World history is rich in events: civilizations have changed, peoples have appeared and disappeared from the face of the Earth, states have been formed and collapsed. Most modern nationalities were formed by the 1st millennium of our era. The article will discuss the history of relations between two ancient ethnic groups: Armenians and Russians.
Relationship History
The first written mentions of the Armenians who settled in Ancient Russia date back to the 10-11th century. As early as the 9th century, close trade and cultural ties were established with Byzantium, which was ruled by representatives of the Armenian dynasty (867-1056).
The earliest community of Armenians was formed in Kyiv. In the 9th century, they actively participated in the economic, commercial and cultural life of the city, in addition, Armenians and Russians jointly defended it from external enemies.
Even in the 9th century, the Slavs served under the Byzantine emperors as mercenary warriors, where they adopted Christianity and carried its traditions to their Fatherland.
It is known that the grandson of Grand Duchess Olga, Prince VladimirSvyatoslavovich, the baptist of Ancient Russia, was married to Princess Anna, a Byzantine princess.
From Kyiv, Armenians settled in other cities: Nizhny Novgorod, Vladimir-Suzdal, Smolensk.
The first written mention of the Armenian people in Moscow is found in the annals of the Moscow fire of 1390.
By the decree of Tsar Ivan IV, the Armenians were settled in the White City - this is part of Moscow, where they settled free people of foreign origin who enjoyed special benefits. In the 16th century, the Armenian merchants' court was located in Moscow near the Ilyinsky Gate.
After the division of Armenia between Iran and Turkey, the Armenian people were subjected to cruel oppression and religious persecution. People turned to Russia for help, which by that time was a strong state.
Since the 18th century, relations between Armenians and Russians have become strong and friendly. Russian tsars encouraged the activity and enterprise of Armenian merchants.
The diamond throne, which is now kept in the Kremlin in the Armory, was presented to Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich by Armenian merchants. It was made of expensive wood and upholstered in black velvet, silk and satin. Its decoration consists of 897 diamonds and 1298 pearls, amethysts, sapphires, topazes, turquoise, gold and silver.
Peter the Great made an attempt to free the Armenians from the oppression of the Persians and Turks. A military alliance was concluded between the Armenians and Russians. The tsar promised to help the people immediately after the end of the Northern War. He kept his promise and undertook the famous Caspian campaign, as a resultwhich Russian troops occupied Rasht, Derbent, Baku and a number of Caspian regions.
The liberation of Armenia was long and continued until the beginning of the 19th century (the war for Karabakh and Eastern Armenia). During this time, the friendship between the Russian and Armenian peoples has grown stronger, the wars have shown their cultural, spiritual and religious closeness, devotion and loy alty to each other.
450 thousand Armenians fought side by side with the Russians against fascism, 275 thousand of them died, more than 70 thousand Armenian front-line soldiers were awarded medals and orders, 103 soldiers were awarded the title of Hero of the USSR.
Thus, close political, military, economic, cultural and religious ties have developed between Armenia and Russia since ancient times. The Armenian diaspora plays a huge role in the development of Russian-Armenian relations.
Diaspora in Russia
According to the Union of Armenians in Russia, the diaspora in this country exceeds 2.5 million people. More than half of Armenians live in 3 regions of the Russian Federation: Rostov region, Stavropol, Krasnodar region.
After the collapse of the USSR, the number of Armenians in Russia increased dramatically due to refugees from Abkhazia, Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh, and Central Asia. About 700 thousand Armenians moved to Russia after the Spitak earthquake, the war with Azerbaijan.
Now the Armenians play an important role in the cultural, social and economic life of Russia, they are represented in the government, show business, art, science and other fields of activity. In 2000, the "Union of Armenians of Russia" was established in the country. Branches of itare actively working: building churches, restoring abandoned churches, opening Sunday schools, organizing national holidays, publishing newspapers and magazines.
Interesting facts
Armenian-Russian relations last for more than one century, here are some interesting facts about it:
- One of the government officials who took part in the process of liberalization and the abolition of serfdom in the Russian Empire was Loris-Melikov, an Armenian by origin.
- In the Shamkir region of Azerbaijan there is an Armenian village of Chardakhlu, which gave the USSR 2 marshals (Babajanyan, Baghramyan), six generals, 4 Heroes of the USSR. During the Great Patriotic War, 1250 people from the village went to the front, 853 were awarded orders and medals, 452 people died.
- The first written evidence of mercenary detachments of Armenian horsemen (Cossacks) dates back to the 14th century. According to these archives, the Armenians were part of a mercenary cavalry military force that guarded Tana from raids. At present, a council of chieftains of Cossack Armenian detachments operates in Armenia and Russia. They are united in the International Armenian-Cossack Union. In total, there are about 5 thousand Cossacks in Armenia, they are reservists of the troops of the Ministry of Defense of the country.
What Armenians think about Russians and Russia
The American company Pew Research Center conducted a sociological survey in Armenia in 2017. The topic was about what Armenians think about Russia without hypocrisy. The survey revealed that 79% of Armenians regret the collapse of the USSR. In addition, 80% of Armenians believe that Russia is a center for preserving traditionsOrthodox Christianity.
Mixed marriages: Armenian and Russian girl
It should be noted that mixed marriages are treated well in Armenia. Although recently, due to demographic problems in some families, they began to be perceived painfully. How happy and fulfilling are such marriages? Vladimir Mikaelyan, PhD in Psychology, Associate Professor of the Department of Social Psychology at Yerevan State University, believes that mixed marriages are a relationship between two cultures, and the closer people are to each other, the less problems there are in the union. For example, it is much easier for Christians, even of different nationalities, to find a common language and common ground.
In a marriage between an Armenian and a Russian, an important aspect is the willingness of the husband and wife to adapt to each other. It is necessary to cultivate an understanding in each spouse that marriage is a merger, that there are no accidental unions, each of them is made in heaven. And even if a marriage breaks up, it does not happen by chance. He will definitely teach people something.
Features of an Armenian man
What does it mean for a Russian woman to marry an Armenian? Armenian men are somewhat different from the Slavs.
Armenian men prefer not to talk, but to do. They are harsh only in appearance, behind their appearance are hidden gentle souls who know how to enjoy life and love.
Marriage with an Armenian is a strong family in which understanding and respect reign. Armenians treat women and elders with respect.
They create great and enduring marriages. The man in the family is the main one, but he is a loving, caring father and husband. He will work tirelessly so that his family does not need anything.
Armenians are reasonable, full of dignity and confidence. They appreciate kindness and peace, they know how to enjoy life.
