Can anyone translate this? Possibly 19th century from Armenia.

by AvgMilesPerGallon

This medallion belongs to a friend and was passed down to her from her grandmother. Can anyone translate what is written on it? It is believed to be Armenian in origin and from the 19th century.

http://imgur.com/a/u43yS

Thank you!

markarmenia

It says "surb Vardan" which means Saint or Holy Vardan referencing Vardan Mamikonian. The reverse side says "es im masis sarn em sirum" which means I love my Masis Mountain referencing Mount Ararat.

Juck

it's Vardan Mamikonian an armenian military leader , and the mount ararat ( massis ) , below the moutain it's written "ես իմ Մասիս սա՛րն եմ սիրում" ( my love for the massis mountain) , it's from Yeghishe Charents's 1920 poem "I Love My Armenia" .

ar_david_hh

Surb Vardan - Saint Vardan

Yes im Massis sarn em sirum - I love my Mount Massis [Ararat]