THE RELIGIOUS MEANING OF THE
KATCHKARS AND RELATED HEALING POWERS
Khatchkars represent the eternal life through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The carved roses surrounding the cross mounted in the center of the slab symbolize the everlasting life. Thus, the Katchkars become a reminder of the eternal life after death through the unification with the savior Jesus Christ. Khatchkars symbolize a religious fervor and a great faith in Jesus Christ. As such, they became a protection instrument against evil and bad spirits and consequently gained in the mind of the population a supra-natural and divine healing power. It is well-known that, deeply religious Armenians, strongly believe in the divine power of the Katchkars, and in the protection they provide against catastrophes, illness, bad luck, droughts and earthquakes. Armenians are very religious. For centuries, they were the defenders of Christianity. Thanks to the Armenians, Georgians and Greeks, Christianity survived in Anatolia, Asia Minor and the Middle East. Armenia is the first CHRISTIAN EMPIRE.
THE BLESSED
IRON CHANDELIER UNDER THE DOME OF GUYANEH CHURCH.
MYTH, FICTION OR REALITY?
YOU FIGURE IT OUT! Just under the
dome of Guyaneh church, there is an iron chandelier (designed as a ring of
doves) that occupies an honorable place in the history of Armenian religious
folklore and traditions of Christian Armenia. Legend has it that the center
point directly located below the dome of the church that coincides with the
center of the iron chandelier is the location where a stream of bright light
taking the shape of a cross appeared to Grigor in his visions. The light
emanating from that center revealed to Grigor the exact location of
Guyaneh's relics. The legend ads the apparition of another bright white
light which emerged from the location where Hripsimeh was buried situated
directly below the center of the dome. That center point is believed by
church workers and artisans to possess healing powers capable of curing
diseases and illnesses. They ascertained that many terminally ill patients
and church’s visitors who had seizures and incurable diseases were cured
instantly upon passing under the chandelier. Others who are less than
believers claimed that indeed, they did feel a sort of energy beams
slightly touching their bodies upon standing for a few seconds directly
under the chandelier. Believe it or not! The same thing goes for the
Katchkars. The older Armenian generation firmly believes that those carved
stones possess an enormous healing power granted by God himself.