քու  կարօտովըդ կ’այրիմ յար,−        

Ի խանձարուրդ իմոց կենաց,                        Քեզի՝  կեանքիս խանձարուրիդ, 

Ո՛վ Հայաստան, առնեմ ես դարձ:                 Ո՛վ Հայաստան, ես կը  դառնամ:

Գայցեն աւուրք, ուր մանկութեան                Պիտի գայ այն օրն,  ուր մատղաշ  

Անկցի տիոցս իմ գեղ դալար,                        Հասակիս  դալար գեղը  խամրի,

Եւ յինէն խոյս տացեն վայելք                         Եւ ինձմէ խոյս պիտի տան կեանքի

Կենաց թեթեւ  ի գարշապար,                        Վայելքները ՝ թեթեւ ոտքերով,

Ուր հէգ մուսայս մատն ի յերեր                     Երբ հէգ մուսաս,  երերուն  մատով,

Մոռանայցէ երգել զսէր,−                               Պիտի մոռնայ սէրը երգել,−

Զնինջ ի ծոցդ առնում յայնժամ,                     Այն ատեն   ծոցիդ մէջ պիտի ննջեմ, 

Ո՛վ  ցանկալիդ իմ Հայաստան:                     Ո՜վ ցանկալիդ իմ Հայաստան:

***

Nahabed Rusinian  (Նահապետ Ռուսինեան) - 1819-1876 - came across Ma Normandie in 1850s, when he was a medical student in Paris, and was very enthused about the 1848 French Revolution. However, his translation under the title "Cilicia" took place due to  other circumstances.

In 1858-59, another series of bloody Christian-Islamic clashes flared up in Lebanon and Syria with an unprecedented ferocity. It first flared up on Mount Lebanonn, between Maronites and Druze, then in Damascus, between Christians and Muslim and Druze combined forces. In view of the growing losses of the Christians, Napoleon III had the  French fleet anchored off the coast of Lebanon and demanded the Sultan intervene in Mount Lebanon and grant the Christians an autonous rule.  

The Sultan complied with all the demands of the  emperor and appointed an Armenian governor by the name Daoud Pasha (1861-68). The sultan also sent a medical team to treat the wounded. Nahabed Rusinian was among them. The team left Constantinople, crossed Aleppo, entered Syria, arrived to Damascus and reached Mount Lebanon. Nahabed Rusinian probably seperated from the group and went to Cyprus and from there to Cilicia.

It is under the impression of his medical mission and experiences that Rusinian wrote this poem in 1860 and titled it «Cilicia». The second stanza of the lyrics is a faithful to the original, while the rest is elaboration by the author. In the same year or the following, Gabriel Yeranian (1827-1862),  who died prematurely,  composed the music of the well known song «Ciliicia».        

*   *   *

Կիլիկիա

 

 1. Երբոր բացուին դռներն յուսոյ                         2. Տեսի դաշտերն Սուրիոյ,

Եւ մեր երկրէն փախ տայ ձմեռ,                            Լեառն Լիբանան եւ իւր մայրեր¹, 

Չքնաղ երկիրն մեր Արմէնիոյ,                              Տեսի զերկիրն Իտալիոյ,

Երբ փայլէ իւր քաղցրիկ օրեր.                              Վենետիկ եւ իւր կոնտոլներ.

Երբոր ծիծառն ի բոյն դառնայ,                              Կղզու նման չիք մեր Կիպրեայ, 

Երբոր ծառերն հագնին տերեւ,—                         Եւ ոչ մէկ վայր է արդարեւ 

Ցանկամ տեսնել զիմ Կիլիկիա,                            Գեղեցիկ, քան զիմ Կիլիկիա,—

Աշխարհ, որ ինձ ետուր արեւ:                              Աշխարհ, որ ինձ ետուր արեւ:  

 

3. Հասակ  մը²     կայ մեր կենաց մէջ,                  Յորժամ քնարն իմ ցրտանայ՝

Ուր ամենայն իղձ կ’աւարտի.                               Սիրոյն տալով վերջին բարեւ,— 

Հասակ մը, ուր հոգին ի տենչ `                             Երթամ ննջել յիմ Կիլիկիա³,

Յիշատակաց իւր կարօտի.                                    Աշխարհ, որ ինձ ետուր արեւ:

            

1. Մայրիները          2. Տարիք մը     3. Կիլիկիոյ մէջ (ներգոյական հոլով)

Unofficial hymn of the Catholicosate of Antelias

(I quote from my blog dated April 14, 2020)

I became reflective as to when the song - Cilicia - became a trademark of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, if not its accepted hymn?

