The ancient world’s wise saying “Know thyself” calls for self-awareness and is repeated to this day, urging us to explore and develop the untapped layers of human intellectual and physical potential, and to penetrate the world of Nature’s secrets…

Mithraism, with its esoteric philosophy and multi-symbolic rituals, guides its followers towards the revelation of Truth through self-improvement, perseverance, mindful diligence, and the study of natural laws…

Fearlessly advancing along a clear, systematic path toward perfection, the disciplined Mithraist, as a defender of the homeland, an invincible soldier, and a protector of peace, day by day equally strengthens both mind and body, adhering to the principle of “A sound mind in a sound body,” as well as the “Triple Precept” of “Good thoughts, good words, and good deeds.”

Valuing mental peace and clarity, the thoughtful Mithraist continually sharpens his skills with unshakable willpower, becoming a torchbearer of Light and Wisdom for others, enriching the world with his fertile and productive mind, his universal ideas, and his virtues, improving the world through noble actions.

According to ancient wisdom, “When the student is ready, the teacher appears…”

And the Priests of the Haykian Brotherhood, Priest Mihr Haykazuni and Priest Harut Arakelyan, remind us of some lines from the Book of Haykian Wisdom: “Perfection is a journey, not an innate quality. If you refuse to live the journey, perfection will never be.”

The noble defenders and steadfast guardians of Armenian national culture, the Haykazuni Arevordis (Sons of the Sun), continue to live by the value system inherited from their ancestors to this day. They celebrate the festivals and rituals in their true essence and in accordance with an accurate calendar aligned with Nature’s cycles, also placing importance on a special diet and meditation, keeping both body and mind as pure as possible.

Mithraism, a secret brotherhood founded on lofty ideals, guides the Mithraist towards the Light of Truth through its mysterious rituals, which reveal their deep meanings only to the members of the brotherhood, clarifying and explaining them step by step. This process leads to the gradual discovery of new realms of Knowledge.

“From ancient times, effective methods for wisely transmitting knowledge have been developed, skillfully applying various secret ideas hidden within meaningful symbols.

The Mithraist does not reveal the path leading to the Light of Knowledge all at once.

One must successfully overcome a series of trials, ascending the steps of knowledge and virtue with patience and unwavering will. With a deep sense of responsibility, the Mithraist cultivates his moral qualities, finding balanced solutions to any problem with a calm spirit even in difficult situations.

During his training, the Mithraist passes through specific phases, earning corresponding ranks, each of which holds its own meaning and symbol,” writes Priest Mihr Haykazuni.

Transformed and having attained Mithraic Consciousness, the Sons of the Sun, bearers of the powerful Haykian spirit, are the true heirs of Armenia’s Forefathers—its glorious Kings and Priests. Even today, they keep the eternal Torch of Wisdom, which has shone from the depths of millennia, alight.

“Mithraism ennobles and enlightens humanity, forging its unwavering path through resolute will and action, guiding its followers,” reminds Priest Mihr Haykazuni, adding,
“Nobility, justice, integrity, and discipline form the foundation of the Mithraist’s virtue.
Do not waste your time on trivial matters. Be purposeful and always prepared to face difficult challenges with wisdom and perseverance.”

“The fleeting and transient time granted to each person during their brief life must be given meaning through self-improvement, for the sake of productive, beneficial work and for the welfare of society. Therefore, embody lofty ideals, honing your skills and strengthening yourself by facing life’s trials with courage. Become that highest value which is the foundation of Mithraic virtue—noble, always striving toward Truth and Light,” urges Priest Mihr Haykazuni, welcoming the new members of the Mithraic Brotherhood. With great responsibility and readiness, they have consciously chosen the illuminated path of Knowledge and Self-awareness, continuing the rituals and traditions that have come from the depths of millennia…

Before being initiated into the brotherhood, the novice who seeks to uncover the mysteries of Mithraism is led to the “Chamber of Meditation,” where only a few symbolic objects are present.

In the dim light of a cave, illuminated solely by the flame of a candle, he must face his first trial alone, standing at the threshold of transformation.

Let’s continue the discussion from the previous post about the “Children of the Sun” by exploring the true teachings of the real Children of the Sun—according to the interpretation of the priests of the Haykian Brotherhood, who preserve the ancient solar culture of the Haykazuni lineage.

In Ghevond Alishan’s study “The Old Faith or the Pagan Religion of the Armenians,” we read: “It is more surprising and easier to believe that sun worship, more than other beliefs, has somehow deeply and lastingly taken root among our compatriots. And at various times, there have appeared ‘Children of the Sun,’ who perhaps still exist, though it is not clear to which people they belong. In the mid-11th century, Grigor Magistros mentions them by this name and considers them to be descendants of the Zandik magi. He says: ‘Some of them, having been enlightened, are sun-worshippers, whom they call the Arevordik (Children of the Sun). And many of them are found in this region (Mesopotamia), and Christians openly refer to them as such’…”

“…In the writings of authors from later centuries closer to our own, there are also mentions related to the Children of the Sun. Even today, in the regions of Mesopotamia, there are sectarians called ‘Shemsi’ (meaning ‘solar’), who follow a religion that blends elements of paganism, Christianity, and Islam.

