History of Armenia, by Father Michael Chamich; from B. C. 2247 to ...

INTRODUCTION
/ 1^
C3,^E:
This valuable work by Father Michael Chamich, a
member of the Mekhitarist Brotherhood and a great
authority on Armenian history, was translated in 1827
by Johannes Avdall, a British citizen of Armenian
origin. In compiling this historical account, Father
Chamich was following in the footsteps of Movses
Khorenatzi, Armenia's first historian, whose pioneer
work covered the period from the Creation to 5th
Century A.D.
What is most remarkable about this volume, perhaps, is
not only the scope and detail of Armenian history
which it covers (2247 B.C. to 1780 A.D., with an appended
historical update by Mr. Avdall), but also the
translator's objective: "to excite in the breasts of
Christians of every denomination a feeling of
sympathy for the fate of my oppressed country, and
rouse the dormant embers of patriotism in the bosoms
of my expatriated countrymen to exert all their power
for the regeneration of Armenia."
In many ways, these words are as true today as they
were when they were written. We have only to look at
the unfortunate circumstances of the beleagured
Armenian region of Artzakh (Karabagh), which at this
writing is under the control of the Azerbaijan SSR,
whose people are akin to those who perpetrated the
Genocide of almost 2 million Armenians in Turkey in
the early 20th Century.
This book, therefore, should not only be read from the
viewpoint of historical curiosity but also for the
underlying expression of Armenian love and faith that
motivated Father Chamich to write it and Mr. Avdall to
translate
it.
Archbishop Torkom Manoogian
Primate, Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
1990