I inquired with Der Torkom Chorbajian, who is the priest of the Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church in Worcester, MA and with my friend Sarkis Mahserejian who, for many years, was the secretary at the West Coast  Prelacy. Upon confirmation with the Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Sarkis as well as Der Torkom claimed that the tradition of singing the song Giligia / Cilicia, at the end of the mass in the Cathedral of St. Gregory Illuminator in Antelias - began with Catholicos Zareh I Payasilian, of blessed memory  (1956-1963) who loved the song.

Since then singing Cilicia-Giligia, has become a trademark of sorts or an unofficial hymn of the Catholicosate of Cilicia in Antelias whose seat for centuries was in Sis, in the historic Armenian Cilicia.

The hymn sung by the talented Stepan Frounjian in Racine, WI.

Բնագիրը՝

Frédéric Bérat՝    Ma Normandie

         Պերա ժամանակակից է (1801—1855) նախորդ երկուքին՝ Առվերին եւ Լամարթինին, եւ իր կարգին անմահացած է իր մէ՛կ երգովը՝  Ma Normandie-ով, որ Մկրտիչ Պեշիկթաշլեանի գրիչին տակ պիտի դառնար «Երգ հայրենի», իսկ Նահապետ Ռուսինեանի գրիչին տակ՝ «Կիլիկիա»:

            Պերա եղած է իր ժամանակի  փնտռուած երգահաններէն, մօտաւորապէս  մերօրեայ Ազնաւուրը. ան կը գրէր իր երգերը, կը յօրինէր երաժշտութիւնն ու կ’երգէր զանոնք: Այս բոլորին հետ միաժամանակ եղած է շատ փնտռուած զուարթաբան մը, որ զարդարած է Ֆրանսայի բեմերը եւ  ջերմութիւն բերած է անոր ընկերական հանդիպումներուն:

            Մեռած է ողնածուծային վարակէ մը՝ ճիշդ Առվերին պէս, մօտաւորապէս անոր հետ ալ ծնած ու ապրած ըլլալով  նո՛յն տարիներուն:

            Անոր բազմաթիւ արտադրութիւններէն  ապրեցաւ   Ma Normandie-ն: Ասով է որ կը յիշուի ան՝ ի մասնաւորի ծննդավայրին՝ Նորմանտիի, բայց նաեւ ամբողջ Ֆրանսայի մէջ: Ինչու չէ նաեւ անկէ դուրս:

*   *   *

Quand tout renaît à l'espérance,                       When everything  is reborn in hope,

Et que l'hiver fuit loin de nous,                        And winter flees far from us,

Sous le beau ciel de notre France,                     Under the beautiful sky of our France

Quand le soleil revient plus doux,                     When the sun returns gentler,

Quand la nature est reverdie,                           When nature has turned green again,

Quand l'hirondelle est de retour,                      When the swallow has returned,

J'aime à revoir ma Normandie,                         I like to see again my Normandy,

C'est le pays qui m'a donné le jour.                   It’s the country where I was born.

J'ai vu les lacs de l'Helvétie                               I have seen the fields of Helvetia, 

Et ses chalets et ses glaciers,                             And its chalets and its glaciers,

J'ai vu le ciel de l'Italie,                                    I have seen the sky of Italy,

Et Venise et ses gondoliers.                              And Venice and its gondoliers.

En saluant chaque patrie,                                 Greeting each homeland,

Je me disais : «Aucun séjour                              I told myself that no stand

N'est plus beau que ma Normandie,                  Is finer  than my Normandy,

C'est le pays qui m'a donné le jour».                 It’s the country where I was born.

Il est un âge dans la vie,                                    There comes a time of life,

Où chaque rêve doit finir,                                When every dream must end,

Un âge où l'âme recueillie                                A time when the restful soul

A besoin de se souvenir.                                   Needs to remember,

Lorsque ma muse refroidie                               When my chilled muse

Aura fini  ses chants d'amour,                           Makes its way back to the past,

J'irai revoir ma Normandie,                              I’ll go see again  my Normandy,

C'est le pays qui m'a donné le jour.                   It’s the country where I was born.

