About two years ago, I had the opportunity to examine and record the tombstones of three of the Armenian communities of Moldova, including the Holy Cross Church, the St. Simeon Church, the Zamka Monstery and Hatchkatar Monastery of Sucaeva. Afterwards, I had the opportunity to examine and record the tombstones and memorials of the St. Mary and Holy Trinity Churches of Botoshan and the St. Mary Church of Fokshan, the complete publication of which will serve as material for another book. The tombstones and memorials located in the yard of the St. Mary Church of Jas are also important, and I have recorded and deciphered them in their entirety. The tombstones of the other communities aren’t very valuable in terms of their antiquity and inscriptions, but in any case, I have also included them in the book. Let us add that we carried out these efforts at the cemetery of Bucharest where dozens of old tombs are preserved to this day.

Generally speaking, the tombstones preserved in Romania are different in terms of volume. Some have short inscriptions and show the name and date of death of the deceased, while others feature words of appraisal of the deceased.

Some of the tombstones are decorated with the Tree of Life, or white lilies, grape vines and grapes, and all of them portray a cross. There are tombs that are decorated with the two-headed eagle. There are quite a lot of tombstones that bear the first letter of the Jewish word “Emmanuel”, meaning the letter “E, which means “God to us” (God with us).

The following is written on the right side of the belfry of the Holy Trinity Church of Botosan: “Tr Ysi pashtonea leal, tr Avetis verakocheal Parkhutarean makanuaneal” (19 February 1814). The coif of a priest is sculpted on the top and right in the middle of the tombstone, censures on both sides, a little below, one chalice and a cross, and in the middle of these two-a Bible, showing the words “Yeli I Hore Eki ys. Drdzl tghm yev yertam ar Hayr”. The mausoleum of a priest is preserved within the cemetery of the St. Mary Church of Foksan. A helmet, an ephod and parts of the clothing of a priest are sculpted within the flowery frame on the frontal. The year is illegible, and the tomb reads “Adreanopolsetsi T. Stepanin”, pertaining to Stepan.

Before the 17^th century, the inscriptions of several tombstones were located on the four edges, and there were various decorations in the middle, usually herbal. After the 17^th century, the inscriptions were in the middle of the stone, and the decorations were on the edges. Generally, the tombstones were of great quality and were made from marble, and the work was a work of art. These marble stones had been brought from Constantinople, without any writing.

The inscriptions on the tombstones were in grabar, except for a few. As for the dates, they are carved in Armenian and Arabic numerals. Several tombstones have been used to renovate churches and monasteries. And so, there are four old tombstones placed on the door of the belfry of the Holy Cross Church of Sucaeva, another four are placed on the northern and southern walls of the same church, and two more are placed in front of the basin for baptism at St. Simeon Church.

Two old tombstones have been preserved near the High Altar of the St. Mary Church of Botosan, and there are four tombstones in front of the table and on the left-wing door of the right-wing cabinet of the Holy Trinity Church.

Unquestionably, there have been more tombstones that are older and have featured special records, but over time, they have disappeared or have been covered with moss.

Abbot of the St. Mary Monastery of Akhtala

Fr. Priest Hetum Tarverdyan

Source: Hayern Aysor