Armenian Manifesto: Identity and Ethics of an Armenian
This Manifesto serves as a guide for an Armenian on how to begin the journey of returning to oneself, to stand up and move forward, what to do right now, and what to do later. Throughout our history, no one has shown us the way or left us instructions—only dreams were spoken of, while we were urged and even forced to believe in ideologies foreign to us, abandoning what is original and time-tested. The only exception is the hero of the Armenian nation, Garegin Ter-Arutyunyan, but unfortunately, he too did not have time to leave systematic, practical advice.
No one has written works that specify what exactly a compatriot should do, but instead, they painted pictures of the future, called for vengeance, or cursed the enemy. Do such works have practical value? That is for each person to decide.
We have analyzed the centuries-old experience of our ancestors, studied their writings, assessed the current state of affairs, and developed ideological foundations that should provide an answer to the most important and difficult question for an Armenian—one that our ancestors never answered: “What should be done?”.
Thus, by founding the “Ashkharazhokhov” movement, we declare the beginning of a journey back to our roots, back to ourselves, to our home, to our natural “I” — purified from the foreign, unnatural, and forcibly imposed.
“Ashkharazhokhov” is the path of returning to a sense of self-respect, faith in God, faith in one’s compatriot, in one’s nation, and in one’s country.
Only by uniting faith in God, faith in ourselves, and knowledge will we gain true strength and confidence. Together, we will be able to revive the lost spirit of national unity, the feeling of standing shoulder to shoulder with a fellow Armenian brother, and the sense of having the support of an Armenian sister.
Only by conquering ourselves can we overcome all that is foreign and imposed within the Armenian home. Only by awakening Hayk and Mher within us can we restore the lineage of the victorious Armenian—the master of land and sea, sky and the biblical peaks!
We begin our return by reassessing values, tearing down the cult of consumerism and conformism, and instead raising to the pedestal faith, mutual respect, and the spirit of a victor, as well as reverence for our native language and traditions, which we will defend with a collective fist, relying on knowledge and modern technology.
On the path back to ourselves, we must go through repentance and the rejection of easy ways, through awakening from spiritual laziness and the renunciation of self-deception and naivety, especially in politics; we must abandon irresponsibility towards our country, lies, deceitful flattery, empty praise, meaningless hypocrisy, fabricated heroes, and the pursuit of sinful, senseless, and ultimately self-destructive material accumulation.
The return to oneself lies through the severe punishment of traitors and political adventurers who have repeatedly plunged us into historical catastrophe. It is a return through the eradication of corruption and the cessation of the endless bargaining of values, a return through the formation of a new elite—one that genuinely expresses the aspirations and thoughts of the Armenian people.
We are beginning the National Book of Heroes and the National Book of Traitors, preserving the history of past figures while also documenting the deeds of contemporary individuals—for the time has come to draw conclusions and make personal decisions.
To live in justice—this has been the eternal dream of the Armenian people. But our ancestors did not fight for this Armenian dream as a fundamental value; they merely believed in it or pleaded for it, losing everything in the process—land, strength, and the respect due to our nation. Therefore, we return to the concepts of military honor and courage, where, if necessary, the sound of battle steel and the valiant cry of the 21st-century fedayee will once again become our anthem!
Starting today, we embark on the path of forming a unified HAYK—the nation-army, the nation-party—for we have no separate goals or objectives. There is only one mission: to preserve our physical existence and our material and spiritual heritage for the sake of a future nationwide prayer at the foot of Holy Ararat and on the shores of Holy Van. And we will reach it!
We reject the destructive philosophy of division among ourselves based on regional, tribal, religious, dialectal, or family principles, place of residence, or socioeconomic status. We leave such divisions to folklore and put an end to intra-national conflict, isolating those who attempt to drag us into this abyss once again.
We are one nation, though temporarily divided, with the vast majority forced to live outside the Homeland, becoming sub-ethnic groups and partially forgetting our native language—but we are awakening!
WE ARE RETURNING!
“To return to the Homeland and reclaim it for oneself is possible only through spiritual self-development.”
— From the book “The Armenian Dream” by Sarkis Tsaturyan.
Definitions
Ethnos (Greek: ἔθνος – “people”) – A historically formed community united by traditions, language, culture, and sometimes a shared territory. An ethnos is characterized by a mythologeme about its origin and a distinct ethnic self-consciousness—a sense of belonging to the ethnos, awareness of its unity, and its simultaneous distinction from other ethnic groups.
People (Nation in a cultural sense) – A linguistic, ideological, and cultural community formed through long-term cohabitation. There are more than 2,000 peoples in the world.
Nation (Political Nation) – Ethnic communities that, having originated in the tribal era, develop to the level of a nation-state or political nation. Not all ethnic communities evolve into a nation.
Nationality – Belonging to a particular nation or state; nationality is a derivative concept of a nation.
Humanity – A diverse community of ethnic groups and cultures.
ARMENIAN IDENTITY
“To be born Armenian is an honor. To live as an Armenian is a struggle. To die an Armenian is victory.”
— Catholicos of All Armenians Vazgen I Palchyan.
Armenians are the indigenous inhabitants of the Armenian Highlands, descendants of Hayk, the great-grandson of Japheth, one of the three sons of the prophet Noah, whose ark came to rest on Mount Ararat after the Great Flood.
An Armenian is a native of the Armenian Highlands (or their descendant who identifies as such), acknowledges all 15 provinces (ashkhars) of Greater Armenia, and actively participates in the preservation and development of the civilizational unity of the Armenian people.
