The Unique History of the Armenians
Armenians, an ancient people still living on a small part of their ancestral land, call Armenia “Hayastan,” and themselves “Hai.” Oral history explains the lineage of the Armenian people as being the direct descendants of Noah’s son Japheth. Indigenous to the land of Ararat, Armenians have marked their national identity with the rise of powerful Armenian kingdoms, the adoption of Christianity as Armenia’s state religion, and the creation of the Armenian alphabet, which spurred the development of literature, philosophy, and science.
The Armenian nation was a contemporary of historical nations that existed millennia before Christ, and which no longer exist in modern times. Present day research has established that Armenians are descendants of the Urartians, and were occupying the plain of Ararat since at least the second millennium B.C. The Urartians had attained a high level of civilization with cuneiform writing, agriculture, horticulture and the use of highly developed techniques of irrigation and construction of fortified cities.
The Armenian nation entered upon the arena of history some 600 years B.C. Present day research has established that the Armenians are descendants of the Urartians, and were occupying the plain of Ararat since at least the second millennium. The Urartians had attained a high level of civilization which determined the cultural future of ancient Armenia. Cuneiform writing, agriculture, animal husbandry, horticulture and metallurgy were all part of the Urartian civilization. The Urartians used highly developed techniques of irrigation and construction of fortified cities. In fact, one of the Urartian canals is still in operation today in the city of Van (now Turkey). The fall of the Urartian kingdom allowed the stronger, more powerful people of that region, the Hays, to give rise to their nation - Armenia.
Architecture scholars believe that Armenian churches were the prototype of the Gothic style. According to them, the 4th century Armenian churches were the first to introduce the square building with a single dome and niches which served as houses of worship. Among the oldest Armenians churches are the Cathedral of Etchmiadzin (4th century), the Avan church (6th century), St. Hripsime church (7th century), and the Cathedral of Ani (10th century).
While the Armenian state withstood foreign invasions and domination over the centuries, the population continued to inhabit the highlands in Asia Minor, centered around Mount Ararat, the national symbol of Armenia and the resting place of Noah’s Ark. This continual presence came to an abrupt halt with the first genocide of the twentieth century perpetrated against the Armenian citizenry beginning in 1915. As a result, survivors took refuge in other countries, including the United States. The St. Sarkis community has joined the world in commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Genocide.
Armenians, an ancient people still living on a small part of their ancestral land, call Armenia “Hayastan,” and themselves “Hai.” Oral history explains the lineage of the Armenian people as being the direct descendants of Noah’s son Japheth. Indigenous to the land of Ararat, Armenians have marked their national identity with the rise of powerful Armenian kingdoms, the adoption of Christianity as Armenia’s state religion, and the creation of the Armenian alphabet, which spurred the development of literature, philosophy, and science.
The Armenian nation was a contemporary of historical nations that existed millennia before Christ, and which no longer exist in modern times. Present day research has established that Armenians are descendants of the Urartians, and were occupying the plain of Ararat since at least the second millennium B.C. The Urartians had attained a high level of civilization with cuneiform writing, agriculture, horticulture and the use of highly developed techniques of irrigation and construction of fortified cities.
The Armenian nation entered upon the arena of history some 600 years B.C. Present day research has established that the Armenians are descendants of the Urartians, and were occupying the plain of Ararat since at least the second millennium. The Urartians had attained a high level of civilization which determined the cultural future of ancient Armenia. Cuneiform writing, agriculture, animal husbandry, horticulture and metallurgy were all part of the Urartian civilization. The Urartians used highly developed techniques of irrigation and construction of fortified cities. In fact, one of the Urartian canals is still in operation today in the city of Van (now Turkey). The fall of the Urartian kingdom allowed the stronger, more powerful people of that region, the Hays, to give rise to their nation - Armenia.
Architecture scholars believe that Armenian churches were the prototype of the Gothic style. According to them, the 4th century Armenian churches were the first to introduce the square building with a single dome and niches which served as houses of worship. Among the oldest Armenians churches are the Cathedral of Etchmiadzin (4th century), the Avan church (6th century), St. Hripsime church (7th century), and the Cathedral of Ani (10th century).
While the Armenian state withstood foreign invasions and domination over the centuries, the population continued to inhabit the highlands in Asia Minor, centered around Mount Ararat, the national symbol of Armenia and the resting place of Noah’s Ark. This continual presence came to an abrupt halt with the first genocide of the twentieth century perpetrated against the Armenian citizenry beginning in 1915. As a result, survivors took refuge in other countries, including the United States. The St. Sarkis community has joined the world in commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Genocide.