Western Diocese

On Wednesday, June 30, the Christian Youth Mission to Armenia departs for their one month long pilgrimage to the Motherland. This will mark the 7th year that the mission, established under the leadership of Diocesan Primate Abp. Hovnan Derderian, will bring youth from the Western Diocese to experience their Ancestral Homeland and discover their faith. This year's group will be capably led by Diocesan Youth Director, Rev. Fr. Avedis Abovian. The Diocese is pleased that he will be bringing his experience and spiritual insight to this important program.

This year's CYMA group will consist of 7 diocesan youth, two of which are members of the Armenian Church Youth Organization Central Council, its highest governing body; those participants are Ms. Ani Khatchadourian, Chairperson, and Mr. Raffi Postaldjian. With this year's participants, CYMA celebrates sending over 100 youth to Armenia since 2004.

Last year saw the incorporation of CYMA's first major service project, in which they participated in the renovation of a faithful family's tumbledown home in the city of Gyumri. This year new programs are being introduced that will help foster spiritual growth throughout the course of the pilgrimage. This year's spiritual program will consist of talks that correspond to the group's daily travel schedule discussing topics like "Who am I?" and the "Struggle for faith and Fatherland" in places like Holy Etchmiadzin and Artsakh.

Additionally, they will conduct a one week program in conjunction with the Armenian Church Youth Organization in the Diocese of Shirak, in the City of Gyumri. Along with their local peers they will participate in forums, spiritual discussions, and missions to help restore an ancient Monastery in the region.

This year's mission also sees the return of the internship component to the program, as certain participants will be working three days a week in various volunteer capacities in places such as Orran, Nersses Medz Medical Center, and Manana Youth Center. This has been deemed the Community Engagement Program and is an excellent venue for participants to interact with local professionals, improve language skills, and gain experience in a given field.

The Christian Youth Mission to Armenia, as a mission of the ACYO, under the management of the Executive Committee and guidance of the Youth Department of the Western Diocese has constantly evolved to meet the needs of the youth and provide the best experience possible for its participants.

Follow CYMA as they experience Armenian at www.cyma-wd.org and www.flickr.com/cymawd.