As such it was adopted by the Armenian Church and to date can be admired on top of the altars of Armenian Churches. Later, during the creation of the Armenian Alphabet (405 A.D.), Mesrob Mashtots incorporated it into the Armenian alphabet and gave it a sacred place as the 7th letter of the alphabet. The sign itself was known for it’s use by Mithraic priests in pre-Christian Armenia. The earliest attestation of the sign has been found on petroglyphs in Metsamor, Armenia (see pictures below) and has been dated to 3.000 BCE. This curious sign “Է” as seen in the picture is the 7th letter of the Armenian alphabet and has a very interesting history. Those familiar with Armenian Churches might have come across a mysterious sign on top of the main altar on numerous occasions. Sign on a marble Khatchkar (Cross Stone) in the Holy Etchmiadzin.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |