MosJan Posted March 25, 2005 Report Share Posted March 25, 2005 New Year, Old Tradition: Pagans praise their God in Garni ceremony By Arpi Harutyunyan ArmeniaNow Reporter “We congratulate all Aryans, all God fearing, all sons of Vahagn, all those who feel their roots in Mother Ararat with the New Year, the near approach of the Cosmic Spring and the 9,588th anniversary of Vahagn,” shouts Pagan priest Zhora, raising a dagger. http://armenianow.com/files/pub/674_01.jpg Easter week also brought a Pagan celebration to Garni Temple Easter week also brought a Pagan celebration to Garni Temple It is the Pagan new year and about 100 Armenians have gathered near the temple in Garni March 21 to celebrate the birth of Vahagn, the God of Power and Fire. All together they spell. The heaven was in torments of childbirth; the earth was in torments of childbirth And the crimson sea was in torments of childbirth And from the torments of the sea, A red reed came out, And smoke came out from the rim of the reed, And a flame came out from the rim of the reed And from that flame, a red-haired youth runs out … And they end their poem with the exclamation “Let Vahagn be praised!”… On this day,the Sun enters the constellation of Aries, and the day and the night equal in duration: the Cosmic Spring begins. For 16 years “The Oath of the Sons of Aryans” non-governmental organization celebrates in Garni the New Year on Areg 21 (in the ancient Armenian calendar March is called Areg). The group claims more than 1,000 members. On this day the sons of the Aryans hold on to the Pagan ritual fixed centuries ago. And if someone appears suddenly nearby the temple of Garni he will think for sure the time has gone back for hundreds of years. The Pagan priests of the order in golden, blue and white coats, with daggers hanging from their belts open the ceremony. Their hierarchy is differentiated with the colors of their coats: the one in a golden coat is the Supreme Priest; the one in blue is the President of the Priest Class and the one in white is the Priest. Vahagn’s birth, torn from heaven and earth, is celebrated. “He will be born to continue the tribe of his Aryan gods on Earth. And those Aryans who will believe and wait for Vahagn will get power,” shouts Supreme Priest Samvel. “And those, who will not believe, will remain in their undesirable illness and will be destroyed, for no gods are born from the ill.” Then they burn Vahagn’s fire, make their daggers red-hot and plunge them into cups of wine. “Praising the Gods of my tribe, with their help, I consecrate this wine…Drink it and get power,” says the Supreme Priest. They met in the snow to honor the God of Fire. They met in the snow to honor the God of Fire. Everybody tastes the consecrated wine. They consecrate willow fronds and distribute among participants. The young fronds symbolize life. Similar to other Pagan festivals, lambs are also sacrificed on this day This time the president of the “Union of Armenian Aryans” Armen Avetisyan made the sacrifice. (Avetisyan stirred controversy in the National Assembly last fall, with a series of charges against various groups who were "dangerous" to Armenian purity. The word "Aryan" itself is frequently associated with racism in the West. The NGO, however, says for their use, it is simply a synonymn for "pagan".) “I myself have an ode to Vahagn and I dream of time when my soul gets in touch with the soul of Vahagn – the Armenian god of Power. I wish Armenian gods return to the spiritual world of our nation, only they can return us to our roots and protect us from foreign gods,” says Armen Avetisyan. An apricot tree was planted in the yard of the temple, holding on to tradition despite a heavy March snow. Pagan Armenians consider the apricot a tree of life and believe the energy of that tree protects Armenian families from evil. The priests call on the gathered to decorate the apricot tree for the fulfillment of wishes. “I participate in all the events taking place here since 1990,” says 35 year old Pagan, Edik. “Christianity has once been something like globalization. That is why we Armenians have also adopted it. But in truth the basics of our religion is Paganism. The Mother Temple of Etchmiadzin also has Pagan grounds and is built on the basis of the sanctuary of the god Mihr. We consider Paganism is a belief, and Christianity – a religion.” Pagans and everybody else gathered were united not only by their belief, but also by their age. They insist they are 9,588 years old, the age they share with god Vahagn in whom the souls of all Armenian Aryans have been living. