Servant of a Personal God

Elisha the Prophet (the saint remembered by the Armenian Church today, July 9) was a wonderworker whose miracles anticipated those of Christ. Indeed, Jesus explicitly referred to these miracles during his own ministry. The Old Testament prophet became greatly honored in the Christian tradition, and especially among the Armenians, for whom the name “Yeghishe” is strongly associated with saintly figures—from ancient times down to the present day.
 
Elisha became a prophet in the aftermath of the dark days under the wicked king Ahab and his wife Jezebel. Indeed, his story is one of restoration, wherein the Man of God must minister to a nation scarred by war and the abuse of political power, helping the people to reassert a wholesome relationship with each other and with their heavenly Lord.
 
But what is most striking about Elisha’s story is the “personal” nature of his ministry. As depicted in the bible, the people Elisha met in his travels were vivid characters in their own right, with names, professions, and even “voices” that echo down through the ages.
 
Click here to learn more about Elisha and the rare, personal quality of his service to God.

From Beneath the Waves

“On a low, rocky promontory at the edge of Lake Van, a powerful four-sided fortress stands. Each stone in the edifice is the size of an elephant—big enough to support a team of horses. The castle door alone is immense.”
 
Those words, written by a 17th-century traveler, describe the ancient fortress city of Arjesh in Van, the historic Armenian heartland. Arjesh was an Armenian stronghold on the northern part of Lake Van (in fact, the lake was at various times called Arjeshi dzove: the Sea of Arjesh).
 
Within two centuries of that eyewitness account, however, the entire city had disappeared from view. The waters of Lake Van had risen gradually beginning in the middle ages, and by the 1840s the entire city was submerged. In the subsequent 17 decades, the spires of the fortress could only be glimpsed on rare occasions, when the lake waters were agitated by severe storms.
 
But lately, a regional drought has caused those waters to recede to historically low levels, and the once-sunken city has re-emerged into the light of day. Among the structures newly revealed is the monumental Armenian Church of Arjesh, pictured above. Even in its ruined condition, the lines of a Christian edifice in the classical Armenian style are clearly discernable; the stones used in its construction, while not quite elephantine, are impressive in their scale.
 
Of course, local conditions being what they are, a precious opportunity for archaeological study is being marred by fears of vandalism and looting. The Istanbul Armenian newspaper Agos quoted a Kurdish historian and an Armenian parliamentarian to that effect when it reported on the church’s emergence from beneath the waters last month. Both are calling for official measures to be taken, to protect this treasure from the past.
 
Lake Van is home to many such treasures of our heritage. Above the surface of the lake is the Island of Aghtamar, site of the magnificent Cathedral of the Holy Cross, one of the wonders of classical Armenian architecture. Reaching even further into the depths of Armenian antiquity, explorers have discovered an Atlantis-like fortress at the bottom of Lake Van, which has been identified as a relic of the Kingdom of Urartu from some 3,000 years ago.

Virtual Camp Registration—Now Live!

In this unusual summer season, the Eastern Diocese will implement a joint “virtual” program for Hye Camp and St. Vartan Camp that includes learning and fellowship opportunities to reach all ages. The online offerings will replace the Diocese’s traditional camp season, regrettably cancelled in the wake of health concerns from the pandemic.
 
The Virtual Camp week will run from Sunday, July 26 to Saturday, August 1. There is no cost to register for this program. Click on the following links to view a flyer for Virtual Camp, as well as a sample schedule of activities.
 
Even though campers, CITs, and Staff will not be able to gather at their beloved Ararat Center or Camp Hickory for camp this summer, the virtual program will offer daily opportunities for youth to gather, pray, learn, and have fun.
 
To register, click here—and please fill out one registration form per participant.

For details, and to ask questions regarding Virtual Camp, contact Jennifer Morris and Kathryn Ashbahian at diocesanyouthministries@gmail.com.

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Mission of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church

The Mission of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church is to preach the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ and to proclaim its message of Salvation. This mission is realized through worship, education, witness, service, and a common life in Jesus Christ as expressed in the distinctive faith – experience of the Armenian people. All members of the Armenian Church (both clergy and lay) are called to participate fully in its mission.