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Armenian Apostolic Church of Crescenta Valley - Educational Committee
6252 Honolulu Ave.
La Crescenta, CA. 91214
Tel: 818-244-9645
E-mail: [email protected]
The Armenian Apostolic Church of Crescenta Valley Education Committee
is organizing a lecture and traditional event devoted to the Salmast's
history, ethnography and role.
This special event will take place at the Armenian Apostolic Church of
Crescenta Valley, located at the Western Prelacy's "Dikran and Zaruhi
Der Ghazarian" Hall, at 6252 Honolulu Ave., in La Crescenta,
California on Sunday, October 20, 2013 at 1:00 pm. There will also be
a special requiem in memory of all Salmastetsi-Armenians who passed
away held on the same day, at the end of the church liturgy.
The event will be highlighted by a presentation of "Salmast's Armenian
Community - Past and Present" to be delivered by Dr. Onnik Hayrapetian
along with a Power Point slideshow, recitation, etc.
Salmast is a region which had been populated with Armenians, located
in North-Western part of Iran between lakes Van and Urmia, close to
the borders of Iran and Turkey. Its historical name is Zarehavan, and
it was a part of the Armenian kingdom of Urartu from 9th to 6th
centuries BC. During the kingdom of Ardashesian, Parskahayk was the
8th state of Greater Armenia (including Salmast). In 387 AD, after the
partitioning of Armenia between Roman and Persian Empires, Persia took
over Salmast. In the 7th century Arabs occupied Salmast, then in 10th
century Salmast was again included in the Armenian kingdom. During
12th through 16th centuries Turks and Tatars occupied the region. In
17th century Persia again took over Salmast. Now, Salmast is part of
Iran.
Salmast has played an important role in the areas of Armenian culture,
religion, politics and trade. Among those who had roots in Salmast
were: Stepanos Salmastetsi, who was the all Catholicos of all
Armenians in Edjmiadzin; Raffi, the big novelist and writer; famous
Sayat Nova singer Vagharshak Sahakian, Avedis Aharonian and Parouyr
Sevak. Rostom, one of the three founders of ARF and Fedayi groups
(Jibo-Jibrael Vartanian and Sarkis Saroukhanian) operated from Salmast
against the Turkish persecutions.
During 19th century there were around 12,000 Armenians living in
Salmast. During the first quarter of the 20th century, the Armenian
population in Salmast decreased to 10,250. In coming decades this
number decreased tangibly because of the Big Earthquake in May 6,
1930, and the vast immigration to Armenia in 1946. Today, no Armenian
lives in any village of Salmast while only around 100-150 live in the
city of Salmast. Many Armenian gravestones, churches, and cultural
buildings are getting ruined.
We would like to invite everyone to be present at this special
appreciation event. There will be a reception with traditional food at
the end of the program. Admission is free and open to the public.
From: A. Papazian
6252 Honolulu Ave.
La Crescenta, CA. 91214
Tel: 818-244-9645
E-mail: [email protected]
The Armenian Apostolic Church of Crescenta Valley Education Committee
is organizing a lecture and traditional event devoted to the Salmast's
history, ethnography and role.
This special event will take place at the Armenian Apostolic Church of
Crescenta Valley, located at the Western Prelacy's "Dikran and Zaruhi
Der Ghazarian" Hall, at 6252 Honolulu Ave., in La Crescenta,
California on Sunday, October 20, 2013 at 1:00 pm. There will also be
a special requiem in memory of all Salmastetsi-Armenians who passed
away held on the same day, at the end of the church liturgy.
The event will be highlighted by a presentation of "Salmast's Armenian
Community - Past and Present" to be delivered by Dr. Onnik Hayrapetian
along with a Power Point slideshow, recitation, etc.
Salmast is a region which had been populated with Armenians, located
in North-Western part of Iran between lakes Van and Urmia, close to
the borders of Iran and Turkey. Its historical name is Zarehavan, and
it was a part of the Armenian kingdom of Urartu from 9th to 6th
centuries BC. During the kingdom of Ardashesian, Parskahayk was the
8th state of Greater Armenia (including Salmast). In 387 AD, after the
partitioning of Armenia between Roman and Persian Empires, Persia took
over Salmast. In the 7th century Arabs occupied Salmast, then in 10th
century Salmast was again included in the Armenian kingdom. During
12th through 16th centuries Turks and Tatars occupied the region. In
17th century Persia again took over Salmast. Now, Salmast is part of
Iran.
Salmast has played an important role in the areas of Armenian culture,
religion, politics and trade. Among those who had roots in Salmast
were: Stepanos Salmastetsi, who was the all Catholicos of all
Armenians in Edjmiadzin; Raffi, the big novelist and writer; famous
Sayat Nova singer Vagharshak Sahakian, Avedis Aharonian and Parouyr
Sevak. Rostom, one of the three founders of ARF and Fedayi groups
(Jibo-Jibrael Vartanian and Sarkis Saroukhanian) operated from Salmast
against the Turkish persecutions.
During 19th century there were around 12,000 Armenians living in
Salmast. During the first quarter of the 20th century, the Armenian
population in Salmast decreased to 10,250. In coming decades this
number decreased tangibly because of the Big Earthquake in May 6,
1930, and the vast immigration to Armenia in 1946. Today, no Armenian
lives in any village of Salmast while only around 100-150 live in the
city of Salmast. Many Armenian gravestones, churches, and cultural
buildings are getting ruined.
We would like to invite everyone to be present at this special
appreciation event. There will be a reception with traditional food at
the end of the program. Admission is free and open to the public.
From: A. Papazian