A bearer of an Armenian surname who identifies as Armenian, whether or not they speak the Armenian language, but who lacks a sense of connection with their historical homeland and compatriots, is the target of our educational movement. We must engage with them patiently, working to help them regain their national consciousness.
The Ashkharazhokhov Movement advocates for the preservation of linguistic, cultural-religious, and ethnic identity as essential and fundamental aspects of Armenian existence, alongside other forms of identity, including civic identity for Armenians living abroad.
Armenian identity is an indivisible unity of ethnic and religious identity, unlike, for example, in the Muslim world, where religious identity supersedes national identity. In the case of an Armenian, these two identities are harmoniously and inseparably intertwined.
Our compatriots who hold different beliefs or belong to other Christian denominations are our brothers and sisters—we are all descendants of the same ancestor.
ARMENIAN WORLDVIEW AND ETHICS
“Noah’s Ark, which came to rest at the foot of Ararat, bestowed upon Armenians a special mission—to cherish the new life granted after the Flood through an uncompromising struggle against evil and lawlessness”. — From the book “The Armenian Dream” by Sarkis Tsaturyan.
An Armenian perceives the world through:
Reverence for the Divine Light, the Earth, and Water, as well as a deep love for the fullness of life;
Being in a state of creation and craftsmanship (ararchel), regardless of their occupation;
A deeply personal, hard-earned understanding of good and justice;
A yearning for the Creator, as the inquisitive Armenian mind competes with the untamed spirit of the Armenian soul;
Reverence for ancestors—father and mother;
Living for the sake of one’s children;
A profound sense of justice and balance, both in words and deeds;
Sincerity with oneself; to be rather than to appear; essence over form;
Acting in accordance with dignity, self-respect, integrity, honesty, and loyalty, with full awareness of responsibility for one’s words and actions, for one’s family, and for one’s country;
Striving for a prosperous home and a well-earned livelihood;
Rejecting materialistic accumulation and ostentatious consumption;
Understanding wealth not just as material gain, but as a combination of mutual respect, sincerity, and warm human relationships, which always come first; when it comes to spending, it means participating in socially significant projects and engaging in volunteerism.
An Armenian is someone who values ancestry, dignity, and faith above personal gain, who chooses honor before wealth, and only then seeks prosperity.
WAR
From the Armenian National Epic “David of Sassoun”,
Chapter 33 – “War”
Brighter than the lightning storm,
In the hands of the sons of Keri Toros,
Blades shine, and Keri Toros himself,
Like an ancient Colossus,
Thrusts forward with his chest and shoulders,
Crushing the enemy with his bare hands,
Breaking them over his knee and upon the rocks,
Striking with mace and sword.
“What is it, Nana? Wipe your tears!
I am strong again, alert and ready!
I go forth, in fair battle,
To strike off Melik-Msra’s head!”.
Chapter 36 – “The Death of Melik”
The steel blade soared high above,
And upon the palaces of Melik,
Came the wrath of three attacks.
The sword, like lightning, tore through the darkness
With the roar of thunder!
Regardless of place of birth, residence, faith, or dialect, it is the honor, duty, and obligation of every Armenian to serve their people, uphold their dignity, and defend the land of their ancestors, as well as the spiritual and material heritage of Armenia.
With fearlessness, full readiness, and righteous fury, every Armenian must confront those who enter the land of Ararat with weapons and treacherous intentions.
To fight for one’s homeland, for loved ones, for the honor of one’s country, and for Holy Ararat—this is true happiness. On the battlefield, never fear the enemy—they are only as strong as your own weakness allows them to be.
A truly prepared enemy will not dare to fight.
In the thunder of battle, let the clash of steel and the crushing blows be your anthem and prayer. Let your indomitable warrior spirit rise in collective prayer before the graves of your ancestors, sealed with the ancient war dance.
Remember: The most dangerous enemy is the one within you. Defeat him, and you will conquer all others.
SELF-PERFECTION IN FAITH AND RIGHTEOUS INTENT
“True knowledge and understanding of God are attained through faith. Through the heavens and the earth, one discovers their Creator, becoming a disciple of His will and a companion of His path”. — Mesrop Mashtots
Strive for a moral life and good health—achieve both physical and spiritual perfection.
Work on self-improvement, strengthen your spirit in memory of your ancestors and through the lessons of history.
Know that a people without a homeland have no future—no one respects a nation that has lost its land.
Follow the principle: “Faith is greater than knowledge.” This way, you will master any discipline.
Develop a balanced temperament, control your emotions, and master self-discipline.
Be courageous, composed, rational, and just.
Maintain your dignity and preserve the traditions of your people.
Learn and teach your culture—never sever your bond with the Armenian soul.
NATURE
“The Creator made everything beautiful and good so that through the surrounding beauty, man may understand the divine beauty and goodness”. — Mesrop Mashtots
An Armenian must live in harmony with nature—awaken the dormant forces of the native land, for the strength of the Armenian spirit is nourished by its soil, water, and sun. Draw upon their power every morning as you rise.
Break free from comfort, explore the mountains, valleys, and caves of your homeland—for in times of fateful struggle, the land itself will be your strongest ally.
The call of the ancestral land, the light of the Armenian sun, the purity of mountain rivers, the mighty megaliths and colossal peaks, the golden apricot, the crimson pomegranate, the winds and the magic of the starlit sky above Ararat — this is our heritage.
We are entrusted to preserve and pass it on unchanged.
Protect the flora and fauna of Armenia — care for it as you would your own home.