FAQ Categories:

Geography
Religion
Arts & Culture
History

Frequently Asked Questions

Geography

On what mountain did Noah's Ark come to rest?
Noah's Ark came to rest on Mount Ararat.

How many summits does Mount Ararat have and what are their names?
Mount Ararat has two summits. Pokur Massis (Lesser Massis) and Medz Massis (Greater Massis.)

What is the capital city of Modern Armenia?
The capital city of Modern Armenia is Yerevan.

Can we see Mount Ararat from Yerevan?
Yes, we can.

How old is the city of Yerevan compared to Babylon and Rome?
Yerevan is as old as Babylon, and is fifty years older than Rome. In 1968, the city of Yerevan marked its 2750th Anniversary.

Name the borders of Armenia.
The borders of Armenia are Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Iran and Nahkhichevan.

Name 5 major Armenian Cities.
Yerevan, Etchmiadzin, Leninakan, Apovian and Dilijan.

Name 5 major products that come from Armenia today.
Cognac, cotton, silk, metal, crystal.

Name and describe the famous stone that is internationally known and used for buildings, and found only in Armenia.
The famous stone used for buildings in Armenia is "Tufa," a porous rock of volcanic origin, lighter and more durable than brick. Tufa comes in more than 40 shades.

Religion

Name the apostles that brought Christianity into Armenia.
The apostles who brought Christianity into Armenia were Thaddeus and Bartholomew.

What do we call Thaddeus and Bartholomew?
Thaddeus and Bartholomew are called the first illuminators.

When did Armenia adopt Christianity as her state religion and who was the King?
In 301 AD, Armenia adopted Christianity as her state religion and Durtad was the King.

Was Armenia the first nation to adopt Christianity as her state religion?
Yes, Armenia was the first nation to adopt Christianity as its state religion.

Who was the first Catholicos of the Armenians?
St. Gregory the Illuminator was the first Catholicos of the Armenians.

What is the name of the first Armenian Church built in Armenia?
Holy Etchmiadzin is the name of the first Armenian Church built in Armenia

Why did St. Gregory build the church?
St. Gregory had a vision of Christ descending to that spot upon which the first Armenian Church was built.

What year was the Cathedral of Etchmiadzin built?
The cathedral of Etchmiadzin was built in 303 A.D.

What does "Etchmiadzin" mean?
The meaning of "Etchmiadzin" is "The descent of the only begotten Son."

Does the Cathedral of Etchmiadzin still exist and what is its significance to Armenians?
Yes, the Cathedral of Etchmiadzin still exists in Armenia, and it is the religious and spiritual center for all Armenians.

When do we celebrate Armenian Christmas?
We celebrate Armenian Christmas on January sixth.

Name the 4 Religious orders of the Armenian Church.
Catholicos, Bishop, Priest, Deacon.

Name the 7 sacraments of the Armenian Church.
Baptism, Chrismation, Confession, Holy Communion, Marriage, Ordination, Anointing of the sick

Name the 5 feast days of the Armenian Church.
Christmas (Epiphany), Easter, Transfiguration, Assumption, Exaltation of The Holy Cross.

Name 5 Armenian Saints.
St. Krikor Loosavoreetch, St. Mesrob Mashdots, St. Vartan Mamegonyan, St. Krikor Naregatsee, St. Nersess Shunorhalee.

How do we greet a Bishop?
Asdvadz Oknagan Surpazan Hayre (God be your helper.)

How do we great a Celibate Priest?
Orhnetsek Der Hayr (Bless me, Father.)

How do we greet each other in Armenian at Christmas?
Krisdos Dzunvav yev Haydnetsav (Christ was born and made Manifest.)
Ohrnayl e Haydnetyunun Krisdosee (Blessed is the Manifestation of Christ.)

How do we greet each other in Armenian at Easter?
Krisdos Haryav e Merelots (Christ is Risen from the Dead.)
Ohrnyal e Harutyounun Krisdosee (Blessed is the Resurrection of Christ.)

