Learn about the history of Jinishian
The traditional homeland of the Armenians has been in the mountainous and agricultural areas of the Caucasus (former Soviet Union) and Anatolia (modern-day Turkey). Their history has been characterized by successive periods of conflict and relative peace, occupation and independence, persecution and resilient recovery.
In the late 19th century and early 20th century, nearly 1.5 million Armenians perished in the Turkish and Ottoman Empire, the result of genocide attributed to the Turks. That most Turks dispute these facts is the principal reason for continuing enmity and distrust between many Turks and Armenians, who are both ancient and contemporary neighbors. Due to dispersion caused by this post-World War I genocide and deportation, Armenians can be found today on all continents. The Republic of Armenia came to present-day independence in 1991, at the time of the demise of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). Its capital is Yerevan.
Armenians have been Christian for more than 1,700 years, although administratively divided into two autonomous churches, the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox of Etchmiadzin and of Antelias, Lebanon. The acknowledged spiritual head of the ancient Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church is His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos and Supreme Head of All Armenians, resident at the Holy See of Etchmiadzin, Republic of Armenia. Significant numbers of Armenian Catholics and Armenian Evangelicals are present in the Republic of Armenia and especially in the diaspora.
The Jinishian Memorial Program (JMP) has operated in the Middle East since 1967 and in the Republic of Armenia since 1994. Prior to the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s, JMP programs were active in those two countries.
In the 35th year after its founding by Vartan H. Jinishian and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Jinishian Memorial Program (JMP) published a brief historical account of its own origins and the resulting humanitarian and spiritual work among Armenians as an ecumenical relief and development agency. “Serving the Least of These” by Sylvia Casberg Guinn-Ammons, published in 2001, is available to order free of charge or you may download a printable online version. You may order a copy by calling (888) 728-7228 x5293.
