Matthew Karanian offers glimpse of Jerusalem Armenians

11/4/2011

FRESNO – A capacity crowd of 120 people attended a lecture and slide show about the Armenians of Jerusalem at California State University, Fresno, on March 30.

Matthew Karanian, a lawyer in Pasadena, Calif., and the author of several books about Armenia, told the audience that the Armenians of Jerusalem form one of the oldest Diaspora communities of the world.

“But this community is more than just old and Armenian,” Karanian told the group. “The [Armenian] community also controls, through the Armenian Apostolic Church, at least a part of every major Christian Holy Site in the region, including the birthplace and crucifixion of Jesus, and the Tomb of the Virgin Mary.”

This “prominent control by the Armenians, an ancient but small national group with an equally small national church, is extraordinary,” said Karanian.

Karanian’s lecture included a photography exhibit on Jerusalem’s Armenian Quarter and was held at the Alice Peters Auditorium on the campus of Fresno State.

Armenians have been present in Jerusalem for 2,000 years, and historical records reveal a significant Armenian community dating back at least 1,700 years.

The Armenian Studies Program of Fresno State sponsored the event. Karanian is the author of the best-selling guide to Armenia, “Armenia and Karabagh: The Stone Garden Guide.”

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