Armenian cross

An Armenian cross is a symbol that combines a cross with a floral postament or elements. The cross of Armenian Christianity is combined with the Christian cross, and this design was often used for high crosses ( khachkar) – a free-standing cross made of stone and often richly decorated.

Pre-Christian connections

The Armenologist James R. Russell notes that the Armenian Cross incorporates influences from Armenia's Zoroastrian past. ^[1] As Zoroastrian traditions were very much integrated into Armenian spiritual and material culture, they survived the zealotry of the Sasanian priest Kartir ( fl. 3rd century) and his successors, and were ultimately incorporated into Armenian Christianity. ^[1] Russell adds: "The Armenian Cross itself is supported on tongues of flame and has at its center not the body of Christ, but a sunburst". ^[1]

Gallery

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  The Holy Savior khachkar in Haghpat (1273)
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  An Amenaprkich khachkhar in Etchmiadzin
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  Amenaprkich khatchkar with two others at the Sourp Nshan Church in downtown Beirut, Lebanon (2001)
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  A khackhar at the Armenian Catholicossate of Cilicia in Antelias, Lebanon
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  A khachkar in Sanahin
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  A modern, Amenaprkich-type, khachkar in Novi Sad, Serbia (1993)
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  A large 13th-century khachkar at Gandzasar Monastery in Artsakh
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  The famous double khachkars of the Memorial Bell-Tower of the Dadivank Monastery in Artsakh
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  Modern khachkar (1999), St. James Armenian Church in Watertown, MA, USA
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  USVA Headstone Emblem 42

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Armenian Cross.

• Celtic knot
• High cross
• Khachkar

References

Bibliography

• ^ Thierry, Jean-Michel (1989). Armenian Art. New York: Harry N. Abrams. ISBN  0-8109-0625-2.

External links

• Khatchkar collection at Armenica.org
• Old Jugha page on Armeniapedia
• Destruction of Jugha khachkars by Azeri soldiers captured in photos and movie clips.
• Khachkar page on Armeniapedia (many photos)
• Photos at Armenia Photos.info Archived 2011-06-25 at the Wayback Machine
• Photos of 15th/16th CE khatchkars near Bitlis, Turkey
• Khachkar.am :: Everything about khachkars
• Triumph of Tolerance or Vandalism?
• Photos and history of Khachkars
• Djulfa Virtual Memorial and Museum
• Photos of Exceptional Samples of Armenian Cross-Stones (Khachkars)