What is the purpose of a khachkar?
Most early khachkars were erected for the salvation of the soul of either a living or a deceased person. Otherwise they were intended to commemorate a military victory, the construction of a church, or as a form of protection from natural disasters.
What is the meaning of the Armenian cross?
The resurrection of Jesus, however, and the persecution of the early Armenian Christians, transformed the cross into an image of soteriological victory: an emblem of triumph over the mortal vale.
What religion are Armenians?
As of 2011, most Armenians are Christians (97%) and are members of Armenia’s own church, the Armenian Apostolic Church, which is one of the oldest Christian churches. It was founded in the 1st century AD, and in 301 AD became the first branch of Christianity to become a state religion.
What does the Armenian cross look like?
An Armenian cross is a symbol that combines a cross with a floral postament or elements. In the Armenian Christianity it was 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.
What is Mountains Beyond Mountains about?
Mountains Beyond Mountains Summary. In 1994, the journalist Tracy Kidder travels to Haiti to report on the country’s military coup. There, Kidder sees Paul Farmer, a highly respected doctor and humanitarian worker, negotiate with the American military on behalf of his Haitian patients.
What is khachkar and why is it unique?
As Hambartsumyan shares, ‘Khachkar is a prayer, khachkar is a sacrifice, khachkar is our ancestors, khachkar is our identity.’ Connecting both the past and the present, the khachkar continues to watch over the world’s oldest Christian nation, making this unique art form a true Armenian cornerstone.
Is there a study guide for Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder?
Welcome to the LitCharts study guide on Tracy Kidder’s Mountains Beyond Mountains. Created by the original team behind SparkNotes, LitCharts are the world’s best literature guides. A concise biography of Tracy Kidder plus historical and literary context for Mountains Beyond Mountains.
Why Mountains Beyond Mountains by Paul Farmer?
“ Mountains Beyond Mountains unfolds with a force of gathering revelation,” says Annie Dillard, and Jonathan Harr notes, “ [Paul Farmer] wants to change the world. Certainly this luminous and powerful book will change the way you see it.” Six years after the fact, Dr. Paul Edward Farmer reminded me, “We met because of a beheading, of all things.”