Three signs of Denial

Armodoxy for Today: Glimmer under the cover at Ani

The City of Ani in Western Armenia was once known as the city of 1001 churches. These were Armenian Church, with domes that were patterned on the architecture of Holy Etchmiadzin, the first Christian Cathedral built in 303AD. Like Holy Etchmiadzin, the Cathedral and churches of Ani were in Armenia proper until the lands were occupied.

A few years ago I led a pilgrimage to this sacred space which now resides in Eastern Turkey. There we witnessed the first part of “operation cover up.” Informational signs that were placed at the entrance of the city read in English, French and Turkish, with absolutely no mention of the Armenian origins of these churches, despite the fact that all the ruins contain Armenian etchings, letters and are referenced in hundreds of scholarly articles, essays and books attesting to the Armenian origins of the ruins.

Part two of “operation cover up” takes place as the Turkish government has decided to topple the shrines.

The small glimmer of Light comes from a small icon, almost completely buried under the rubble. It is an icon of Jesus Christ, with the words that cannot be ignored nor covered up: “I am the way, the truth and the life.

Today’s one minute for Summertime.