My country of origin, Armenia, was the first country to nationally adapt Christianity as a religion, making it the first Christian country. When I was Christened, i was given a gold necklace in the shape of a cross symbolizing my Christian roots. Armenians have always been very heavily persecuted. Either under weak government, on the margins of an empire, or mass pillaged and then unjustly silenced for decades. Through all this alienation and adversity, they stayed true to their religion and preserved the traditions they practiced in the churches since they very first began to nationally practice. When my family migrated to America from Asia Minor and the Middle East, they came to Los Angeles, California and joined the large Middle Eastern community that resided there. From then on, they attended the local church that practiced their form of Christianity, sending their kids to religious Armenian schools and keeping them educated in the traditions from the old country. One of these traditions was giving newborns cross-featuring jewelry upon their christening. I am very proud of my Armenian heritage, even though I dont attend apostolic christian service. I wear my cross with a strong sense of identity. I was baptized in an apostolic armenian church in washington heights that I attended with my mother the first 3 years of my life. My cross is an important symbol of my heritage.

– Sevan

Relationship:  Grandchild of im/migrant Grandchild of im/migrant