Arek Kahkedjian tour guide native to the old city of Jerusalem
Arekov@hotmail.com
After five years of renovation and nearly 30 years of closure, the Armenian Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem has reopened the “Edward and Helen Mardigian” Museum. An opening ceremony was held on Oct. 23 at the Museum’s premises in the Armenian Quarter in Jerusalem’s Old City.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Patriarch of the Armenian Orthodox Church of Jerusalem, Jordan and the Holy Land, Nourhan Manougian, several dignitaries and diplomatic representatives, and the Vicar of the Custody of the Holy Land, Br. Ibrahim Faltas. The Patriarch thanked the Mardigian family for their generous donation that enabled first the foundation and then the restoration of the museum.
TZOGHIG KARAKASHIAN
Museum director
“One of the most important features of the museum’s restoration is this mosaic floor that was found in the Musrara neighborhood of Jerusalem by digging under a house. It came from an Armenian church dating back to the 6th century. More recently, it was transferred here as it belonged to the Armenians.”
The mosaic, found in 1894, is decorated with vine shoots, the tree of life, and contains various birds. As the Armenian-language inscription reads, the mosaic is dedicated to the “memory and salvation of all Armenians whose names God knows.”
A French team specialized in museum design created the new roofing for the inner courtyard, which is often prone to flooding in rainy weather.
ANTOINE FRANCIS YADI
Architect – Jerusalem
“The thing that has developed in the building is the roof, which was not included in the design, for thermal and acoustic insulation.”
The renovation of the museum involved rebuilding the entire electrical and mechanical infrastructure. Intelligent systems for temperature control, lighting and surveillance were introduced.
The exhibition itinerary was also reorganized to tell the story of the Armenian presence in the Holy Land. Two historians collaborated on the content.
TZOGHIG KARAKASHIAN
Museum director
“The upper floor of the museum preserves the memory of the Armenian orphans who came to the Holy Land in 1915 through Deir el-Zor. Until recently, 18,000 Armenians lived here, including 650 orphans, whose names and dates of birth are all documented.”
The museum’s collections were formed largely from gifts brought by Armenian pilgrims who visited the Holy Land between the 17th and 18th centuries. The Armenian presence has been strongly present in the Holy Land throughout history.
TZOGHIG KARAKASHIAN
Museum director
“On the first floor we find the story of the history of Armenians before the birth of Christ to the present day. We Armenians came here with the emperor of Armenia, Tigrane the Great in the first century B.C.”
Melisenda, daughter of an Armenian princess, was the first queen of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem. During her reign many churches were built in the Holy Land. The Armenian Genocide was the most important event in Armenian history in the modern era.
TZOGHIG KARAKASHIAN
Museum director
“Those who forget the past do not renew the present. We teach every child about genocide. My daughter is 20 years old and knows the history of the genocide and who our family members killed there are.
From mid-November, everyone will be able to learn more about the history of the Armenian presence and its heritage in the Holy Land by visiting the “Edward and Helen Mardigian” Museum.
Should you wish to support me and my videos please subscribe to my channel and let me guide you through the Holy Land via my videos. In this way, I will be able to continue to do my work of uploading to YouTube. Upon your request and in return I am very much happy to pray for you at the Western Wall and/or light a candle in your name at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre or anywhere else in the Holy Land of Israel.
Should you have a personal request I will be more than happy to respond and even film it in a personal video.
Support and purchase of goods from the Holy Land: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/zahishaked
Support using PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/zahishaked?fbclid=IwAR2RxU5bvJcA5UzxpzC28C480v9towo77GN60VuRZRR02M5Duycmh2UWYcI
Kindly share this site with your other friends/family that are interested in the rich and sacred history of Israel.
Thank you so much
Your tour guide
Zahi Shaked
https://www.facebook.com/zahishakedisraelitourguide
https://www.instagram.com/zahi_shaked_israeli_tour_guide/
https://linktr.ee/zahishakedtourguide?fbclid=IwAR1Xad1mAX7Hzcvp2aXJO-t1q0chntMrdAEXlG0NdT5mFSNQIWmwUOHy8fo