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gamavor Posted March 25, 2005 Report Share Posted March 25, 2005 Then they burn Vahagn’s fire, make their daggers red-hot and plunge them into cups of wine. Hell, after all it is not that bad to be a pagan from time to time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nakharar Posted March 25, 2005 Report Share Posted March 25, 2005 Haha! I know that in Greece they have revived the worship of the 12 Olympian Gods and want to get it recognized by the state. Personally I think that the Greeks went downhill after they abandoned them for those Orthodox Ayatollahs. At least the former were much more entertaining and had a zest for life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anoushik Posted March 26, 2005 Report Share Posted March 26, 2005 New Year, Old Tradition: Pagans praise their God in Garni ceremony style_images/master/snapback.png Wow, pretty interesting. I didn't know that there are active Pagan Armenians in Armenia. I love traditions like this The heaven was in torments of childbirth; the earth was in torments of childbirth And the crimson sea was in torments of childbirth And from the torments of the sea, A red reed came out, And smoke came out from the rim of the reed, And a flame came out from the rim of the reed And from that flame, a red-haired youth runs out … What is the name of this poem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maral Posted March 26, 2005 Report Share Posted March 26, 2005 I honestly have no idea what pagan means...when I hear the word pagan I associate it with fire and or devil worship for some reason.... so I decided to look it up and I got this ... pa·gan ( P ) Pronunciation Key (pgn) n. One who is not a Christian, Muslim, or Jew, especially a worshiper of a polytheistic religion. One who has no religion. A non-Christian. A hedonist. A Neo-Pagan. so a pagan is someone who is not Christian,Muslim or a Jew?that's it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azat Posted March 26, 2005 Report Share Posted March 26, 2005 I honestly have no idea what pagan means...when I hear the word pagan I associate it with fire and or devil worship for some reason.... so I decided to look it up and I got this ... pa·gan ( P ) Pronunciation Key (pgn) n. One who is not a Christian, Muslim, or Jew, especially a worshiper of a polytheistic religion. One who has no religion. A non-Christian. A hedonist. A Neo-Pagan. so a pagan is someone who is not Christian,Muslim or a Jew?that's it? style_images/master/snapback.png Maral jan it is time that you stop using the dictionary written for your 3 year old. ohhhh, now I have a feeling that even my body guard is going to need a bodyguard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted March 26, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2005 What is the name of this poem. style_images/master/snapback.png NArekatsy Yerregan Poghen Tsux k@yelaner.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arpa Posted March 26, 2005 Report Share Posted March 26, 2005 NArekatsy Yerregan Poghen Tsux k@yelaner.... style_images/master/snapback.png Nerir indz Movses, Nerkatsi che ayl Khorenatsi. Look here; http://hyeforum.com/index.php?act=Search&C...highlite=erkner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted March 26, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2005 shnorhakal Arpa chgitem inchu sa arden 3rd angamn e nuyn harts@ sh@potum em Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maral Posted March 27, 2005 Report Share Posted March 27, 2005 Maral jan it is time that you stop using the dictionary written for your 3 year old. ohhhh, now I have a feeling that even my body guard is going to need a bodyguard. style_images/master/snapback.png heyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy....hope you get heartburn from the tabouleh! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted March 27, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2005 Azat yes qo tegh@ te lineyi Shat Zguysh k@xoseyi Marali het mi Moratsy - Maral@ 3 angam Zoqanch e linelu n@ra XOSqer@ shat shut en tegh hasnum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anoushik Posted March 28, 2005 Report Share Posted March 28, 2005 Thank you Movses and Arpa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arpa Posted March 28, 2005 Report Share Posted March 28, 2005 (edited) I honestly have no idea what pagan means...when I hear the word pagan I associate it with fire and or devil worship for some reason.... so I decided to look it up and I got this ... pa·gan ( P ) Pronunciation Key (pgn) n. One who is not a Christian, Muslim, or Jew, especially a worshiper of a polytheistic religion. One who has no religion. A non-Christian. A hedonist. A Neo-Pagan. so a pagan is someone who is not Christian,Muslim or a Jew?that's it? style_images/master/snapback.png I will not repeat what that shamesless Azat had. All I can say is; Dream On! By the defintion above we lose hands down. It is reported that world population is hovering around 6 billion at the present. The three denominations above put together may add to 3 billion, 