July 6, 2009

Organized by the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) and The National Association for Armenian Studies (NAASR), a lecture “The Archival Chamber of Etchmiadzin “was presented by Dr. George Bournoutian, Professor of East European and Middle Eastern Studies, Iona College, New York on Tuesday, June 30th, at AGBU’s Alex Manoogian Cultural Centre in Toronto.

Close to 150 “Bournoutian fans” had gathered to hear the ever popular professor talk about his new book “Jambr”. Dr. Bournoutian discussed how Siméon of Erevan, Catholicos of the Armenian Church from 1763 to 1780, reorganized the Holy See of Etchmiadzin, restored its spiritual authority, increased its wealth and political influence, and in 1771 established the first printing press at Etchmiadzin, the first ever in Armenia.

After assuming the leadership of the Church, Siméon gathered all the documents and manuscripts which were in the Etchmiadzin archives and, after examining them, wrote Jambr, Siméon’s term for “archival chamber.” Prof. George Bournoutian has just published the first English translation, with extensive annotations of this important work, as part of Mazda’s Armenian Studies Series.

Jambr begins with the history and apostolic origins of the Armenian Church and the construction of the Holy See of Etchmiadzin. It describes the move of the Holy See from its original site to other locations, because of invasions and other uncertainties, and its final return from Cilicia to Etchmiadzin in 1441. This enormous work (some 500 pages on Bournoutian’s edition) provides a wealth of other information that might otherwise have been lost and is one of the most important primary sources on the history of the Armenian Church, as well as the history of Armenia under Muslim rule.

A question and answer period, as well as book signing followed this very informative and interesting lecture enjoyed by all those who were present.