Armenian Roots

Question - If someone were to ask you where Armenia is, would you know? I think it is safe to guess more than half of you would not. So, to give a frame of reference using a few countries you might know, Turkey is to the west of Armenia, Iran is south, Azerbaijan is to the east, and you find the country of Georgia to the north. It is located in a region between the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea, in the Caucasus Mountain range. The mountains create a natural borderline between Europe and Asia in addition to the political border. Armenia was a former Soviet republic and was the smallest at the time. It's no surprise it's largest city, is its capital, Yerevan. A traveller would find extinct volcanoes and rugged mountains in its terrain.

Modern day Armenia is smaller compared to ancient Armenia. But the rich history in civilization remains. One claim to fame for Armenia occurred around 300 A.D. when it became the first country in the world to accept Christianity as a religion. As we mentioned the area has changed. At one time Mount Ararat was a part of the landscape. This is the mountain documented in the Bible as the place where Noah's ark landed after the flood.

History shows the Armenian Empire, under the rule of Tigrane the Great, became one of the most powerful nations in Asia. Over time and many invasions the ruling empires have changed hands. Due to these threats, Armenians have learned to protect their culture and traditions intensely. During the following centuries, the list of those who conquered Armenia seems almost endless. And another first for this ancient civilization was one no country wants: In the 20th century, the Armenian massacre became the first genocide recorded - murder or starvation took the lives of 600,000 to 1.5 million Armenians in April of 1915 at the hands of the Turks (although many Turks still refute this happened). The Armenians were deported to the deserts of Syria and Mesopotamia. There is a lot of history that follows to make those who can claim ancestors originating in Armenia feel a strong sense of pride.

Have you ever worked on a puzzle with hundreds of pieces and gotten close to the end, only to discover you are missing a few pieces? Well, that was my life in a nutshell. As the adopted daughter of wonderful parents, I was always missing "something". I had adopted twin brothers a few years older than I and they had each other. I, on the other hand, felt a nagging emptiness with not a single person to form that connection of "blood family". Perhaps because I did see my two brothers interact it brought it to my attention day in and day out. Where did I come from? Who were my biological parents? Did I have biological siblings? Now, don't get me wrong, I loved my adoptive family. But like most adoptees, there were questions.

To make a really long story short, it was my adoptive parents who began the search for my biological parents. They paid an private investigator to do the research. And oh, what a journey I have been on since the details began unraveling. I have had moments I high elation that I continue to cherish and moments of pure disappointment and heartbreak, which I choose to feel made me stronger. But I wouldn't trade one minute of this odyssey. I have found the missing puzzle pieces - that part of my mission is accomplished.

I have chronicled it in my self-published book, available through Lulu and on Amazon.
MY ARMENIAN GENESIS: The Last Survivor by Mary L. MOVSISIAN Foess

You may be saying, "What's the big deal about knowing your heritage?" This is an easy one for me to answer. Let's begin with the Bible. Have you ever read the word "begat"? - "Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judah and his brethren". Sometimes the chapter listed as many as fourteen generations (many names difficult to pronounce). Obviously, this is important to show the connections of generations. As an adoptee, I am missing those links. Medical records. Have you filled out a doctor's questionnaire that asked for family history? Did one of your parents have heart issues, cancer, or diabetes? Some diseases run in families or make you more susceptible to that particular illness. Wouldn't that be nice to know and have for your records? I am not saying we should not have adoptions, just that we, as adoptees are denied crucial information.

When I made my discoveries it was like a wall had come down and I finally could see a reflection of who I really was. My skin coloring, my facial features, my build, my makeup all took on a new meaning. I was proud to know I had roots in Armenia, that some family members had survivied the Armenian Genocide (otherwise I would not be here). This gave me inner strength. I can now look at pictures of my ancestors and even see my children in their faces.

This hat displays the Armenian coat of arms and can be proudly worn by anyone wanting to support their heritage or the country of Armenia.

armenia coat of arms by flagart
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This tee demonstrates, in a fun way, how we all feel about our heritage.

I'm Armenian by National_Tees
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Bumperstickers are known to make a statement and this one does with the colors of the Armenian flag in a heart shape indicating I Love Armenia.
I Love Armenia Flag by MyLoveStore
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Aprons with a message liven up a cook-out, as this one surely will. Just a warning: Armenian with an Attitude is cooking.

Attitude Armenian by teyes143
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This bag is designed to show you are Proud to be Armenian. Great design with crest.

Proud to be Armenian by PrideGiftShop
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