Babaian Rug Co. Inc.   Since 1910

St. Johns Kapert

·        French, “Choffilin” (as from Julfa)

·        Rumeno, Armeno “Italian”

·        Armeniastadt, “Transylvanian”

·        Orman, “Hungarian”

·        Rumania, “Armean”

No matter how you say it, throughout history towns and trade all had names for Armenian Kaperts or as we say in English carpets.  Kaperts, an Armenian term first appears in the bible under Mathew 9:16 and Mark 2:21.around the fifth century.  In fact, many terns used today such as thread, pile, spindle and madder (a plant dye for the color red) are of Armenian origin.  For centuries, Muslims of the east have referred to the Kahli when referring to woven goods, which is a term, derived from the renowned town of Kalikala an Armenian town known for its fine production of Kaperts.  Today we have a magazine (focused on carpets & textiles) that uses the name Hali, a term known for carpets, to discuss scholarly articles in detail. 

In 347 A.D., the twin grandsons of St. Gregory are struck by lightning while on a carpet in the church as reported by Faustos.  This ideology of the church as heaven on earth is in the scriptures, such as Luke 10:20 Christ words are “You should rejoice that your name is enrolled in heaven” speaking in reference to the act of a memorial donation.  The obvious use and significance of carpets in the Armenian Church, both as utility and as another bit or reflection of heaven, is well documented.

In this spirit, The Babaian Family Diane, Alex, Debra, Lindsay, Armen, and Annemarie humbly donate this Kapert woven in Armenia for St Johns the Baptist Armenian Apostolic Church, in loving memory of our father and mother, Garry & Jean Babaian.  It is appropriate that the cruciforms don both ends as the faithful recite Holy Communion.  The birds are throughout the field both to delight the children and to carry our prayers to heaven.

Thanks be to God.

The Babaian family.