About Aram Merchant Adventurers Merchants have been travelling to distant lands to buy the best and rarest of goods for centuries. We are part of that long tradition of venturing and hazarding.  Aram is the old name for Syria, and Aramaic was probably the first language Christ himself spoke. So we are called Aram Merchant Adventurers. We are proud to be able to offer goods from other  wonderful places, notably Mount Athos, that unique stronghold of monasticism of the Greek Orthodox church, where females are never admitted and the day to day affairs of the territory and its government were carried on according to the charters  of the Byzantine emperors. At a little over a thousand years old Athos is the oldest democracy in the world, having kept its autonomy under the Roman Byzantines, Ottomans etc. and now is a separately governed territory within Greece and with special relationships to the rest of the European Union. Athos is usually referred to as Aghion Oros, the Holy Mountain. This wonderful and inaccessible spot claims the Virgin Mary (Theotokos-Mother of God) as its patron. For a broader introduction click here. From Athos we have superb hand carved crosses made by a skilled monk in a Kelli near the monasteries of Iveron and Stavronikita.  We sometimes have Orthodox icons for sale and are actively seeking more. As for Damascus a basic background can be viewed here. At around seven thousand years Damascus has a very respectable claim to be the world's oldest city. although we understand this is disputed by Aleppo where we also buy some things. Syrians have been known for centuries amongst Arab nations for their wonderful craftsmanship, as they are well aware of their incredible precision of finish and unique designs.  For more information see the Syrian Goods page.		Home Page Syrian Goods >> Frequently Asked Questions >> Contact >> Events >>