Jambr (Archival Chamber)

Siméon of Erevan, was the Kat`oghikos, that is, the Supreme Patriarch, of the Armenian Church, from 1763 to 1780. He reorganized the Holy See of Ejmiatsin, restored its spiritual authority, and increased its wealth and political influence. In 1771, Siméon not only established the first printing press at Ejmiatsin, the first ever in Armenia, but built a paper mill as well. In addition, he also wrote a number of religious and historical works, and prepared a Church calendar. After assuming the leadership of the Church, Siméon gathered all the documents and manuscripts which were at the archives of the Holy See at Ejmiatsin, and after examining them wrote Jambr, Siméon’s term for “archival chamber.” Jambr begins with the history and apostolic origins of the Armenian Church and the construction of the Holy See of Ejmiatsin. It describes the move of the Holy See from its original site to other locations, because of invasions and other uncertainties, and its final return from Cilicia to Ejmiatsin in 1441. After detailing the lives of several of his predecessors, Siméon, citing the numerous deeds for land and other immovable properties, explains the jurisdiction of Ejmiatsin and lists the number of mills, hulling-mills, vineyards, houses, arable fields, pastures, streams, irrigation canals, and other properties belonging to the Holy See. He follows this with the summaries of royal and other official decrees from the Persian Shahs, Ottoman Sultans, and their governors. The last chapter lists the Armenian monasteries in the Erevan region with their jurisdiction and properties. Jambr is thus one of the most important primary sources on the history of the Armenian Church, as well as the history of Armenia under Muslim rule.