The origin of their ethnicity is unknown, and they speak the local language.

In the very land of Armenia, in the regions near Kaghzvan, one can still hear the names of the ‘Arevordi’ or ‘Artsvordi’ mountains that rise between the rivers Aras and Aratsani. In recent times, Yezidis and sun-worshippers have been found there, or at least Arevordis, who are mentioned by local geographers, among them being Texier (Texier, Asie Mineure, I, 105, 123).”

In the early 17th century, during his travels through Mardin, Simeon of Poland (Simeon Lehatsi) testifies that the “Shemsis” had a gathering place (a “prayer place”) in Mardin. They spoke Armenian, but under the threat of forced conversion, they were scattered from there—some went to Persia, while others fled to Syria, Tokat, and Marsvan (Simeon of Poland, Travelogue, p. 208, Vienna, 1936).

In the travel diaries of the 1895 expedition, French archaeologist and anthropologist Ernest Chantre (1843-1924) writes about the unique aspects of the Yezidi religion, the influences it has absorbed from other beliefs, and their morning ritual of worshipping the sun. He concludes that Zoroastrian elements have been unconsciously preserved in their practices (p. 94). Certain excerpts (translated by me) confirm the lines of medieval chroniclers:

“Some consider them to be Muslims, others Nestorians or followers of Zoroaster’s teachings. …They worship the sun as a symbol of God’s justice, the life-giving principle for humanity.”

“Like the ancient Arevordik (Children of the Sun), they worship the bard, but in extreme contradiction, they believe that by doing so, they are venerating the tree from which the wood for Jesus’ cross was made.”

“When you ask a Yezidi what his religion is, he answers that he is ‘Isavi,’ meaning that he belongs to Jesus—in short, that he is a Christian. And since they are notorious thieves and robbers, they justify their actions by saying that Jesus permitted them to steal in remembrance of the thief crucified on his right side.”

Referring to the Arévordiner mentioned by Nerses Shnorhali, who rejected the new Christian faith during its spread and preserved their own teachings, Chanteur questions Yeghiazaryan’s suggestion that this sect was likely represented by the Yazidis. He also recalls Portugalyan’s etymology of the word ‘Yazidi,’ derived from the Persian city of Yazd, where Zoroastrianism persists to this day.

The “Children of the Sun”, who have survived to this day thanks to the descendants of the Haykazuni, are Armenians who, through a special ritual known as the “Sun’s Gaze”, carry the teachings of Hayk, as explained by Kurm Mihr Haykazuni.

The confusion and ambiguity among the authors mentioned stem from the fact that, after the spread of Christianity, nations with beliefs that included elements of nature worship were often generalized as being associated with “sun worship”. The medieval manuscripts that refer to the “Children of the Sun” give us insights into the nationality of these individuals through historical accounts concerning the populations of Mesopotamia over the centuries.

In his description of the fortified city of Mardin, located on a high, rocky mountain, and its fruitful surroundings, Ghukas Inchichian also speaks of the diverse local population: “The city’s inhabitants number about 1000, and they consist of Turks, Kurds, Arabs, Armenians, Assyrians (or Jacobites), Chaldeans, and also the Shamsiyya, which in Arabic means ‘People of the Sun,’ whom our ancestors referred to as the ‘Children of the Sun.’” (Gh. Inchichian, Geography of the Four Parts of the World: Asia, Europe, Africa, and America. Written by Father Ghukas Vardapet Inchichian of Constantinople. St. Lazarus Island, Venice, 1806, Part I, Asia, Vol. I, p. 353).

“People of the Sun, whom our ancestors called the Children of the Sun…”

“Sun worship represents the culture of Life’s Light, the quest for Wisdom and self-improvement.
The Children of the Sun are the carriers of this culture, spreading the Light and sowing Knowledge, Wisdom, and Goodness.
A Child of the Sun, in the Haykazuni worldview, is an Armenian raised with the Haykazuni philosophy, inheriting the wisdom passed down by their ancestors.
Naturally, tribes living by the lunar calendar could not be called ‘Children of the Sun,’ as noted by Kurm Mihr Haykazuni.”

Today, the priests of the Haykian Brotherhood offer precise knowledge about the ancient traditions of the Haykazuni Children of the Sun, Sun worship, and the teachings of Hayk, clarifying many questions that have remained uncertain over the centuries.

Here is a short interview with Kurm Mihr Haykazuni, providing some concise explanations.