DESTROYED HERITAGE OF NO CONCERN TO ECHMIADZIN

News.am
20:43 / 08/14/2009

Tatevik Melkonyan is not only going on pilgrimage, but also
contributing to pious actions: she takes pictures of ancient
Armenian churches and creates a database of centers of our spiritual
heritage. Unfortunately, over 5,000 pictures (some of them are
available in the NEWs.am picture spread) are not yet available to the
readers: Tatevik has no money to publish the collection or arrange
a photo exhibition. The author tells about the troubles, spiritual
purification, mental anguish at seeing the ruins of Armenian churches
and monasteries.

Setting out I am a physicist and worked as engineer at the Central TV
for many years. Ten years ago I had a car accident, fell serious ill
and left work. I had much free time and began going to church. I went
on my first pilgrimage in the year 2000. Every year, a 35-40-member
group, we visit Armenian churches, cathedrals and monasteries not
only in Armenia, but also in Western Armenia, Cilicia, Iran and
Jerusalem. I have visited about 1,000 centers of Christianity, mostly
Armenian ancient churches and monasteries. They are a great number of
them in Armenia, to say nothing of those outside the country. In some
cases, only fragments of walls and of khachkars (cross-stones) can
be found. I was shocked by the remains of the Narekavank monastery,
where Narekatsi lived and worked for some time. Its location is not
far away from Lake Van, and a mosque is standing there now – only one
stone can be found. A similar fate overtook the Church of Mother of
God (the 10th century) as well as many other monasteries in Western
Armenia.. During our pilgrimage we clean the churches and the adjacent
territory from refuse, the clergyman says prayers and sometimes
holds services. I always take pictures of once glorious churches and
monasteries. My pictures are my cry for help to churches. You look
at an ancient church and hear its cry for help and restoration.

Christian mission I want my pictures to become national heritage for
people to see them and know about the churches that did and do exist
in any place populated by Armenians. But I am embarrassed: I do not
work, but we go on pilgrimages on our own funds, the Church does not
sponsor us. My expenses double because I buy films, digital chips
and have the films developed. I have to sell something valuable to
be able go on pilgrimages and take pictures. I have a large archive,
over 5,000 pictures. Last year, my only personal exhibition was held in
Echmiadzin. I have applied to the Mother See, but, unfortunately, have
not received any help so far. In 2003, I managed to publish a calendar
with my pictures of ancient churches. Two years later the first fruits
of my labor were borne: restoration work at the Astvatsnkal church
got under way. My mission is to urge well-to-do people to sponsor
the restoration of sacred places of Christondom. Every Christian must
not only go to church, but also be of real help.

Journey to sacred places The Surb Tadeivank monastery is located in
Iran. Armenians from all over the world go on a great pilgrimage to
that sacred place. The sepulcher of the apostle Thaddaeus is there. I
was there a few years ago. In 2006 I visited the Armenian churches
in Jerusalem. Last year, we visited Western Armenia, namely, Adan,
Karin, Kars and Van. The Surb Tovmas monastery is located high in
the mountains there. It has partly been preserved due to its being
difficult to approach. I also went on a pilgrimage to the Surb Khach
(Holy Cross) church on Akhtamar Island. When we entered the church,
the clergyman told us it was forbidden to light candles, pray, burn
incense and take pictures there. But we lit candles, burned incense
prayed, and I began to take pictures. The Turkish policemen, who were
seeing that, did not interfere. Only after they saw me taking pictures,
they tried to forbid me. Of course, I did not obey them and took as
many pictures as I could. This year I have returned from Cilicia with
a pilgrimage group. I will continue going on pilgrimages and taking
pictures of churches in the hope that kind people, true Christians,
will extend a helping hand.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress