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Go ahead, destroy this race.

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose history is ended, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, whose literature is unread, whose music is unheard, whose prayers are no longer uttered.

Go ahead, destroy this race. Let us say that it is again 1915. There is war in the world. Destroy Armenia. See if you can do it. Send them from their homes into the desert. Let them have neither bread nor water. Burn their houses and their churches. See if they will not live again. See if they will not laugh again. See if the race will not live again when two of them meet in a beer parlor, twenty years after, and laugh, and speak in their tongue. Go ahead, see if you can do anything about it. See if you can stop them from mocking the big ideas of the world, you sons of bitches, a couple of Armenians talking in the world, go ahead and try to destroy them.”

by William Saroyan

from Inhale & Exhale (1936)

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Armenian Prayers

Armenian words in English letters

The Lord’s Prayer
Hayr Mer, vor hergines yes,
soorp yeghitsi anoon ko.
Yegestse arkayootyoon ko.
Yeghitsin gamk ko
vorbes hergines yev hergri.
Ez-hats mer hanabazort
dour mez aysor.
Yev togh mez ezbardis mer,
vorbes yev mek toghoomk merots bardabanats.
Yev mee danir ezmez ee portsootyoon,
ayl pergya ee charen.
Zee ko eh arkayootyoon
yev zorootyoon
yev park havidyanes.
Amen.

Prayer for Wisdom
Eemasdootyoon Hor Hisoos,
Door eents eemasdootyoon,
Ezparis khorhel yev khosel yev kordzel
Arachi ko hamenayn jam.
Ee char khorhertots, ee panits
Yev ee kordzots pergya zees.
Yev voghormya ko araradzots yev eents pazmameghis.

Before Travelling/Sleeping
Bahaban amenayni Krisdos
Ach ko hovani litsi ee vera eem
Ee deve yev ee kisheri,
Ee nesdil ee dan,
Ee ken ee janabarh
Ee nenchel yev ee harnel,
Zee mee yerpek sasanetsayts.
Yev voghormya ko araradzots
Yev eents pazmameghis.

Prayer of Thanksgiving
Kohootyun yev park Kezee meeshd dank
Too vor tashdee dzagheegeen
Yev yergeenkee trchooneen
Snoont goodas adeneen.
Shnorhnert, ov Hayr,
Geh vayelenk har,
Asdvadz parerar,
Park kez antatar.
Amen.

Prayer Before Meals
Hayr mer… Jashagestsook khaghaghootyamp ezgeragoores,
vor badrasdyal eh mez ee Dyarneh.
Orhnyal eh Der ee barkeves yoor.
Amen.

Thanksgiving After Meals
Park Geragroghin di-yezerats,
vor ezmez gerageryats yev liatsooyts.
Nma park havidyanes.
Amen.

Translated to English words

The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the Kingdom
and the power
and the glory forever.
Amen.

Prayer for Wisdom
O Jesus, wisdom of the Father,
Grant me wisdom, That I may,
at all times, think, speak and do
before Thee that which is good in Thy sight.
And save me from evil thoughts, words and deeds.
Have mercy upon Thy creatures,
and upon me, great sinner that I am.

Before Travelling/Sleeping
O Christ, Guardian of all Creatures,
Let Thy right hand
be a shadow over me day and night,
Tarrying at home and travelling,
Sleeping and rising,
That I may never fail.
Have mercy upon Thy creatures,
And upon me great sinner that I am.

Prayer of Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving and glory
We will give You always.
You give nourishment
To the flowers of the valley,
And to the birds in the sky.
We always enjoy Your Graces,
Dear Father, Beneficient God.
Glory to You, forever.
Amen.

Prayer Before Meals
Our Father… In peace let us eat this food
which the Lord has provided for us.
Blessed be the Lord in His gifts.
Amen.

Thanksgiving After Meals
Let us give thanks and glory
to the nourisher of the universe
who didst nourish and fill us.
To him be glory forever.
Amen.