Glen's World Travels 2006 travel blog

John ,my roomate from Penn & I having dinner yerevan cafe

concert in the park

wishing tree..people tie a cloth ,make a wish, pagan custom

scee of mt Ararat..where Noahs ark landed..mt is in Turkey

organic food in Armenia

Gegard Monastery..outside Yerevan

scene through ancient gorge

Zvartnots Cath..650 AD where St Gregory lived

Zvartnot's

tomb stones of very old religious monks 6th -9th c.

Knor Virab Monastery..Armenia

caravan serai..where silk road traders from China could sleep on their journey

inside the caravan serai..had places for animals, etc

Dilijan Mts in Armenia..beutiful

sunset over Lake Sevan..world's highest frest water lake 9000 ft

Haghartsin Monastery Armenia

glen being crazy

Dilijan Armenia..high in the Mts..old Soviet apt blocks

very rare cross stone with depiction of Christ..most are just crosses

cross arches replaced pillars..technology spread to Europe


During the group tour we attended a sunday service at the Cathedral of the Catholicos ( the equivalent rank of the Cath. pope). It's interesting that the oldest christian nation visited by the apostles Bartholemew and Thadeus ( according to legends) and and by St Gregory in the third c. yet they still do not accept the dual nature of Christ ( true God and true man). Because of this crucifixes are always without any figure of Christ. Priests may marry but if they do they not advance in rank.

Armenia is the origen coutry of Apricots and wheat and have the best walnuts they claim.

They are celebrating their 15th year of Independence since the collapse of the Soviet Union and we were lucky to be here just now as there are all kinds of converts, street fairs, and parades going on.

In 1991 when the Soviets pulled out many Soviet factories which were numerous and employed a lot of Armenians suddenly closed causing a disaster of unemployment and poverty . Many left Armenia for other jobs abroads. So nearly 3 million Dispora Armenians live in other counrtries ( like 1 million in US) and send back to family some money. Otherwise many would not survive. They eventually be admitted to the EU once they solve some of their economic problems and a decision is made as to whether they are in Europe or part of Asia.

About the monasteries. Usually they have several buildings: the main church,a masoleum to busy nobles and monks,a gavit ( a meeting place a room just before entering the main part of the church), a seminary where young monks learn, a scriptorium where manuscripts are written and translated. The oldest group were the inventors of the circular stress arches now used in most European medieval churches instead of giant columns in the middle of the church to support the roof. Crosses were simple symbols with no figure of Christ present. There was one (see photo ) that was very rare and the influence of foreign architechs. Many has frescoes that are now faded and lost.(see photos) made with paint extracted from the shell of walnuts and sea buck thorn berries.

After a week in Armenia we proceeded to cross the border into Georgia. See you next in ancient Georgia. Glen

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