Armenia Service Program 2015

Monday, August 3, 2015

July 13: We went to the Sevan Monastery and enjoyed the beautiful views from the top of the peninsula. We then had lunch in Sevan and drove to the Forest of Khachkars to view the history of the Armenian people and see the distinct and beautiful Khachkars. There we learned that each khachkar is unique in its own way because of its symbolism and design. We then traveled to Goris to stay overnight at the Lara Hotel.

July 14: We ate breakfast at the Lara Hotel and then began our journey to Datev. We took the longest passenger aerial tramway in the world with a gorgeous view to head to the Datev Monastery and meet with the only monk living in Armenia. We were given time to discover the interior of the monastery which was founded in the 4th century. We viewed the rooms where oil was made and how exactly it was extracted from the various seeds. We then drove to eat lunch in the foothills and continued our day to visit Noravank Monastery. After viewing the only carving of God the Father in a stone on top of Noravank, we headed to Khor Virap to view Mt. Ararat. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to view the pit of St.Gregory the Illuminator as it was closed by the time we reached there. We drove to Yerevan at night to sleep.

July 15: On Wednesday, we met with Navasard Surpazan and the youth of his community here in Yerevan to discuss details of our trip and learn about how they conduct their functions as a youth group here in Armenia. We were given the opportunity to speak with the youth on a one to one basis and converse with them about their difficulties in gathering the religious youth in Armenia.

July 16: Thursday, we drove to the FAR children's center and toured the center. We then met up with live characters and danced and played with the children in the center.

July 17: After delivering sports equipment and ice cream to the FAR children, we played games with them and had a drawing competition. In the afternoon we toured the Tumo Center for Creative Technologies which teaches kids ages 12-18 all of the aspects of technological creativity such as theatre, music, web design, and game design.

July 18: We drove to Sardarabad Memorial Complex and learned about the history of the battle. We then walked to the Museum of Ethnography to learn a variety of cultural and historical facts based off of the pieces in the museum. If we did not win the battle at Sardarabad, we would not have a motherland today. We also visited the Hyeortyatz Children's Center where we had the privilege to watch their dances and circus acts.

Thursday, July 16, 2015

July 6: Today we went to Ashtarak, Oshagan, and Artashavan to see the Armenian letters. Then we drove to Vanadzor at night. We have been in Vanadzor helping out at the old age home. We have also visited the orphanage in Vanadzor, and the Vanadzor youth group has been helping us since we got in to make sure our stay is good. They have been going on our trips with us and helping out at the old age home as well with us.

July 8: Today we climbed up Kobayr and went to Kobayravank... with extremely beautiful scenery.

July 12: For the past 3 days, we have volunteered at the old age home in Vanadzor during the mornings and have toured the city of Vanadzor during the afternoons. We went to Haghpat, Odzun, & Sanahin monasteries to see the ancient heritage of the Armenian people. We were welcomed by the priest in Odzun to his house for lunch and spent time viewing the art gallery in the city center of Vanadzor.

After attending Divine Liturgy at the St. Gregory of Narek church in Vanadzor where we celebrated the Feast of the Transfiguration, we headed out to Dilidjan where we had lunch at a local woman's house. We then left and drove to Lake Sevan where we will be staying overnight.

July 11: We went to Haghartzin monastery. After we came back to the camp, we played Vartavar with the Vanadzor Armenian youth of the church. With the youth, we marinated khorovats and made a beautiful and delicious picnic outside in the BBQ grounds of the camp.

Sunday, July 5, 2015

To Etchmiadzin they go!

July 4: The day started by walking over to the Matenadaran Library and Research Institute. There the group saw ancient manuscripts, withstanding the harsh history. The ink that was used in the manuscripts was made from natural material, like the red beetle that is only found in the Ararat Valley. Hundreds of years later we are still able to see the original pictures within the manuscript. After the tour by a local guide, we loaded onto the bus and journeyed to Garni, where the group saw the only surviving pre-Christian Pagan Temple that was built during the Hellenistic Era. On the same grounds was the original bathhouse. Inside the bathhouse was a partially surviving mosaic on the ground from the fourth century that had an interesting inscription, “All of this work has been done without any reward”. The origin of this quote has been debated on who put in there and in reference to what. The group headed out to Geghard where we had a nice lunch with a fantastic view of the mountains, and watched lavash being made. Our final stop of the day took us on a short trip over to Geghard church, cave monastery, which was carved into the mountainside during the 12th century A.D.

