03 02 2009 - DR. GEORGE BOURNOUTIAN TO DISCUSS ECHMIADZIN ARCHIVES AT ARARAT-ESKIJIAN MUSEUM

Dr. George Bournoutian will give a lecture and book signing in connection with the publication of his most recent work, a translation of Catholicos Simeon’s Jambr (Archival Chamber), on Sunday, February 22, at 4:00 p.m., at the Ararat-Eskijian Museum, 15105 Mission Hills, CA 91343. The lecture will be cosponsored by the Museum and the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR).
Jambr is the first English translation of a rich source of materials assembled in the 18th century by Catholicos Simeon of Yerevan. Simeon gathered all the documents and manuscripts which were in the Echmiadzin archives and, after examining them, put together Jambr, Siméon’s term for “archival chamber.” Prof. Bournoutian’s translation is enriched with extensive annotations and has just been published as part of Mazda’s Armenian Studies Series. NAASR provided funds towards the publication of this volume.
Volume Preserved Vital Historical Documents
Jambr begins with the history and apostolic origins of the Armenian Church and the construction of the Holy See of Echmiadzin. 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 Echmiadzin in 1441. This enormous work (some 500 pages in 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.
Prof. George Bournoutian is the author or translator of numerous other books, including A Concise History of the Armenian People, Two Chronicles on the History of Karabagh, The Travel Accounts of Simeon of Poland, and Tigran II and Rome. He is Senior Professor of History at Iona College and has taught Armenian history at Columbia University, Tufts University, New York University, Rutgers University, the University of Connecticut, Ramapo College, and Glendale Community College.
More information about Bournoutian’s lecture may be had by contacting NAASR at 617-489-1610, e-mailing hq@naasr.org, or by writing to NAASR, 395 Concord Ave., Belmont, MA 02478; or the Ararat-Eskijian Museum at 818-838-4862 or e-mailing aem@ararat-eskijian-museum.com.

Belmont, MA
February 2, 2009

Marc A. Mamigonian
Director of Academic Affairs
National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR)
395 Concord Ave.
Belmont, MA 02478
Tel.: 617-489-1610
www.naasr.org

Marc A. Mamigonian