HistoryFamily HistoriesSpecial Reports
Becoming an Armenian Citizen
On August 14, 2019, I swore an oath to become a citizen of the Republic of Armenia. It was a decision that felt so natural to me, but many of my friends and family wondered why. I’ve always felt compelled to give a knee-jerk reaction by replying “why not?”, but I knew that their remarks were not just some accidental occurrence and that they were genuinely curious. Indeed, other than having some visa-free access to some obscure countries, there seemed to be little tangible benefits for my citizenship. But deep down, it was much more than that. I never felt I should bother explaining why I did what I did. Until now.
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Wow, lots of food for thought in this well written piece.
I’m especially haunted/challenged by the last paragraph.
Thank you!
How how did you do this. I want to go home. Formerly ‘Kirisyan’….I need to know so much.
Very well written. My grandfather escaped the Genocide with his 4 brothers. He lost his first wife, 2 daughters, his parents, all of his sisters. He is one of my Heroes!!
Wonderful. A photo I’ve never seen.
Ohnigian
Love this article especially the history of the authors family that remained in Sivas until 1960. Very little is ever written about those folks. As my grandmother and grandfather on my fathers side we’re both from Sivas and survived the Genocide I was brought up with many stories of the old country. One point of correction the photo of the Surp Nishan Vank is actually The Mother Church in the Armenian quarter of Sivas. The Vank itself was about 10 or 15 miles out Town. This photo is an image I have seen many times and is documented the history of Sivas a book published by the now defunct Pan Sepastia Union.
All the best,
Robert Ohnigian
Thank you, Mr. Ohnigian for kindly pointing that out. We have corrected the error.
What a wonderful writing. Thank you. We shouldn’t loose our hope for better Armenia, free from invaders.
I was born in Tehran.Was 2 when my family moved to Armenia.Lived in Armenia for 25 years.We have family tree which is starting 1604(more than 400 years).
Reading your family story made me feel more Armenian if that’s the way to say.
Thank you very much.God bless , , ,
Thank you for this window into my own tentative process toward Armenian citizenship. You writing is potent, beautiful, and compelling. I will be processing this for a while. Be well.
Great insight, very well written!!
Hope many will follow in your steps.