Անգլերէն թարգմանութիւնը գրեթէ բառացի է. ոչ մէկ տեղ թարգմանիչը հեռացած է բնագիրէն: Մինչ հայերէն զոյգ «թարգմանութիւնները» բաւական հեռու են բնագիրէն. անոնք թարգմանութենէ անդին անցած՝ ազատ ստեղծագործութիւն են. այլ խօսքով՝ ընդհանուր գիծերու մէջ միայն հաւատարիմ են բնագիրին:

                                                      *    *    *

Պեշիկթաշլեան (1828—1868)՝ Մխիթարեաննե-րուն սան եղած  միջոցին՝ 1839—1845, ճանչցած էր Ma Normandie-ն.  յօրինման  թուականը ծանօթ չէ: Առաջին անգամ  լոյս տեսաւ «Բազմավէպ»-ի մէջ 1850-ին (թիւ 14)՝ «Երգ հայրենի» խորագրով. խմբագրութիւնը իր կողմէ աւելցուցած էր  «հետեւողութեամբ “Quand tout renaît à l’espérance”-ի» մակագրութիւնը:

            Հայ քնարերգութեան լաւագոյն նմուշներէն ըլլա-լով հանդերձ՝ «Երգ հայրենի»-ն բաւականաչափ չէ ընթերցուած  լեզուական պատ-ճառով. գրուած է պարզ ու վճիտ  գրաբարով. կու տամ բառացի թարգմանութեամբ:

            Ահա, ուրեմն,  առիթ մը՝ մեր յարգանքի մէկ համեստ տուրքը մատուցելու  այս շնորհալի  բանաստեղծին եւ բիւրեղատիպ  հայուն:

*    *    *

Մինչդեռ յուսով խայտայ բնութիւն               Մինչ  յոյսով կը խայտայ բնութիւնը

Յետ դառնաշունչ ձմերայնւոյն                      Դառնաշունչ ձմեռէն ետք, 

Եւ ի գաւառն իմ հայրենի                               Եւ դէպի իմ հայրենի գաւառս

Գեղածիծաղ դառնայ գարուն,                       Կը դառնայ գեղածիծաղ գարունը,

Մինչ բոյր ի բոյր փթթին ծաղկունք               Մինչ  բոյր ի բոյր կը փթթին ծաղիկները

Եւ ճռուողեն նորեկ ծիծռունք,−                      Եւ կը ճռուողեն նորեկ  ծիծեռնակները,−

Ի քեզ ես դարձ առնեմ յայնժամ,                    Քեզի կը դառնամ այն ատեն,

Ո՛վ ցանկալիդ իմ Հայաստան:                      Ո՛վ ցանկալիդ իմ Հայաստան:

Ո՛չ հելվետեան ինձ դաշտավայրք                Ո՛չ զուիցերիական դաշտավայրերը

Կամ թէ զուարթ մարգագետինք,                   Կամ թէ զուարթ մարգագետինները,

Ո՛չ քան զքեզ չքնաղագեղ                              Ո՛չ ալ քեզմէ աւելի չքնաղագեղ է

Իտալական պայծառ երկինք.                        Իտալական պայծառ երկինքը. 

Հեռի քեզմէ պանդուխտ գոլով՝                      Քեզմէ հեռու պանդուխտ դարձած՝   

Քոյովդ յար տապիմ անձկով,−                      Քու  կարօտովըդ կ’այրիմ յար,−        

Ի խանձարուրդ իմոց կենաց,                        Քեզի՝  կեանքիս խանձարուրիդ, 

Ո՛վ Հայաստան, առնեմ ես դարձ:                 Ո՛վ Հայաստան, ես կը  դառնամ:

Գայցեն աւուրք, ուր մանկութեան                Պիտի գայ այն օրն,  ուր մատղաշ  

Անկցի տիոցս իմ գեղ դալար,                        Հասակիս  դալար գեղը  խամրի,

Եւ յինէն խոյս տացեն վայելք                         Եւ ինձմէ խոյս պիտի տան կեանքի

Կենաց թեթեւ  ի գարշապար,                        Վայելքները ՝ թեթեւ ոտքերով,

Ուր հէգ մուսայս մատն ի յերեր                     Երբ հէգ մուսաս,  երերուն  մատով,

Մոռանայցէ երգել զսէր,−                               Պիտի մոռնայ սէրը երգել,−

Զնինջ ի ծոցդ առնում յայնժամ,                     Այն ատեն   ծոցիդ մէջ պիտի ննջեմ, 

Ո՛վ  ցանկալիդ իմ Հայաստան:                     Ո՜վ ցանկալիդ իմ Հայաստան:

