In May 2010, Edward and Mary Ann Kazanjian of Belmont, Mass., traveled to Historic Armenia in the interior of Turkey. A second trip for the Kazanjians, this was a 2,000-mile journey through more than 50 cities and villages from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean.
The pilgrimage included Amasya, Marsovan, Samson, Ordu, Shabin Karahisar, Erzincan, Ucpinar, Pertek, Kharpert, Kuyulu, Yeghike, Malatya, Marash, Aintab, Berejik, Jibin, Hromgla, Kilis, Antioch, Musa Dagh, Belen, Iskenderum, Tarsus, Lampron, and Adana. Among the highlights of the journey was a climb to the Monastery of Abarank near Ucpinar, where they saw 16-foot high khatchkars and a visit to Hromgla, the fortress where Catholicos Nerses Shnorhali (Nerses the Graceful) wrote many of his liturgical pieces.
On Thurs., Sept. 20, at the Andover Public Library Memorial Hall, the Kazanjians will present “Journey to Historic Armenia, Part II,” consisting of 500 annotated slides with embedded videos, musical excerpts, and narration of their trip. Sponsored by the Friends of the Andover Memorial Hall Library and the Knights of Vartan Arakadz Lodge, the program will be held from 6:30-9 p.m., sharp.
The event is free and open to the public; seating is limited. For more information, contact John Jeknavorian by calling (978) 557-1065 or e-mailing jjeknav@yaoo.com; or visit http://www.mhl.org/about/events/hall/2012/Armenia.htm.
At least the Kazanjians no longer name their presentation “There really is something there,” which was a terribly demeaning title.
This sounds like another one of Armen Aroyan’s guided tours.
Hromgla is also noted for the painting of Illuminated Manuscripts. Many lectures could be done on nothing but these Illuminations. The colophons themselves reveal the terrible duress of the times. (see Sanjian – Harvard Press) What unwavering faith these monks had to continue this demanding work in spite of the daily dangers and depravations. These priceless symbols of faith, absolutely unprecedented in concept, and without parallel in beauty, were created as everlasting gifts to the world. They were an indication of Armenian creative and artistic skill. Most of all, the power of these works spoke of a faith that binds a people firmly together. The Turks knew this when they butchered the monks and destroyed their work. Please recall the memory of these courageous, creative monks in your talk about Hromgla.