Armenia, day 1

Taking in Lake Sevan.

Armenia (just south of Georgia and comparable in size to our former home state of Maryland) takes great pride in being the First Christian Nation. Early in the 4th Century (the traditional date is 301 AD, predating even Rome) Armenia became the first to accept Christianity on a national level.

I was introduced to Armenia in 1999 when I studied abroad in Jerusalem--in the Old City there is a Jewish quarter, a Muslim quarter, a Christian quarter, and an Armenian quarter. The unique Armenian Apostolic Church and deeply religious cultural history were immediately fascinating and meaningful to me. I went on to marry a man who had spent 9 months of his LDS mission in Armenia, so together we had a special bond with Armenia. It was almost ironic, then, that we landed just next door in a country that treats Armenians with disdain...

In any case, after a year and a half in nearby Georgia, we approached our trip to Armenia with great anticipation.

On the first day we visited Sevanavank, a monastery which originated in the 9th Century and was built on an island in Lake Sevan. Under Stalin, the lake was artificially drained for irrigation and hydroelectricity, which significantly lowered the water level. This transformed the island into what is now a peninsula and, although perhaps less scenic than it once was, it is now much more accessible.

The church of Surp Arakelots ("Holy Apostles") and, less visible to the right, Surp Astvatsatsin ("Holy Mother of God")

Khachkars--Armenian Cross Stones--characteristic of medieval Christian Armenian art.

Lit candles in the churches are the worshipper's expression of Godly adoration.

The girls relished the injunction to cover their heads with scarves inside the chapels, and the little guy relished the rocks.

The hillside was covered with exotic blooms,

and full of possibility.

Much of the stone at the monastery is igneous rock from magma deposited centuries earlier by now dormant volcanoes.

It was a grey windy day, which contributed to the dramatic scenery, as a massive storm blew in. The flora on this 'island' was beautifully unique, it was almost like being on the surface of another planet. It lent an other-worldly, mysterious, and sacred feeling that satisfied it's ancient reputation.