The Armenian Church

I read today that Catholicos Aram's book on the Armenian Church has been translated, apparently in Croatian. I attached my review of the book, I had posted a few years ago. Vaհe H Apelian

Announcement for the translation of Catholicos Aram's book
"The Armenian Church"

In a superb narration Aram I presents to his readers, in his book titled “The Armenian Church”,  “The Christianization of Armenia and the Armenianization of the Christianity” because “The Armenian Church is the birthplace of Armenian culture and since the beginning of the 5^thCentury it has been its epicenter, not only creating the wonder of the Armenian Alphabet, but also playing a pivotal part in promoting, enriching, and protecting all manifestations of Armenian culture.’

Aram I, early on in the book, presents the different names by which the Armenian Church is known: Church of Armenia, Holy, Apostolic, Catholic, Orthodox Armenian Church; Armenian Gregorian Church, Armenian Apostolic Church, Armenian Church or Church of Armenia. He then explains why he chose “Armenian Church” as the title of his book, when it was known as Church of Armenia during its early founding years. The one time church confined in Armenia now extends its jurisdiction from America to Australia and in all continents of the world in between where Armenians have now scattered.

Along with the customary Preface and Introduction of a book, Aram I presents the Armenian Church in 10 chapters in each of which he presents the essence of the inferred topic in a clear, easily understood, and captivating manner even though it may entail theological discussion as to why the Armenian Church rejected the Council of Chalcedon while it upheld the teachings of the first three ecumenical councils and explains the Armenian Church’s understanding of the Trinity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

To give a breath and the scope of this superbly narrated book that encompasses all aspects of the church for the interested lay reader, I will have to enumerate the chapters and the topics under each chapter Aram I presents in a simplified manner. Only those who have full command and grasp, resort to such simplified and pleasant narration to transmit their knowledge in a simple manner to the interested not to bore them but retain their attention and help them understand the working of the Armenian Church.

The chapters and their subtitles are as follows:

LONG HISTORY IN BRIEF(pages 21-53), comprises:

The major periods of the history of the Armenian church,  The Origin of the Armenian Church, Christianity as the state religion,  The Golden Age,  The Rejection of the Council of Chalcedon, The Arabs in Armenia,  The Formation of Armenian Cilicia,  A Period of uncertainty and stagnation,  The Armenian Genocide,  Soviet Armenia and the Armenian Diaspora,  New hopes and promises.

HIERARCHY AND DECISION-MAKING (pages 54-76), comprises:

Hierarchy,  Catholicos,  Patriarch, Archbishop,  Bishop,  Vartabed and Supreme Vartabed,  Celibate Priest,  Married Priest,  Deacon,  Decision-Making Structures,  Hierarchical Sees, Two Catholicosates within One Church.

ESSENTIALS OF FAITH (pages 76-95) comprises:

The Bible, Ecumenical Councils, Local Councils, Liturgy, Exegetical Literature, Hagiographic Writings, Treatises and Homilies, Encyclical, pastoral letters, exchange of letters, and Confessions of Faith; Historiography.

RICH SPIRITUALITY (pages 96-140) comprises:

Liturgy, Daily Services,  Feasts,  Liturgical Books,  Sacraments,  Baptism, Confirmation,  Repentance,  Holy Lucharist,  Holy Orders,  Marriage,  Anointing of the Sick,  The Holy Muron,  Images,  Cross-Stone, Music, Liturgical Vestments, Liturgical Vessels,  Relics of Saints, Architecture, Armenian Calendar.

CULTURAL ACTIVITY (pages 141-156) comprises:

The Translation of the Bible and Church Fathers,  Major Figures of Armenian Original Literature, Contribution to painting, printing and music.

SOCIAL ACTION (pages 157-167) comprises:

Characteristic features of the Church’s diakonia, Armenian Diaspora: the focus of the Church’s diakonia,  Social action: a continuing concern.

EDUCATIONAL ROLE (pages168-174) comprises:

The first Armenian school, Monasteries: centers of education, Community schools, Authors in Christian education.

