CYPRUS ARMENIANS-GIBRAHAYER

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Diachronic course in Cyprus

FACTS

The diachronic course of Armenians in Cyprus
Alexander-Michael Hadjilyra

NATION CREATION

  • During the 8th century B.C., from the tribes in the western part of the kingdom of Urartu, in the region of present-day Anatolia.

APPEARANCE IN CYPRUS

  • In 578 Emperor Justin II during his campaign against Persian Chosroes II captured 10.090 Armenians, of which the 1/3 was transferred here.

OTHER TRANSFERS FROM
AND TO CYPRUS

  • More Armenians arrived here during the reign of the Armenian-descended Emperor Heraclius (610-641), in relation to political motives.
  • After the liberation of Cyprus, in 965, by Patrician Niketas Chalkoutzes, Armenians settle here as mercenary Frontiersmen.
  • Between 1136-1138 the entire population of the city Tel Hamdoun is transferred here.
  • In 1185 after the wedding of Isaac II Comnenus with the daughter of Thoros II, Armenian warriors arrive.
  • In 1192 after an invitation by Guy De Lusignan.
  • About 30.000 Armenians arrive when in 1322 the Saracens occupy little Armenia.
  • More Armenians come in 1335 and in 1346, to escape the Mamluk attacks.
  • In 1403 another 30.000 Armenians,
  • while in 1421 the residents of Seihun migrate here.
  • In 1441 Armenians and Syrians from Syria and Cilicia settle in Famagusta.
  • A good many of the 40.000 Armenian craftsmen who helped with the capture of Nicosia by the Ottomans remained after 1570-1571.
  • Armenians arrive during the first years of the British Era as entrepreneurs and translators.
  • About 8.000 Armenian refugees find shelter in Cyprus from the horrific slaughters and the Genocide (1894-1896, 1909 & 1915-1923).
  • Exodus after 1925 and between 1962-1965 to Armenia, between 1955-1959 & 1962-1965 to U.K.
  • Armenians arrived in Cyprus as refugees from Palestine (1947) & Egypt (1956).
  • Armenians also arrived here because of the civil war in Lebanon (1975-1990),
  • the Revolution in Iran (1979)
  • and the fall of the U.S.S.R. (1991).

VILLAGES THEY ESTABLISHED

  • Armenokhori,
  • Arminou,
  • Kornokipos,
  • Patriki,
  • Platani,
  • Spathariko maybe also Mousere.
  • Later on many resided in the ARMENIAN QUARTER.

CHURCH ESTABLISHMENT

  • Although we have officially evidence since 1179 (Thaddeus), it appears it was established in 973.

GENERIC OCCUPATION

  • Initially mercenaries, knights and warriors,
  • later on capable fief owners,
  • after that nobles and merchants,
  • afterwards businessmen and photographers, translators, doctors, advocates, professors, musicians, shoemakers, stamp makers, locksmiths, tailors, drapers, printers, watchmakers, miners, restaurateurs and merchants.

POPULATION

  • Frankish Era: 30.000 - 60.000
  • Venetian Era: 30.000
  • Ottoman Era: 35.000, rapid reduction.
  • 1881: 175,
  • 1931: 3.400,
  • 1960: 3.600
  • 2008: 3.000-3.500

EDUCATION

  • Nicosia
  • 1870: Vartanantz School for Boys,
  • 1902: Shushanian School for Girls,
  • 1897-1904: Kurkjian Boarding School,
  • 1921 & 1938: Melikian & Ouzounian Varjaranner, they were merged in 1950.
  • 1972: Nareg.
  • Larnaca
  • 1909: Mousheghian Varjaran,
  • 1996: new Nareg.
  • Limassol
  • 1928: Armenian School,
  • 2007: new Nareg.
  • Famagusta: school,
  • Amiandos: nursery.
  • Nareg Junior High School: 2005. Nicosia
  • MELKONIAN: 1926-2005.

CHURCHES/MONASTERIES

  • Sourp Asdvadzadzin - Virgin Mary (Acropolis),
  • Sourp Stepanos - Saint Stephen (Larnaca),
  • Sourp Kevork - Saint George (Limassol),
  • Sourp Amenapergitch - Saviour of All (Acropolis),
  • Sourp Haroutune - Resurrection (Ayios Dhometios T),
  • Sourp Boghos - Saint Paul (Nicosia T).
  • Sourp Asdvadzadzin - Virgin Mary (Nicosia),
  • Holy Virgin of Ganchvor - the Caller (Famagusta),
  • GARAVANK - SAINT MAKARIOS MONASTERY (Halevga).
  • Armenian Evangelical Church (Nicosia)

CEMETERIES

 

  • 1 at Ledra Palace
  • 1 in Larnaca,
  • 1 in Limassol,
  • 1 in Ayios Dhometios,
  • 1 in Ayii Trimithias,
  • 1 in Famagusta
  • + 1 protestant in Larnaca.

RELIGIOUS IDENTITY

 

  • Oriental Orthodox Church with one Patriarch (Catholicos) in Etchmiadzin and one in Antelias.
  • They are not Monophysites.
  • The mass is celebrated in Armenian.
  • Adoration is limited to the kissing the Gospel and the Cross.
  • Instead of icons they have the Khackar (cross-stones).
  • They have celibate and married priests, and the deacons are laymen.

PARTICULARITIES

  • There many Libanahayer (Lebanese Armenians) in Cyprus
  • and Hayastantsi (Armenians of Armenia).
  • Very few Armenian Cypriots are Evangelicals, Catholics or Jehovah's Witnesses.

LANGUAGE/WRITING SYSTEM

 

  • Their mother tongue is Western Armenian (Arevm'tahayeren),
  • however they also speak Greek
  • and English, and the older ones Turkish too.
  • The Armenian alphabet was invented in 405 by Sourp Mesrob Mashtots and had 36 elements (+2 in the 11th century).

ACTIVITIES

  • Printed press: Artsagang - Echo, Azad Tzayn - Free Voice, Lradou, Keghart, electronic (Gibrahayer),
  • Associations & Youth clubs (AYMA/DASHNAKTSUTIUN Vs AGBU-PAREKORDZAGAN/ RAMGAVAR, HENCHAGIAN),
  • Athletic teams, Dancing groups, formerly scout Systems, hockey Team & Gaydzak,
  • Kalaydjian Rest Home for the Elderly.
  • Daily radio transmission from CyBC 2 between 17:00-18:00.

MONUMENTS

  • Genocide Monuments (Nicosia & Larnaca & destroyed occupied Nicosia),
  • Khachkar, Bishop Zareh's bust and Sourp Krikor Naregatsi's statue (Acropolis),
  • monument of Krikor & Garabed Melkonian (Aglandjia),
  • monument at Magaravank for the visit of Catholicos Sahag II
  • Khachkar (Limassol)