            Նահապետ Ռուսինեան (1819—1876) ինք  Ma Normandie-ն ճանչցած է 1850-ականներուն, երբ բժշկութեան ուսանող էր Փարիզ եւ մեծապէս խանդավառ 1848-ի 

Ֆրանսական յեղափոխութեամբ: Սակայն անոր մշակումը՝ «Կիլիկիա» խորագիրով, տեղի ունեցաւ ուրիշ հանգամանքներու բերումով:

             1858—59 տարիներուն Լիբանանի մէջ աննախընթաց թափով մը  վերաբռնկեցան քրիստոնեայ-իսլամ արիւնալի հերթական  բախումները. նախ՝ Լեռնալիբանանի մէջ՝ մարոնիներու եւ տիւրզիներու միջեւ, ապա  Դամասկոսի մէջ՝ քրիստոնեաներու  եւ իսլամ-տիւրզի միացեալ ուժերու միջեւ: Քրիստոնեաներու ահագնացող կորուստներուն ի տես՝  Նափոլէոն Գ.  նաւատորմիղը խարսխեց Լիբանանի ափերուն եւ պահանջեց սուլթանի միջամտութիւնն ու Լեռնալիբանանի ինքնավարութիւնը՝ քրիստոնեայ կառավարիչով մը:

            Սուլթանը  կայսեր բոլոր պահանջներուն ենթարկուեցաւ:

            Նշանակեց հայ կառավարիչ մը՝ Տաուտ փաշան՝ 1861—68:

            Ան  շրջան ղրկեց նաեւ  բժշկական սեղմ խմբակ մը, որ իր օգնութիւնը պիտի  բերէր տուժածներուն. Ռուսինեան մաս կը կազմէր այդ խմբակին:

            Անոնք Պոլիսէն ելլելով  եւ Հալէպի վրայով մտան Սուրիա՝ հասնելով մինչեւ Դամասկոս, ասկէ անցան Լիբանան. ուրկէ անդին Ռուսինեան, հաւանաբար  խումբէն բաժնուելով,  հանգրուանեց  Կիպրոս եւ անկէ անցաւ  Կիլիկիա...

            Անոր երգին բ. տունը  հաւատարիմ արձանագրութիւնն է այս ուղեծիրին,  որուն վրայ աւելցած են եւրոպական  ծանօթութիւնները: Ահա այս  առաքելութեան   խոր ու անմիջական  տպաւորութեան տակ ալ գրուած է «Կիլիկիա»-ն՝ 1860-ին:  

            Նոյն կամ յաջորդ տարին իսկ պէտք է յօրինուած ըլլայ անոր շատ  ծանօթ երաժշտութիւնը՝ վաղամեռիկ երգահան Գաբրիէլ Երանեանի կողմէ (1827—1862):

*   *   *

 1. Երբոր բացուին դռներն յուսոյ                         2. Տեսի դաշտերն Սուրիոյ,

Եւ մեր երկրէն փախ տայ ձմեռ,                            Լեառն Լիբանան եւ իւր մայրեր¹, 

Չքնաղ երկիրն մեր Արմէնիոյ,                              Տեսի զերկիրն Իտալիոյ,

Երբ փայլէ իւր քաղցրիկ օրեր.                              Վենետիկ եւ իւր կոնտոլներ.

Երբոր ծիծառն ի բոյն դառնայ,                              Կղզու նման չիք մեր Կիպրեայ, 

Երբոր ծառերն հագնին տերեւ,—                         Եւ ոչ մէկ վայր է արդարեւ 

Ցանկամ տեսնել զիմ Կիլիկիա,                            Գեղեցիկ, քան զիմ Կիլիկիա,—

Աշխարհ, որ ինձ ետուր արեւ:                              Աշխարհ, որ ինձ ետուր արեւ:  

 

3. Հասակ  մը²     կայ մեր կենաց մէջ,                  Յորժամ քնարն իմ ցրտանայ՝

Ուր ամենայն իղձ կ’աւարտի.                               Սիրոյն տալով վերջին բարեւ,— 

Հասակ մը, ուր հոգին ի տենչ `                             Երթամ ննջել յիմ Կիլիկիա³,

Յիշատակաց իւր կարօտի.                                    Աշխարհ, որ ինձ ետուր արեւ:      

armenag@gmail.com                                                                Արմենակ Եղիայեան

1. Մայրիները          2. Տարիք մը     3. Կիլիկիոյ մէջ (ներգոյական հոլով)