"The Eyewitness": 101-year old Mariam Meymaryan tells about century-year old "Narek"
YEREVAN, JULY 2, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian Genocide initiated in the Ottoman Empire during the World War I in the beginning of the previous century is one of the biggest crimes against humanity. Advancing the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide the new project introduced by "Armenpress" news agency is dedicated to the story of the eyewitnesses and survivors of the calamity to prove the world one more time that our demand for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide is fair and justified. This time the project is dedicated to the story of migration from Caesarea of 101-year old Mariam Meymaryan and "Book of Lamentations" by St. Gregory of Narek, which dates back to 1,5 century.
Along with a special walking assistance device, "Book of Lamentations" by St. Gregory of Narek and a Gospel, which dates back to 90 years, are always at hand. Each verse of these books has a special meaning for Mariam Meymaryan, who was born in Caesarea in 1912. Prayer has become an inseparable part of our heroine's routine. "I cannot hear, but I read the Gospel and "The Book of Lamentations" by St. Gregory of Narek every day. The Gospel is not meant for prayers alone; it is a wisdom and knowledge as well," Mariam underscored. She treats "The Book of Lamentations" published in 1858 with pin-point accuracy. Mariam's father had made notes on the bottom of the book about the meaning of each verse.
The stories told by Mariam's mother complete her memories about the Armenian Genocide. The recollection is obscure, but the 101-year old eyewitness knows one thing for sure – be just, protect the right and you will live a long life. (THE FULL VERSION OF THE ARTICLE IS AVAILABLE IN ARMENIAN)
Article by Tatevik Grigoryan
Photos by Arthur Harutyunyan
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