ECUMENICAL ENGAGEMENT (pages 175-196) comprises:

Relations with the Oriental Orthodox churches, Relations with Eastern Orthodox churches,  Relations with Catholic churches,  Relations with the Anglican Communion,  Relations with Protestant churches,  Participation in ecumenical councils and bilateral theological dialogues,  Collaboration with the Armenian Catholic and Armenian Evangelical churches.

PEOPLE’S CHURCH (pages 197-205) comprises

Indigenization of Christianity,  The Church as a unifying factor,  The leadership role of the Church, Church-state relations.

CHALLENGES AND PRIORITIES (pages 206-217) comprises:

A dynamic pastoral engagement, An active spiritual ministry, Redefining of the national identity of the Church, Renewal of the Armenian Church and urgent imperative.

The rest of the book comprises Notes, Appendices, and a listing for Further Reading.

At the end Aram I lists his prodigal output in Armenian, English and in French, totaling 28 titles!

Those who have followed Aram I have come to know that the basic tenets of his ministry can be summed up paraphrasing President Abraham Lincoln’s famous quote from his Gettysburg Address, “Of the People, by the People, and for the People”. Catholicos Aram I writes that “The Armenian Church should not become a museum of spiritual heritage; nor should it remain imprisoned in a petrified institutionalism. It is called to respond, in faithfulness to the core value of the Gospel, to the expectations of its people and to the challenges of the present-day world”.

It is not hard to envision that Aram I is burdened with the administrative responsibilities of the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia whose jurisdiction extends globally. He also is a revered spiritual leader and an ecumenical figure. He has served as two terms moderator of the World Council of Churches and as two terms president of the Middle East Council of Churches. God has bestowed upon Catholicos Aram I a powerful intellect and a tireless stamina, which he has put in service towards to the Armenian People through the Armenian Church.

The book was first published in 2016 by the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia in Antelias, Lebanon. The book I read was its second edition in 2017. The book measures  5 inches x 7.5 inches making it handy to carry for reading in leisure. Each chapter is an entity in itself and thus can be prioritized per the reader’s interest. Reading the book in its entirety will give a reader a vital knowledge for his or her better appreciation of and understanding the Armenian Church that has withstood the test of time but continues to face new challenges.

Historically “accurate” movies

Vaհe H Apelian

Recently, I came across a listing of movies that are deemed to be historically “accurate”. However, the following introduction was posted: “Whenever the words "based on a true story" are at the start of a movie, it's hard not to get a little suspicious. Most Hollywood movies are going to take some dramatic liberties with historical events, whether it's to make them more interesting to watch or to make a complex chain of events more digestible.

So, stories get changed, plot points that didn't happen are added, and multiple people that a historical figure knew are compressed into one composite character. But while almost all biopics and historical movies are guilty of this to some extent, not all of them play so fast and loose with the facts. So, we're celebrating the ones that got as much right as possible. Read on to learn more about these historically accurate films.”

I have seen a few of these films. Some I had not even heard of. Here is the list. 

Gandhi (1982)

Schindler's List (1993)

United 93 (2006)

All Quiet On The Western Front (2022)

Lincoln (2012)

Apollo 13 (1995)

Master And Commander: The Far Side Of The World (2003)

Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Rush (2013)

12 Years a Slave (2013)

A Man for All Seasons (1966)

Downfall / Der Untergang (2004)

Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970)

The Last Emperor (1987)

Letters from Iwo Jima (2006)

Hotel Rwanda (2004)

The Big Short (2015)

The Witch (2015)

The Right Stuff (1983)

We Were Soldiers (2002)

Zodiac (2007)

Selma (2014)

Barry Lyndon (1975)

The Death of Stalin (2017)

Spotlight (2015)

Grave of The Fireflies (1988)

Cromwell (1970)

Glory (1989)

Black Robe (1991

Paths of Glory (1957

Gangs of New York (2002)

Das Boot (1981)

