Page:Journal of American Folklore vol. 12.djvu/116

 104 Journal of A??ierican Folk-Lore.

for them. Armenians never give fire from their hearths when it has but lately been lighted, since it would be bad luck to do so. How- ever, when it has been started for several hours, the privilege maybe granted without danger.

It is the custom of Armenians always to face the east when wor- shipping.

According to informants here, one of the spots where they go annually to worship and say prayers is on the bank of a branch of the Euphrates River. The stream is 120 feet wide at the spot of which I speak, and the bank on either side consists of solid rock, and is 120 to 160 feet in height. The region of country about is mountainous. On top of the rocks, on either side of the stream, are the prints of a horse's hoofs. It is related that once upon a time a saint was being pursued by his enemies for the purpose of persecuting him. He galloped his horse to this spot. The stream was too wide to hope to jump it, and the height of the banks too great to hope to live if he should fall below. However, the enemy were close upon him and he could not turn back without falling into their hands. He chose to risk death in an attempt to escape rather than to endure the torture which would undoubtedly be his lot should he be captured. Hence, appealing to God, he galloped his horse to the precipice and made the leap. Supernatural power aided him, and he landed safely upon the opposite bank. He was now delivered, and went on his way rejoicing. However, the exertion of the horse in making such a leap, and the force with which he alighted, left the print of all four of his hoofs upon each side of the stream. On the side from which he jumped the impression of the hind feet in the solid rock is the most prominent. On the bank where he alighted, the fore feet are most deeply impressed. The tracks on either side are very pro- minent, and of the exact shape of the horse's hoofs. The annual gathering at this spot is supposed to be on the anniversary of the day upon which the leap was made. Aside from the worship which takes place, individuals will stand some distance from the horse's tracks and make wishes. They will then pitch a certain number of small pebbles, pennies, beads, marbles, or some other small pieces of something at the tracks, naming as they do so some number. If the number of the small objects named go into the tracks the individ-

l's wish will come true. If some other number instead, then it will not. 1

As Armenians here affirm, one of the things much prized by an Armenian is a visit to Jerusalem. The object of the trip is to see the tomb where Christ was buried. Every Armenian who has

1 The man who gave me the account of the foregoing has himself visited the spot he described.

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