What does it mean to be an Armenian? What values do we represent?
Being an Armenian means to live according to certain values and to keep alive the traditions that promote these values.
Armenians are an ancient people with rich culture, achievements, but also who have endured and survived centuries of persecution. We believe our identity today is reflected by the following values:
Love/Appreciation: Love is best demonstrated in the myth of King Ara Ghegetsik (Ara the Hansom), who gave his life for his family and country, instead of accepting the offer of the queen Semiramis of Babylon to marry her and together rule the world.
Note, that Appreciation is added here too. As in order to love you first should know how to appreciate.
Justice/Honesty: This value is epitomized by the Armenian Genocide of 1915. It has become our national identity, our obsession, to achieve justice. Justice not only for Armenians but for all people who suffer from such horrific events. Each of us probably has a subconscious conviction to do whatever is necessary to prevent future genocides on this planet. Note, that Honesty is added here too. As if you do dishonest things to achieve the justice it will defeat the purpose and will be a short lived one.
Respect/Understanding: During one of the frequent cycles of war with Persia, our queen was captured and tortured to death. Shortly after, we won the battle and captured the Shah's entire harem. But we treated the women with dignity and returned them unharmed. Despite our anger, more than 1,500 years ago, we did not resort to the barbaric practices of our that time Persian enemy. While not all Armenians today live by these values, we want to focus on those values that are worth living by and living for: Love, Justice, and Respect! Note, that Understanding is added here too. As in order to Respect you first should Understand.
