The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1921-07-07

the illumination. Gregory had been bap-
tized in his youtht by Christian relatives.
For years he was prosecuted by Tiri-
dates, the ruler. But he patiently endured
the hardships and at last had the satisfac-
ton of baptizing the ruler himself, hav
ing persuaded him to forsake the old gods.
Within eight years practically all of
Armenia was Christianized and his re-
ligion had been officially adopted by the
state.
An independent Armenia lasted for
several centuries until the Mohammedans
began to overturn the eastern world. Like
wildfre this new faith spread from Mecca
to Gibraltar. When it reached Armenia,
however, it found substance that could
not be consumed. The Armenians stood
like adamant before the host of Moham-
med, even though their country was de-
vastated and their people practically en-
shaved.
When the Turks found that they could
neither convert nor destroy the Armehians,
they accepted them as subjects, permitting
them their own worship. Since that time
they have lived under Turkish rule with
the exception of those dwelling directly
south of the Caucasus mountains who were
turned over to the tender mercies of Rus
STA about forty years ago. For long
time the Turkish rule was an easy one
and the Armenians were not unhappy
They became industrious farmers and
prosperous tradesmen, and many became
very influential in the government. 1t is
only in the last third of century that
their persecution has become severe Since
then no people, not even the Jews have
been subjected, to such relentless persecu-
tons as has this unhappy people. Some
times it has abated for time only to
break out with increased energy. In 1895
a revolution broke out which was quelled
A brutal massacre followed in which thou
sands of Armenians lost their lives. A
few years later another massacre followed
on the part of ignorant and fanatical
Moslems The prosecutions reached their
climax during the late war Never has
the world seen more furious effort to
drive out people or more cruel methods
employed in their execution
Throughout ali these prosecutions the
Armenians have remained faithful to
their religious faith. The Armenian
church greatly resembles the Greek church
in its creed and ceremonies. The music
and ceremonies are very primitive. Dur
ing Holy Week ceremonies concentrating
the washing of the disciples feet are OBJ
served. In the heart of the Caucasus
mountains is found a cathedral, which
was erected eight hundred years ago in
response to a vision. This cathedral is
at Etchmaidzin and here dwells the
Catholics" who is the head of the church.
The present one is known as George V,
Surenian, and he is the one hundred and
twenty-seventh in regular succession since
the establishment of this church.
The Armenians have many splendid
traits. They are typically eastern in APP
pearance: They more closely resemble
the Jews than any other nationality. Like
that race they have prominent nose and
they gesticulate similarly in conversation.
Like the Jews also they have learned to
bend and not break before the oppressor,
and sometimes to succeed by artifce when
opposed by force. They have also de-
veloped strong business instincts, and your
will find the Armenian mans business
successful.
The exact limits of Armenia would be
difficult to define. There are probably
three or four million of Armenians alto
gether, and many of them are Persian
subjects. The Russian and the Turkish
Armeniaps can be readily joined, but they
have been greatly scattered by the Turks.
Part of the land is several thousand feet
above sea level Mount Ararat is the