Armenia Week Six

Armenia Week 6 (November 22 – November 27)
This week included more visits to members. We felt we might have to eat Hash as Lusik had told us she was going to fix a Georgian meal…but we lucked out; she fed us nummy Dolma instead…but we may yet get Hash as she showed us the cow hooves she was soaking. Check out the picture that’s in photobucket.com.
Wednesday was also the first Relief Society activity I’ve participated in. It was quite different from what I have experienced at home. The sisters all gathered at the church, sitting around in a large circle. They did start with a spiritual thought and prayer, but then it was just a lot of talent sharing: some sang solos, mostly of Armenian type music which sounds a little mournful to me, some recited poems, several danced, and Tovinar played the old, out of tune piano pretty well. We also have an electronic piano which is more in tune, but that wasn’t her choice. They visit with one another and sometimes they appear to be arguing or fighting, but I’m not sure as I don’t know what they said, only how their voices sound to me. Then they eat…and this time it was horavats with an apple, cream puff and drink all served on cardboard-type plates which they will wash and reuse. I think some came because they were hoping the branch president would be there and they could implore him for assistance, but he was working (it seems that not many men work in this town). They wanted to have me talk to the branch president, but the missionaries intervened and said they would have to personally discuss their needs with him. I do think they bent the branch president’s wife’s ear some, however.
This week was also Thanksgiving and boy do we count our blessings each and every day. We were able to spend some time with the other senior couples. We were treated to a wonderful feast at the Marriott Hotel in Yerevan. It’s an Italian restaurant but they served up a terrific turkey, mashed potatoes and veggies meal. We even had shrimp cocktail and a squash soup and a baked apple on cream for other courses. We were stuffed…aren’t we lucky enough to be that way on most Thanksgivings. I’m so grateful to be an American! We are blessed! I forgot to mention that we were also serenaded by a wonderful singer who sang in several languages…now maybe that makes it more of an Italian restaurant.
Friday, we went with the VanDykes (from American Fork) who are serving up in Gyumri, to see some of the touristy things in Armenia. We went to Khor Virap. If you have seen pictures of Mt. Ararat, it’s the buildings just in front. This is where St. Gregory the Illuminator who was imprisoned for preaching Christianity, was kept for 13 years in a pit. He was saved only because a caring women threw food down to him. We climbed down a steel ladder about 6 meters or so to his chamber…dark and depressing…to say the least. I didn’t think I was going to make it back out as it was straight up climbing, pulling yourself up a rung at a time…but I’m writing this, so I did. I noticed something else interesting as we drove along. The graveyards have actual pictures of the deceased carved or etched into the headstones.
We also visited the headquarters (Holy See) of the Armenian Apolostic Church. It has several old churches and some newer ones under construction at the site. It also has what appears to be monastery- like dorms for those studying there. If I understood our guide right, the priests can marry, except for the head one who doesn’t get married. The biggest cathedral (Echmiadzin), I think the guide said was originally built in 303 A.D. but has been remodeled and/or renovated several times since then. Christianity was declared as the State Religion in 301 AD. I noticed that they have some boxes on stands filled with sand and water. People purchase candles, light them and put them in the boxes as sort of a way to pray for someone or something. They also go out of the churches walking backwards. When I asked our guide about it, he indicated that you shouldn’t turn your back on God, so they walk out backwards.
Saturday, November 28, we enjoyed the adult session of our District Conference. Elder Schwitzer was the visiting authority. He taught a lot about the importance of mothers and fathers being teachers in the home and how children can be taught even without words being said, i.e. pictures on the refrigerators (he said this was particularly effective for teenage boys who hang out by the frig), on the wall of their homes. He said as a bishop he visited an inactive sister and found out when he noticed a picture on her wall that she had been a missionary long ago. She didn’t return to church, but her five sons all served missions. He said to never discount the influence that a picture can have. He also questioned the type of videos, books we have and we should make sure they are the types of things that will be a good influence. They are another way that we can teach without the use of words. He also talked about the importance of sitting down at the table and eating together. He also taught a principle about how to learn the 10 commandments. He divided the commandments into three parts: the first part containing 4 commandments about God (have no other Gods before us, don’t worship idols or things other than God, don’t take the name of the Lord in vain, keep the Sabbath holy); the second part: about parents (honor thy father and mother), and the last five commandments dealing with others: don’t kill, commit adultery, steal, tell lies, bear false witness, or covet anything your neighbor has). We were able to understand the English speakers (President Dunn, Elder Schwitzer, Sister Dunn and Sister Schwitzer) and had ear phones so the elders could translate for us to understand the Armenians. We’re looking forward to Sunday for the last session of the Conference and then back to business in Ararat for at least a day.