2 b Christians, 1b Moslems and a Jew or two. That leaves out another 3 billion. Between China and India the 2 billion may be accounted for which leaves another one billion to fill in the blanks. BTW. How many billions do the (Christian?) Armenians account for? Wait till the Chinese and the Indians conquer the world. Not a too far fetched possibility. Then they may tell us in no uncertain terms who the real "pagans" are. Fortunately for us those people are too busy building up their countries and societies and pay little attention to what those insignificant flies, aka, Chrsitians, Moslems and Jews have to say about them. "Onward Christian Soldiers, marching as to war!" The Pope will protect us when the Chinese and the Indians decide to march on. Yeah Right!! Keep insulting them! Pagan, schmagan!! As is, those two have all but conquered the west already. More than 50% of trinkets on US shelves are made in China and India is the haven of cheap internet help desk. More than you may realize that your calls to an 800 number are picked up in India. Just as almost the entire US pharmaceutical industry is located somewhere in India. Remember the chemical disaster in Bhopal? A joke; The Sunday teacher tells her students that "God makes everything". Little Johnny rises and chirps in; "Not so! Many things are made in China"! Edited March 28, 2005 by Arpa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
armjan Posted March 28, 2005 Report Share Posted March 28, 2005 (edited) Between China and India the 2 billion may be accounted for which leaves another one billion to fill in the blanks. BTW. How many billions do the (Christian?) Armenians account for? estimated armenian world population is probably around 8-9 million(2001 Census Worldwide). if the threads on this forum is representative demographic, I would probably guess the # of armenian christians to be < 4 million if not less. don't get me wrong, u can believe in whatever makes u happy. Wait till the Chinese and the Indians conquer the world. Not a too far fetched possibility. Then they may tell us in no uncertain terms who the real "pagans" are. they already have. even the mexicans & rabbits can't catch up to these ppl. they attend U.S. schools, steal jobs from citizens, and deperess labor salaries b/c they work for so cheap. and their having a good time in their own country. "Onward Christian Soldiers, marching as to war!" The Pope will protect us when the Chinese and the Indians decide to march on. there are far greater dangers one should be concerned with than those who preach about forgiveness/love. Addiotionally, everybody & their mama marches to some tune, you just c the cross as a symbol/reminder of christian interest, that's all, but we are subcousious to other persuasive measures. Edited March 28, 2005 by armjan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nakharar Posted March 29, 2005 Report Share Posted March 29, 2005 Wait till the Chinese and the Indians conquer the world. Not a too far fetched possibility. Then they may tell us in no uncertain terms who the real "pagans" are. The Chinese already had a headstart. 2000 years ago they were numbering around 50 million, about the same population size as Europe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maral Posted March 29, 2005 Report Share Posted March 29, 2005 Pameh cheh hasgatzah! So what is the definition of a Pagan? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iran01 Posted March 29, 2005 Report Share Posted March 29, 2005 New Year, Old Tradition: Pagans praise their God in Garni ceremony By Arpi Harutyunyan ArmeniaNow Reporter “We congratulate all Aryans, all God fearing, all sons of Vahagn, all those who feel their roots in Mother Ararat with the New Year, the near approach of the Cosmic Spring and the 9,588th anniversary of Vahagn,” shouts Pagan priest Zhora, raising a dagger. Easter week also brought a Pagan celebration to Garni Temple Easter week also brought a Pagan celebration to Garni Temple It is the Pagan new year and about 100 Armenians have gathered near the temple in Garni March 21 to celebrate the birth of Vahagn, the God of Power and Fire. Good news Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arpa Posted March 29, 2005 Report Share Posted March 29, 2005 Good news style_images/master/snapback.png It is good news indeed. It's about time. We will get back to our native traditions if and when the Ayatollahs concede that they did not invent Islam any more than we invented Christianity. Except for teo things things. The Armenian New Year is Navasard, which in fact means Nav/Nau=New and Sard=Year (it is in August. I can expand on it) while Nauruz means New Day. In the Armenian "ruz" appears as "roj/rojik" which has evolved to mean "daily supply/provision" as in the soldiers' rations or the travellers' provisions. We have spoken about that too, please search) The other not so good aspect of the story is the confusing native traditons with aryan/ism. Please search and find one of my posts, probably in the "culture" section titled "Aryan Aryun" (Aryan Blood) . