This prince, justly apprehensive from the victorious approach of the Turks, ravaged that part of Armenia which lay contiguous to his dominions, and ordered the inhabitants to retire into Persia. It will be perceived that these devastations were not intended to evince hostility against the Armenians, but to retard and embarrass the advance of the Turks. Encouraged by the monarch, the most opulent of the Armenians removed to Ispahan, where the Emperor appropriated a beautiful suburb for their residence, and permitted them to enjoy every civil and religious privilege, under the jurisdiction of their own bishop or patriarch. During the administration of this magnanimous prince these happy exiles partook the sweets of liberty and abundance, but his death was the signal for the triumph of their enemies. A storm of persecution succeeded, in which the constancy of multitudes was shaken; indeed, so general was the apostacy, that for a time it appeared probable that this branch of the Armenian Church would be lost. These apprehensions proved to be groundless. To the abatement of the rage of their enemies succeeded the restoration of their political rights. Their churches, in Ispahan and other Persian cities, that had been demolished, were rebuilt, and their schools, which had been shut, were re-opened. It is said that, at present, many of the most luxurious seats in Persia are occupied by opulent Armenians. In Bagdad and Damascus they vend the magnificent silks of Oriental manufacture, and preside over the creation of those exquisite fabrics that are the admiration of the world. In all these cities they have meeting-houses, with burial-grounds attached, in which flowers of rare beauty and exquisite odours are cultivated. In these burial-gardens, were it not for the presence of monumental marble, one would forget the contiguity of death and decay. The splendid palms, the glorious rose-trees, and the living song of birds, are anything but inspiring of melancholy thoughts.
The Bible was translated at a very early period into the Armenian language, but, in 1690, the call for the Scriptures became so great that the manuscript copies were not sufficient to supply the demand. To remedy this evil, it was decided by a council of Armenian bishops, assembled in 1692, to perpetuate and multiply that Holy Book, by the art of printing, of which they had heard in Europe. They first applied to France, but the Catholic church objected to printing and distributing the Bible. It was accomplished, however, through the agency of some Armenian merchants, who had settled, for purposes of commerce, at London, Venice, Amsterdam, and many other European cities. This Bible agrees in a wonderful manner with the English version of the Scriptures, to which it is not inferior in correctness of diction and beauty of typography. The religion of Armenia has derived few advantages from the power or learning of its votaries, but with the Bible in their native tongue, and being permitted to read and exercise their private judgment in its interpretation, it is not so very surprising that their church has remained uncontaminated by Grecian, Roman, and Mohammedan corruptions. It must not be supposed that the Roman pontiffs, ever zealous to enlarge the bounds of their jurisdiction, were mindless of engaging the Christians of the East to submit to their supremacy. On the contrary, this was for a considerable time the chief purpose that excited their ambitious views, and employed their labours and assiduities. But these attempts were unavailing, nor could any union between the churches ever be effected.
The residence of the Armenian patriarch is at Ekmiasin,—three leagues from Erivan. Forty-seven archbishops, of whom each may claim the obedience of four or five suffragans, are consecrated by his hand. Many of these, however, are only titular prelates, who dignify by their presence the simplicity of his court. Their performance of the liturgy is succeeded by their cultivation of the ground; and, unlike the prelates of Europe, the austerity of their life and the plainness of their appearance increases in just proportion to the elevation of their rank. Throughout the fourscore thousand villages of his spiritual empire, the patriarch receives the tribute of a small but voluntary tax from each individual above the age of sixteen years. But this income is not expended on luxurious living, being employed to supply the incessant demands of charity and tribute. The Indian caravan, laden with its precious commodities, usually halts in the vicinity of Erivan, which, through the influence of the wealth thus distributed, has become a splendid and beautiful city, adorned with fountains, groves, and splendid churches.
Besides the churches in Armenia proper, there are congregations of the same faith and forms of worship in Barbary, Egypt, Poland, Greece, and Turkey. They have churches also in nearly all the Oriental cities, between which a continual intercourse and communication is carried on by the travelling merchants or pedlars of that sect, who are distributed all over the East. Decidedly intelligent, and frequently adepts in Oriental literature, they are always found at the courts of the Eastern princes, where they act in the capacity of interpreters. Armenian ladies are generally chosen to fill the station of favourite, or companion, to the Sultanas.
The Armenian Christians are eminently qualified for the office of extending the knowledge of the gospel throughout the East; and the time is not far distant when they will prove the most efficient body of missionaries in the world. Indeed, without the name, in a multitude of instances, they have assumed their character and acted their part. It is true that they are unacquainted with the European habit of supporting expensive missions in foreign countries, but like the Waldenses, they travel as venders of merchandise, and embrace all opportunities to impart instruction.
They carried the knowledge of the gospel into China, when that country was inaccessible to Europeans; and long before the English obtained a footing in India, they had erected churches in all the principal cities of that empire, in which the worship of God was maintained upon every ensuing Sabbath. They are familiar with the Oriental languages, and acquainted with the habits of the people, who consequently feel no dread of their foreign character, but regard them from the first as brothers and friends. The first version of the Scriptures into the Chinese language was made by an Armenian, named Joannes Lassar, whose knowledge of Oriental literature was really surprising, and who was no less eminent for genuine and enlightened piety.
Their ecclesiastical establishment in Hindostan is very respectable. The bishop visits Calcutta, but he is not resident there. They have churches in Calcutta, in Madras, and in Bombay, which contain together about two thousand communicants. There are also churches in the interior. Of these they have one at Dacca, another at Syndbad, and a third at Chinsurah, that are large and flourishing. In these churches the greatest simplicity prevails, and everything accords with the apostolic character of the worshippers. No magnificent altar, blazing with gold and gems, no gorgeous candelabra, no exquisite creations of painting or statuary, no imposing ceremonies; neither genuflexions nor lustrations; neither instrumental harmonies, nor services performed with pompous parade and in an unknown tongue. The cross is the only ornament of their churches, accompanied with the Bible and the liturgy.
From these prayers and texts are read by the officiating priest, succeeded by an appropriate discourse, and the whole closes with singing a psalm much in the style and manner of an anthem.
Baptism, among the Armenians, is administered by immersion in rivers, or running streams, if such are convenient; when otherwise, in a room, called the baptistery, which is always contiguous to the church. They regard the sacrament as a memorial of the Saviour's passion,—nothing more,—and administer it in both kinds to the laity. They reject the observation of saints' days, or the festivals of Christ, but declare that God, in his word, ordained the seventh day as a day of rest, which they religiously observe.
The Armenians are not ignorant of the nature of experimental religion. Many individuals among them have exhibited examples of genuine and enlightened piety, and have expired in the triumphs of faith. Their moral character, as might be supposed, far exceeds that of any other Eastern people. The women are modest, dignified, and observant of their conjugal relations; the men are intelligent and affable. Their general character is that of a wealthy, industrious, and enterprising people. Their companionship is courted all over the East.