Waterloo (1970)

Come and See (1985)

A Bridge Too Far (1977)

Fury (2014)

The Battle of Algiers (1966)

The Pianist (2002)

Bridge Of Spies (2015)

The Baader-Meinhoff Complex (2008)

Link: https://www.outdoorrevival.com/more/31-historically-accurate-movies-that-got-it-right.html?utm_source=jf&utm_campaign=120245956431720503-120245956440370503-jf&utm_medium=Facebook_Desktop_Feed&utm_content=120245956475670503-jf&utm_term=-&utm_id=120245956431720503&fbclid=IwY2xjawRmubFleHRuA2FlbQEwAGFkaWQBqzMPetDNN3NydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6Lcx37R74izj1q4G7gjL8pYt3_zDEVT3Cm7BpOUkrxeAoT6rP2mAbT9nR6AA_aem_WXJSk1rUGU85C2_LOlY9-A

 

 

 

 

 

Mount Ararat and us

 Vaհe H Apeliaն

Ararat, Avedik Isahakyan, Antranig Zarougian

Ararat has been a sight to us since 1920 and remains a sight. The region of Surmalu (Mount Ararat region) was under the administration of the First Republic of Armenia in 1918. The district fell under Turkish occupation during the Turkish invasion of Armenia in 1920 and was formally ceded to Turkey by the Treaty of Moscow in March 1921, following Armenia's Sovietization. The cessation was confirmed in the Treaty of Kars, signed in October of that same year. Such has been our history and Ararat has been a sight to  us since 1920

Obviously, it would be the understatement of our history when I also note that there is no other landscape with which we, as Armenians associate ourselves more than Mount Ararat. The mountain is the principal national symbol of Armenia. It is featured prominently in Armenian literature and art and is the icon of what constitutes being an Armenian

On April 28, 2026, PM Nikol Pashinyan and Interior Minister Arpine Sargsyan presented to the public the new Armenian passport and went over each photo-illustration in the passport commenting on each and especially dwelling more on the photo-illustrated depiction of Khor Virab Monastery without Mount Ararat appearing in the background. Khor Virab monastery complex was photographed and presented in the passport at an angle that sidelined Mount Ararat. It is at the Khor Verab monastery that visitors, especially Armenian visitors, like to be photographed because of the majestic view of Mount Ararat in the background. 

Although the Prime Minister and the Interior Minister revealed during their presentation of the new passport about Khor Virab monastery depiction, but it was not news. Zartonk Media had reported it weeks earlier, on September 14, 2025. The Armenian government has its own understandable reasons to have all the photo-illustrations of the Armenian passport depict Armenian real estate only. 

But, the citizens of Armenia have codified Mount Ararat in their constitution since its inception in 1995, but with a caveat. The Constitution of Armenia established Mount Ararat as a core element of national identity, featuring it on the state Coat of Arms. Article 21 describes the emblem as a shield containing Mount Ararat with Noah's Ark, supported by an eagle and a lion. 

We have to accept that the Armenian Constitutional depiction of Mount Ararat is with Noah’s Ark on it. 

Regrettably Mount Ararat is often weaponized not by Turkey, but by the opposition, not only in Armenia but also in the Diaspora by going as far as accusing PM Nikol Pashinyan of wanting to remove the image of the Ararat from the Armenia’s coat-of-arms, when it should have be well understood that only the citizens of Armenia can bring a change in the constitution and not a sitting government. 

The reason the Mount Ararat depiction was removed from Armenia’s entry and exit stamp could very well be ascribed for not being a constitutionally mandated depiction. It is surprising to hear that learned individuals allege that the Nikol Pashinyan government rather have the people not view Mount Ararat. Of course, that is not so. Those interested in Armenia will continue to look at Mount Ararat and will be continued to be inspired by it as Antranig Zarougian and Avedik Isahakyan were.

Antranig Zarougian wrote his poem vow to Mount Ararat in 1935, in Aleppo, when he was 22 years old. (see the link)

Avedis Isahakyan wrote his famous poem about Ararat in 1920’s when he lived in Italy, noting that, “To the old dome of Ararat, centuries have come like a second, and passed away. Countless flashing swords have been dulled by the diamond hard mountain, and left. Generations at its brink, have gazed the light on its summit, and moved on. It's your turn now, for a moment look at its furrowed forehead, and move on.” Avediak Isahakyan moved to Soviet Armenia in 1936 and settled there as an esteemed poet. 

Avedik Isahakyan and Antranig Zarougian wrote their timeless poems when Ararat was no more in Armenia.  Was their vision for Mount Ararat be in Armenia? It could be. But it could very well be argued that their vision was for creating at Ararat’s slope an exemplary, a pristine society if you will. Antranig Zarouigian titled the book he wrote in 1958, "Old Dreams, New Paths" (Հին երազներ, նոր ճամբաներ), and "New Armenia, New Armenians" (Նոր Հայաստան, նոր հայեր) in 1983. Their vision may very well have been for a sovereign Armenia that lives in peace with its neighbors and with itself and within itself, and resolves its historical wrongs not by war and aggression, but by negotiation and peaceful state relations. 

Is it naïve to think that way? But I never expected to see in my lifetime, the Armenian Tricolor flag raised at the U.N. on March 2, 1992, nor Armenia hosting a European summit today, on May, 2026.

So, I rather stick with that notion. 

Link: Vow to Mount Ararat - https://vhapelian.blogspot.com/2017/07/vow-to-mount-ararat.html 

Political parties aplenty in Armenia

Vaհe H Apelian

The official pre-election campaign for the June 7, 2026, parliamentary elections in Armenia begins on May 8, 2026, 30 days prior to election day, and concludes at midnight on June 6. While the regulated campaign starts then, active campaigning and voter outreach have been ongoing since before that date, as permitted by the Armenian Central Electoral Commission. Nineteen parties have been registered to take part in the upcoming election. The list of the parties vying for power is listed below.

 The principal parties vying for power are already known. The question whether the rest of the parties, some with comical names, are vying for power or they are there to disrupt the election process, is anyone’s guess. 

Haygaganeh badvagan eh – The Armenian is venerable – is a phrase I have not heard a long while. It was said more in amusement that veneration. That phrase came to my mind as I translated this long list of parties taking part in the upcoming election.

 

 

Parties participating in the June 7, 2026  Election in Armenia
1. "Reformists" Party	1. «Ռեֆորմիստներ» կուսակցություն
2. "I am against everyone" Party	2.  «Բոլորին դեմ եմ» կուսակցություն
3. "Strong Armenia" Alliance	3 . «Ուժեղ Հայաստան» դաշինք
4. "Meritocracy" Party	4. «Շնորհապետական» կուսակցություն
5. "New Force" Party	5. «Նոր ուժ» կուսակցություն
6. "Wings of Unity" Party	6. «Միասնության թևեր» կուսակցություն
7. "Prosperous Armenia" Party	7. «Բարգավաճ Հայաստան» կուսակցություն
8. "National Democratic Pole" Party	8. «Ազգային ժողովրդավարական բևեռ» կուսակցություն
9. "Kocharian National Revival and Awakening of the Nation" Party	9. «Քոչարի ազգային վերածնունդ և ազգի զարթոնք» կուսակցություն
10. "Armenian National Congress" Party	10. «Հայ ազգային կոնգրես» կուսակցություն
11. "Republic" Party	11. «Հանրապետություն» կուսակցություն
12. "Christian Democratic" Party	12. «Քրիստոնեա-ժողովրդավարական» կուսակցություն
13. "Alliance" Party	13. «Դաշինք» կուսակցություն
14. "Democracy, Law, Discipline" Party	14.  «Դեմոկրատիա, օրենք, կարգապահություն» կուսակցություն
15. "Democratic Solidarity" Party	15.  «Ժողովրդավարական համախմբում» կուսակցություն
16. "Civil Contract" Party	16. «Քաղաքացիական պայմանագիր» կուսակցություն
17. "Armenia" Alliance՚	17. «Հայաստան» դաշինք
18. "For the Republic" Party	18. «Հանուն Հանրապետության» կուսակցություն
19. "Bright Armenia" Party	19. «Լուսավոր Հայաստան» կուսակցություն

