The Owosso times., 1919-01-10
AN entire NATION, ONCE
HAPPY, WEALTHY, WITH A
CIVILIZATION ANCIENT AS
- The PYRAMIDS, TO
Be RESTORED

Many of us Michigan citizens think
vasf the Armenians as set of people
always undergoing massacre. AS
fresh news about them appears from
fime to time, we ask ourselves won
uderingly-"Can there still be Armen-
tans left?"
The tenacity and vigor Of this by
mo means numerous race is shown in
nothing better than in this, that even
now, after the last unprecedented out
break of massacre and deportation,
9here are still nearly four million sur
'vivors scattered in Asia Minor, Per
.ssia, Syria and the Russian Caucasus.
AT least 100000 children who have
NO fathers and many of them no moth
sers are among these refugees. In
them is the hope of a new Armenia,
some day perhaps to surpass in pros
perity and world usefulness the NAr-
menia of ages long ago.
The history of Armenia is almost as
old as history itself. Armenia claims
to possess the site of the Garden Of
Eden-since even now the country is
beautiful enough for Paradise, and its
apples would tempt the l,1 It fastid-
ious Eve. 1t also claim that after
the flood the Ark came to rest on
Mount Ararat, most beautiful of snow
clad peaks.
About 1000 B. c., history speaks of
"A district Armenian people dwelling
ON the table lands near Ararat, con-
anred in turn by the Babylonians,
the Medes and Persians, the Selen-
4cidae and the Romans, with brief in
Gervals of independence. Even under
conquest, as it was understood by the
ancient orientals, the Armenians were
4ittle interfered with as long as they
paid the required tribute.
In $40 A. d. the interested figure of
Gregory, the Illuminator, comes bright
Ky into the foreground Of Armenia's
xnediaeval history, to influence perma-
1nently the future character and fate
aof her people.
Gregory was baptised when child,
married early and had two sons. Then
he was caught by the wave OF mon
sasticism that swept through Europe
In the Middle Ages, felt that he had a
vocation and bade farewell to his wife
and the world, forsook the common
ways of men and entered monastery.
His later prosecutions, years OF prison,
visions and miracles obtained for him
9he reputation of saint. He con-
werted Tiradates the King Of Armenia
and baptised 1000 Armenians.
= Armenians DevotedIy Religious.
Eight years later Christianity be-
came the state religion Of Armenia,
and to this day the mummied hand
of old ST. Gregory is laid upon the
head of every bishop at his consecra-
1tion-a remarkable instance of Ar
.menian reverence for tradition.
The golden age of independent,
aChristian Armenia soon passed. At
this day the ruins of the once great
scity of Ami, excavated in the last CEN
aury, show to the world dim reflec-
tion of by-gone splendour. Conical
roofed churches and massive walls 40
to so feet high, flanked by many round
towers and defended by deep gorges,
present remains dignified even in ruin.
Decorative stonework, sculptures and
4rescoes indicate a culture and art
development OF no mean order.
But in the seventh century arose
an the east the power which proved
Lcatal to many another nation besides
Armenia, and which still lifts its cres-
~cent threateningly against the cross
cine power of Islam. The followers of
s---