Ararat

ARARAT

by Elgin Groseclose

 

Award: National Book Winner 1939

 

Read: April 19, 2021

 

Among the shadows of the mountain Ararat, most known for the supposed landing place of Noah’s ark, massacre, joy, suffering and compassion flow by through the sifting years. Always in the background is the immovable Ararat.

 

In a duplicitous slaughter, the Armenians living in Turkey who survive the genocide flee to a small village in Russia named Bartzan, in the shadow of Ararat. Though living there for 13 years, they are never provided formal permission to occupy the land. As the community feels rejected and still without roots, many depart in search of more permanent and welcoming lands.’

 

The one person that constantly remains is Amos Lyle, an American missionary who dedicates his life to caring for orphaned children, the byproduct of constant war and strife. He takes as his own daughter the orphan Sirani who works tirelessly beside Lyle as she grows to assume more and more responsibility. The orphanage swells to over 4,000 children.

 

Wandering through his life is Paul Stepanovitch, a Russian soldier who discovers that his life is under threat as all military officers become during the Russian Revolution. Paul narrowly escapes but to an uncertain and aimless future. He seeks out a friend in Turkey, believing the while he will immigrate to America when he stumbles on two orphan girls that change the course of his life and ambition.

 

Learning of Lyle’s orphanage, he sets out to deliver the two girls to Lyle, knowing they will be in more capable hands. After returning again and again to Bartzan, Paul realizes that this humble ranch is as near to heaven that one can get on earth. He dedicates himself wholeheartedly to helping these orphans. The one thing he continually struggles with, however, is faith. While faith flows abundantly through Lyle and Sirani, now Paul’s wife, he has never been a true believer and finds himself ambivalent to the Bible verses, hymns and church attendance.

 

Yet in fleeing their sanctuary, Stepanovitch is finally able to look at all humanity with equanimity, feeling love and sorrow for all God’s creatures, even those who wish him harm. And in a last gasp of believing himself to be at the helm of this tribe of children and men, congratulating himself on their escape and every soul still alive, he realizes he owes his thanks and adoration to God. Yet, without his own insight and action, their community would be annihilated. The key to living in spiritual harmony with the divine is to realize and honor the bridge between the two.