 

 

The young woman behind the new Armenian passport

Vaհe H Apelian

PM Nikol Pashinyan and Interior Minister Arpine Sargsyan presenting the new passport

On April 28, 2026, PM Nikol Pashinyan and Interior Minister Arpine Sargsyan presented to the public the new Armenian biometric passport. Apparently, the government official who had a significant input in the implementation of the new Armenian biometric passport is Interior Minister Arpine Sargsyan..

I was under the impression that the passport fell under the jurisdiction of the foreign ministry. But apparently, it is under the jurisdiction of Interior Minister Arpine Sargsyan. That may be because the new Armenian passport is not a mere անՑագիր, a document to cross Armenia’s boarder. The passport is also an անՁագիր, a document for personal identification.

 The term biometric passport was a new term for me. Obviously, the term is a compound word, consisting of bio (living) and metric (measure). It would not surprise me that sooner than later, features such as voice, eyes, along with fingertips, will part of biometric identification with the standard measures of height, weight, eye and hair color and of course other birth related statistics. 

The citizens of Armenia will be required to have biometric identifications starting the end of the year. I am not sure if the requirement is in addition to the biometric passport, or the latter may fulfill the requirement of the law with no other identification card required. 

The Government of the Republic of Armenia site, presents a detailed biography of the members of the government. There, it is noted that Arpine Sargsyan is born on April 1, 1994, in Verdi city in Armenia.  That makes her a member of the independence generation, those born after September 21, 1991, 36 years ago, when Armenia declared itself free and independent.

Interior Minister Arpine Sargsyan holds a Bachelor and Master of Law degrees, from the Yerevan State University, where she also is continuing her PHD education. She was appointed the Minister of Internal Affair on November 20, 2024. She is non-partisan and has no party affiliation and is married. 

It was pleasure for me to hear her presenting the new passport with the PM.  Some of the new features of the new passport are there by law to comply with international standard. But the artistry in the passport, in way of choosing historical and cultural milestones, surely was a discretionary decision. It is natural to surmise that the interior minister had a significant input.  In the almost an hour long presentation of the new passport, she came across knowledgeable of our history and appreciative of the nuances for presenting the Armenian passport visually focused only on its territory. Much thought had gone into presenting Khor Virab viewed in a way that depicted Armenia. After all it is the Republic of Armenia passport. 

Most of these depictions that are presented as illustrated photographs are based on actual photographs. Understandably artistry has played a role in the presentation of some of the photo-illustrations, such as conceptualization of the Erepuni Fortress, the baking of Lavash bread and the pastural scene with some toiling on feudal fields delineated by the border markers of King Ardashes.

The following is also noteworthy. Some of the historical presentations were purposely chosen to depict sites that are not commonly seen and even known, to stir the imagination of the passport holder and to promote sites that are well beyond the regular touristic sitings. 

Behind these careful considerations also stood the young Minister of Interior Arpine Sargsyan, inspiring hope the upcoming generation will carve, in that dangerous part of the world, a prosperous Armenia  in peace with its neighbors and with itself. 

The following are the photo-illustrations in the passport, that follow the listing of the Armenian Alphabet as devised by Saint Mesrob Mashdots.

(see https://vhapelian.blogspot.com/2026/04/armenias-passport-walk-in-armenia-ident.html).

 

Armenia’s passport: Fortresses, and border marking for a walk in Armenian identification -2-

  Vaհe H Apelian

Detailed in the text

On April 28, 2026, the PM Nikol Pashinyan and the Interior Minister Arpine Sargsyan presented to the public the new Armenian passport, page by page. Surely, a lot of work has gone into the conceptualization of the passport design. I was under the impression that the passport fell under the jurisdiction of the foreign minister. Apparently, it is the young Interior Minister Arpine who has a significant input in design of the passport, some of which are by law, but some of it is the artistry, in way of imparting Armenian character to the passport by choosing the cultural and historical milestones presented in the passport as illustrated photographs.

