Merry Christmas

During the past year, I did not do any justice to this blog nor to my desire to indulge in Armeniana projects such as learning to write in my mother tongue all over again, this time in a somewhat professional level, being involved in community work, or reading Armenian literature. The past year brought many challenges and changes in my life and it saddens me that I postponed my dreams, but I look forward to welcoming this fledgling year, the year of my 30th birthday, with open arms and aspire to make this year full of promise and wonder.

April 24, 1915

My calendar tells me that today is April 24, 2007

The day is still young, but I am not hopeful that the first genocide of the 20th century will be recognized anytime soon.

Another year goes by where the spill of my ancestors’ blood, the beheadings, the raping of little girls and women and the way very pregnant women had their beautiful bellies slashed is ignored amidst Turkish intimidation and prevailing oil and other business interests.

What will I tell my children about the stain that this vehement propaganda has had upon our culture, history, and collective consciousness?

What will I tell my weary soul?

Christmas, Armenian style

Apostolic Armenians, such as yours truly, (i.e. Orthodox) celebrate the birth and baptism of Christ on the 6th of January. Therefore, I wish a most heartfelt Merry Christmas to those so inclined.

There are websites that explain the origins of the “Armenian Christmas”, not to mention that of the Church (the Armenian Catholic and Protestant Church(es), while a minority, are nonetheless well and thriving) and postulate its various traditions. I offer the following resources to satiate your curiousity: for a concise explanation or the poignant explanation that the Armenian Church provides.