Western Diocese

On July 5th, 2007 the CYMA Pilgrims for 2007 arrived at LAX from their intensive two week pilgrimage to Armenia. They were received by ecstatic family members and friends as they exited the terminal. For these young faithful of the Western Diocese this was the end of their trip, but the beginning of their renewed mission within the Armenian Church.

On June 19th, the first of two CYMA groups departed for Armenia from Los Angeles International Airport. Over the following two weeks the CYMA internship program was initiated, while simultaneously the Pilgrimage program took place. The Internship program is being coordinated Ms. Taline Kavazanjian of the Canadian Diocese, whose vast experience in volunteering in Armenia has been an invaluable resource. The Pilgrimage was led by Deacon Matthew Ash, clergy candidate for the Western Diocese.

The Diocese is proud to announce that our Pilgrims were able to experience an honest glimpse into the soul of the Motherland. One of their first activities, along with the interns, was to formally meet with His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. They were honored to be received by him, and in his address to them he commended them for their zeal in taking the courageous step to experience their Homeland, and challenged them to return with a new sense of commitment to their people and church. They returned to Holy Etchmiadzin the following Sunday for Divine Liturgy, and experienced the ordination of 7 young men to the priesthood. All in attendance agreed that it was truly a moving occasion.

The first major trip of the pilgrims was made to the Gugaratz Diocese located in the City of Vanadzor. There, they were received by Sebu Surpazan, who hosted them with great hospitality. During their meeting with Sebu Surpazan the Pilgrims were proud to present a gift of $4,000 on behalf of the Western Diocese Summer Camp toward the Gugaratz Diocese Summer Camp. The Primate expressed his gratitude toward the Western Diocese Camp program. On this trip the pilgrims visited the ancient monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin, as well as Haghardsin. During the evening they stayed at the Gugaratz Diocese Summer Camp, and were fortunate to be able to meet and play with the many children in attendance. This was a moving and powerful experience for them. The next trip was made to the Ancient fortress of Ambert, Saghmosavank, and the burial site of Mesrob Mashdotz, Oshagan.

During the second weekend of the trip, both the Pilgrims and Interns gathered to make a pilgrimage to Artsakh, otherwise known as Nagorno-Karabakh. This was truly an amazing trip. It began with a visit to Khor Virap, the pit in which St. Gregory was held Captive. The group descended into the pit where they reflected on the foundations of their faith and prayed. As they continued to Artsakh they visited the beautiful Noravank, and the majestic Datev, both historically significant monasteries. They stayed in the city of Shushi while in Artsakh, next to the white church of Ghazanchetsotz. In the morning of the second day they met with His Eminence Barkev Surpazan, who received them at his home in Shushi. He spoke to them about the ancient and recent histories of Artsakh, and challenged them to return in the future. They then visited the monastery of Gandzatsar, the statue of Dadik and Babik, and the city of Stepanagert. In the evening as the sun was setting the CYMA participants set out through Shushi. In the dusk they walked through the city and saw the ravages that war brought in the burnt and bombed buildings. Along the way to the famous cliff of Jderdooz, the beautiful site of the decisive battle for Shushi, our youth made friends with some of the city’s children who took an interest in the foreigner visitors. The site of Jderdooz, and the story of the 14 Armenian soldiers who scaled the cliff to fight the occupying Azeris, was an inspiration for all, and moment to reflect on the potential of the Armenian people. Walking back from the site, some CYMA members decided to start an impromptu soccer game with some of the city kids, which turned out to be a two hour match that caused many of the locals came out to watch. On the following morning, CYMA attended the Divine Liturgy at the Church of Ghazanchetsotz, where they were honored be part of the Berkev Suprazan’s procession into the church. On the way back to Yerevan the group stopped at several wonderful sights.

The following day the Pilgrims visited the sites of Garni and Geghard, two important spiritual and historical sites near to Yerevan. First they visited the Monetary of Geghard, the former storage place of the lance which pierced the side of Christ when he was on the Cross (Geghard is Armenian for lance). The lance is currently held at Holy Etchmiadzin, but the monastery, which is built in to the side of the rock face, is one of the most beautiful and inspiring examples of Armenian Church architecture. The participants gathered in the upper chamber and sang Armenian Church hymns. They later visited the ancient pagan temple of Garni, which was recently restored.

The day before the pilgrim’s departure the entire CYMA group, both interns and pilgrims, gathered together to visit the Genocide Memorial, Dzidzernagapert. At the memorial they held a solemn prayer service dedicated to the memory of those who perished in the Armenian Genocide. Following this, they all attended a special farewell dinner for the pilgrims. The CYMA participants had a wonderful time, and although it was raining, and the dance floor was entirely outdoors, they still took the opportunity to dance and celebrate their experience.

Ultimately the mission of the pilgrimage program is to introduce our youth to their cultural and spiritual inheritance in Armenia. When this program is successful the participants will return home with a renewed dedication and vigor for their role in the Armenian Church, whether through service in the ACYO, Summer Camp, Sunday School, or serving in the Choir or on the Holy Altar. This program’s effectiveness can be further determined by how it has inspired our youth to further explore and experience Armenia through the CYMA internship program. This years CYMA pilgrimage is overjoyed that as on of its participants, Arman Kalamkarian of St. Paul Fresno, stated, “I think it’s safe to say that we all had the time of our lives and have plans to go back in one year. I know for myself, I’ve began to count down the days till the day we all meet at LAX again.”

The CYMA internship program continues in Armenia, with participants interning at various professional locations until the trip concludes in mid-August. For them, time will tell what the depths of their experiences, and strength of the relationships they build will manifest. If the first three weeks of this program are an indication, this trip will be for them a major event in their lives that will have far reaching effects in their spiritual, personal, and professional lives. The CYMA committee will be submitting updates regarding this trip in the near future, but you can follow their experiences as well as read reflections on the pilgrimage by reading the CYMA blog at www.cyma-wd.org. You can also access photo albums from this as well as past year’s trips. The CYMA committee continues to thank all those donors who helped make this year’s trip possible, and asks for the community for its further support and prayers as we continue this important mission of the ACYO for the youth of the Western Diocese.