“The Government of the Republic of Armenia” site, presents a detailed biography of the members of the government. It is noted that Arpine Sargsyan is born on April 1, 1994, in Verdi city in Armenia. She holds a Bachelor and Masterof Law degrees, from the Yerevan State University, where she also is continuing her PHD education. She was appointed the Minister of Internal Affair on November 20, 2024. She is non-partisan and has no party affiliation and is married. It was pleasure for me to hear comment on the passport, along with the PM. What is noteworthy was the following. Some of the historical presentations were purposely chosen to depict sites that are not commonly seen and even known, to stir the imagination of the passport holder and to promote sites that are well beyond the regular touristic sitings. The other consideration has been to have these illustrations focus on Armenia for the obvious reason that is the Armenian passport.

According to records I jotted down, hearing their presentation, the new passport has 20 photographic illustrations, which are artistic presentations of actual photographs or are basic on actual photographs with artistic rendering. The first illustration is the Armenian Alphabet. Four fortresses and a historical border marking are included among these illustrations. They are the following as they appear in the passport. I have jotted a few words about each one of them I gathered from the Internet.

Erepuni Fortress

Erebuni Fortress (Armenian: Էրեբունի ամրոց) is an Urartian fortified city, located on the Arin Berd hill in modern-day Yerevan, Armenia. Often cited as the "birth certificate" of Yerevan. This 8th-century BC military stronghold served as a major political and administrative center, featuring palaces, temples, and vivid frescoes. In the autumn of 1950, an archaeological expedition led by Konstantine Hovhannisyan discovered an inscription at Arin Berd dedicated to the city's founding, which is depicted in the photographic illustration.

Erepuni Fortress conceptualized with inscription

Historical border marking

The historical border markings are limestone markers by King Artashes I (c. 189–160 BC). They are rectangular shaped boundary stones, often shaped as three-pronged spears, featuring Aramaic inscriptions to define territories of feudal lords in ancient Armenia. Over a dozen found in the Lake Sevan region, they signify the unification of Armenian lands, land reform, and Artashes' legitimacy as the monarch.

Three prongs boarder marking depicting toiling on feudal lands.

Lake Sevan Fortress

The fortress at lake Sevan is Berdkunk Fortress, known as “The Ishkhanats Berd.” It a historic castle in Berdkunk village, standing at an elevation of 1920 meters, dating back over two millennia. Historically, Berdkunk Fortress played a vital role in guarding the southern approach to Lake Sevan serving as a key component of the region’s defense system. The photographic illustrations also show small recreational boats.

Fortress at Lake Sevan with recreational boats on the lake.

Lori Fortress

Lori Fortress (Armenian: Լոռի բերդ), is an 11th-century Armenian fortress located near the Lori Berd village in Lori Province, Armenia. As of 2024 there are restoration works going on to preserve the fortress. It is estimated to be finished after the several years. There were once approximately 10.000 inhabitants living in the fortress Fortress walls. Two bath houses and a civic building which once served as a church are planned to be restored.

Lori Fortress with the triocolor Armenian flag at boarder

Syunik Fortress

The Fortress of Gaban (Kapan) in the Syuni province featured as one of the illustrative images inside the Armenian passport, is Baghaberd (also known as the Fortress of Davit Bek). it is a 4th–12th century Armenian fortress located near Kapan in the Syunik Province. This formerly impregnable stronghold served as the capital of the Kingdom of Syunik. Access to it is reporte dto be challenging and requires a steep hike. It is often described as a "hidden gem". It is reported that there are other historical sites such as Vahanavank Monastery, 6 km away; Halidzor Fortress: 9 km away. 

Gaban Fortress in the Syunik region