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arpa Posted March 29, 2005 Report Share Posted March 29, 2005 Pameh cheh hasgatzah! So what is the definition of a Pagan? style_images/master/snapback.png Maral, go to "culture" and read all about what "pagan" and "hetanos" means. We have spoken about them before. You can find them searching, use "pagano" and "hetanos" as your criteria. In the mean time I will write a new an improved version of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaunt Posted March 29, 2005 Report Share Posted March 29, 2005 We are the sons of Haldi, not Vahagn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arpa Posted March 30, 2005 Report Share Posted March 30, 2005 We are the sons of Haldi, not Vahagn. style_images/master/snapback.png Very interesting. Please elabortate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaunt Posted March 30, 2005 Report Share Posted March 30, 2005 Very interesting. Please elabortate. style_images/master/snapback.png Remember this site Arpa? http://www.angelfire.com/hi/Azgaser/AR.html , it was a great read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iran01 Posted March 30, 2005 Report Share Posted March 30, 2005 It is good news indeed. It's about time. We will get back to our native traditions if and when the Ayatollahs concede that they did not invent Islam any more than we invented Christianity. Except for teo things things. The Armenian New Year is Navasard, which in fact means Nav/Nau=New and Sard=Year (it is in August. I can expand on it) while Nauruz means New Day. In the Armenian "ruz" appears as "roj/rojik" which has evolved to mean "daily supply/provision" as in the soldiers' rations or the travellers' provisions. We have spoken about that too, please search) The other not so good aspect of the story is the confusing native traditons with aryan/ism. Please search and find one of my posts, probably in the "culture" section titled "Aryan Aryun" (Aryan Blood) . style_images/master/snapback.png Actually I am very happy to joined this Armenian forum. I have learned a lot of you guys. What I know in acient Iran they had 2 new year celeberations. One was called less Nowruz , the other was called great Nowruz. As you know less Nowruz in 21 Mars is Iranian new year. But guess what! The great Nowruz was in August. And it is still celebrated by smaller comunity of Zarathushtrians. And that guy , Vahagn is not a unknown face ! But he is composed by several faces in Iran. According to mythology : First, kiumarth's son ( kiu + death ) was killed by dragon. Second, his uncle Hushang kill the dragon and discover the fire. Third, Jamshid install Nowruz. I know in India they have similar story for death, fire, birth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ludwig9 Posted March 30, 2005 Report Share Posted March 30, 2005 Actually I am very happy to joined this Armenian forum. I have learned a lot of you guys. What I know in acient Iran they had 2 new year celeberations. One was called less Nowruz , the other was called great Nowruz. As you know less Nowruz in 21 Mars is Iranian new year. But guess what! The great Nowruz was in August. And it is still celebrated by smaller comunity of Zarathushtrians. And that guy , Vahagn is not a unknown face ! But he is composed by several faces in Iran. According to mythology : First, kiumarth's son ( kiu + death ) was killed by dragon. Second, his uncle Hushang kill the dragon and discover the fire. Third, Jamshid install Nowruz. I know in India they have similar story for death, fire, birth. style_images/master/snapback.png The commonalities is because the Armenians and the ancient Persians shared the same or similar religion at one time. Originally the Armenians and the ancient Persians celebrated the new year at the same time, which is suppose to be the first day of spring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arpa Posted April 4, 2005 Report Share Posted April 4, 2005 (edited) Sirelik Maralik, To fully understand the true meaning of "pagan", please watch the pomp and circumstances around the last voyage of the Pope. And please tell us how the "pagan", the peasant is dressed and adorned vs the "aristocracy" of today, i.e. the hierarchy. When and where did Jesus don such golden regalia!!?? And please tell us why we , the poor "peasants/paisan/geghatsi/giughatsi/(kheghjuk) geghjuks" were labeled as "pagans". THe hell with the new fangled aristocracy, aka "hierarchy". We are the real Hyer, and "we shall prevail (overcome)"!!! Edited April 4, 2005 by Arpa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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