How do we greet each other in Armenian at New Year's?
Shunorhavor Nor Daree yev Paree Gaghant (Happy New Year.)

How many Dioceses are there in the USA and Canada?
There arc two Dioceses in the USA. The Eastern Diocese and the Western Diocese, and one Diocese in Canada.

Name the first Cathedral of the Armenian Church in North America. When was it built and where is it located?
The name of the first Cathedral of the Armenian Church is St. Vartan Cathedral. It was built in 1968 and is located in New York City.

Arts and Culture

Who invented the Armenian Alphabet?
Mesrob Mashdots invented the Armenian Alphabet.

When was the Armenian Alphabet invented?
The Armenian Alphabet was invented in 404 AD

How many letters are there in the Armenian Alphabet?
There are 38 letters in the Armenian Alphabet.

To which group of languages does Armenian belong?
The Armenian Language belongs to the Info-European language group.

What do linguists say about the Armenian Language?
Linguists agree that the Armenian Language holds a very high place among the most accurate means of expressing human thoughts.

What was the first book translated into the Armenian Language?
The Bible was the first book that was translated into the Armenian Language in the 5th century.

What comments have non-Armenian scholars made about the Translation of the Armenian Bible?
Some non-Armenian Scholars considered the translation of the Armenian Bible a literary monument and have called it the "Queen of Translations."

In Armenian history, what was the 5th century called?
The 5th century was called "The Golden Age" of Armenia.

Name a field of art in which the Armenians excelled.
Armenians were famous for Illuminated Manuscript illustrations.

Name another field of art that influenced other countries.
Armenia's architecture influenced the architecture of other countries. Armenians are the originators of "Gothic Art."

How do we say "Cross Stone" in Armenian? What is a Cross Stone?
KhachKar is the Armenian word for Cross Stone. KhachKar is an artistic tradition to the Armenians, which is carved with inscriptions and designs. The Cross, the Christian symbol of faith, forms the central motif.

Who was the first Armenian historian?
The First Armenian Historian was Movses Khorenatsi.

When and where was the first Armenian Bible printed?
Oskan Yerevantsee printed the first Armenian Bible in 1666 in Holland.

When and where were the first 5 Armenian Books published?
Hagop Meghabard published the first 5 Armenian Books in Venice Italy in the years 1512-1513.

When and where was the first Armenian Newspaper published?
The Rev. Father Shumavon Harootyoonyan published the first Armenian Newspaper "Aztarar" in 1794 in Madras, India.

What color ink did Armenians invent?
Armenians invented red ink. They obtained it from a worm called "Vortan Garmeer" which was found in Armenia.

History

Name the last Kingdom of Armenia, and what was its duration?
The Cilician Kingdom was the last kingdom of Armenia from 1080-1375.

Who was the last King of Armenians? When did he die and where was he buried?
King Levon the 5th was the last King of Armenians. He died and was buried in Paris in 1393.

What did Armenia lose at the end of the Cilician Kingdom?
With the fall of the Cilician Kingdom, Armenia lost her Independence.

Name the countries that ruled Armenia after the fall of the Cilician Kingdom.
After the fall of the Cilician Kingdom Armenia was ruled by Persia, Russia and Turkey.

In what year did the Armenian Genocide take place?
The Armenian Genocide took place in 1915.

How many Armenians were killed and by whom, during the Genocide of 1915?
During the Genocide of 1915, 2/3 of the Armenian population was massacred (1 ½ million Armenians) by the Turks.

What do we commemorate on April 24th?
On April 24th, we commemorate Armenian Martyrs' Day.

Is there a Monument erected in the memory of the Armenian Martyrs of 1915?
Yes. There is a Monument erected in Yerevan in memory of the Armenian Martyrs of 1915 is Dzedzer-nagapert.