July 5: The day started off at St. Hripsime Church which was erected on the site that Hripsime was martyred. Then a journey over to the Holy Mother See of Etchmiadzin where the group was received by the His Holiness Karekin II. He told the group about the progress made during his time as the Vehapar and allowed some time for questions. Badarak was attended at Holy Mother See, and then headed over to Gayane where they took communion. The group explored a little more around Etchmiadzin, and then headed to lunch at a Children’s Center where they had lunch in an exhibition of their art and was serenaded by traditional Armenian music.

Saturday, July 4, 2015

And they're off!

July 1: The ASP 2015 group met in New York to begin the journey to Yerevan, Armenia. After 18 long hours, they finally arrived and began their trip by exploring the city of Yerevan.

July 3: Today the group was up early and ready to go! Anahit, the group tour guide, took them to their first stop, Mayr Hayastan (Mother Armenia). The group learned about the monument's history along with the symbolism that it provides to the Armenian people. While still in Yerevan the group went to Cascade to see the contemporary architectural pieces and amazing view from the top of the almost 600 step staircase. They then ventured to the Erebuni fortress and museum. They were able to look at ancient artifacts and the remains of the fortress dated as early as eight century B.C. After a delicious lunch at an authentic Armenian Middle Eastern restaurant, it was off to Dzidzernagapert, Armenian Genocide Memorial. The group ended with an emotional and sentimental visit to the monuments and the Armenian Genocide Museum.

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

ASP 2015 Itinerary
“Deepening your connection with your identity and your homeland.”

DAY 1 – THURSDAY, JULY 02 – Arrival at Zvartnots Airport – Yerevan

OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN

DAY 2 – FRIDAY, JULY 03

YEREVAN CITY TOUR

Our trip through the territories of Armenia begins today in Yerevan - the capital, one of the ancient cities in the world - Erebouni Fortress which was founded in 782 BC. This is the shuttle to your first walk from the museum of Erebouni to the top of Arin-Berd hill to discover the ancient fortress.

“I remember and demand” April 24, 2015 … Remember again & again, but not among ourselves, silently, in our homes, as well we will go out for the Marches, Commemoration, and Efforts to obtain official recognition of the Genocide especially in the 100 YEARS of Genocide. And we will carry candles and flowers to the visiting of Tsitsernakaberd memorial to the 1915 Genocide

Lunch in Armenian Traditional restaurant

The next stop is the Cascade, which is a huge white stairwell built on a Yerevan hillside in the 1970s, with water fountains running down the sides, all reminiscent of a natural river or stream cascading. It connects the central district to Haghtanak Park – “Victory” Park to the center of the city. The structure has escalators so that it is unnecessary to manually ascend the stairs all the way to the top.

OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN

DAY 3 – SATURDAY, JULY 04

Garni, the rare pre-Christian pagan monument maintained in Armenia; wonderful canyon of Garni, where one can see magnificent sheer vertical cliffs, which look manmade.

Geghard (Cave monastery) architectural complex in the 12-13th century cut in one monolithic rock. We have the opportunity to see traditional table/lavash making: “Eat thy bread with joy”.

Lunch and LAVASH making in Armenian traditional way in “tonir” (special pit for making Armenian Traditional Bread: LAVASH)

Return to Yerevan and visit Matenadaran Library and Research Institute of Armenia

OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN

DAY 4 – SUNDAY, JULY 05

Today we embark on our Journey to the lands of ancient treasures of Christian history… the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. It's the "religious capital" of the Armenian Church and the seat of the Supreme Patriarch-Catholics of all Armenians. It has 4 main churches, including the Cathedral. Built in 303AD, the cathedral is a masterpiece of Armenian classical architecture and considered to be one of the world’s earliest Christian churches. Admire Hripsime and Gayane Churches (7th C) named after faithful virgins.

Lunch in the educational & cultural center of Etchmiadzin

OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN

DAY 5 – MONDAY, JULY 06 – Check out

Ashtarak – where you can find numerous churches and various ancient buildings at every step;

Oshakan – the most famous as the last resting place of Mesrop Mashtots.

Artashavan – New Complex of Armenian Letters: “It is difficult to express the deep feeling Armenians have for their language, which many regard as the lifeblood of their culture.”

Saghmosavank Monastery perched on the edge of the precipitous gorge of the Kasakh River.

Amberd Fortress

Driving To Vanadzor – CAMP

OVERNIGHT IN VANADZOR

DAY 6 – TUESDAY, JULY 07

SERVICE PROGRAM IN VANADZOR