The Islamization of the Christians in the Sheki region was intensive from the very beginning of the XVIII century when the weakened Safavid Iran was not able to keep control over the region. There was no longer a force in the region capable to withstand the frequent raids of the North Caucasian tribes who treated the infidels with particular cruelty. The short periods of the Ottoman Empire dominance and Nadir Shah’s rule were also characterized by great destruction caused to the region.

KeywordsSheki Christian Armenian Udi Islamization Church of Aghvank khanate petition.

The definition of main prototypes of the Armenian voiceless husing շ(š) does not present any difficulty: these are the I.-E. *s and *k՛(ṷ). The quantitative ratio of the proto-forms, as well as typological parallels of շ (š) with non relative languages confirms this conclusion.

Keywordssibilants Iranian loan words voiced hushing sounds Old Slavonic Slavic studies proto-language Latvian Avesta Caucasian languages typological parallels diachronic aspect achronic aspect.

Nikol Aghbalyan (1875–1947) was one of the outstanding Armenian figures of the late 19th and first half of the 20th centuries, a literary critic, public and political figure, statesman and teacher. His formation as an individual, an Armenian and public figure was greatly influenced by his birthplace (Havlabar quarter in Tiflis), the art of Sayat Nova, Armenian medieval literature, European and Russian literature and critical thought; it should be also mentioned the priceless role of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

KeywordsNikol Aghbalyan Tiflis Sayat-Nova Armenian medieval literature literary studiesminister emigration Armenian Lyceum in Beirut.