Spiritual Pilgrimages

Spiritual Pilgrimages

Holy Land of Conversion

Armenia is a wonderful country for a pilgrimage; two of the apostles, Thaddeus and Bartholomew, preached in Armenia in the first century, and the country was the first state to adopt Christianity as a state religion, 79 years before Rome.

Pilgrim sites abound the country: at pagan temples converted into churches, cave shrines and holy springs believed to have been converted by Grigor Lusavorich (Gregory the Illuminator) in the early 4th century.  There are thousands of ancient shrines, churches and monasteries that populate the landscape, many placed within stunning landscapes.  The church protects hundreds of relics, including a fragment of the True Cross; a piece of the Ark; and the Holy Lance, believed to have pierced the side of Christ.

Unique to Armenian pilgrimages are visits to a few of the tens of thousands of miraculous Khachkars (cross-stones), one of the most characteristic symbols of Armenian Christian worship.  With their intricate carvings, symbolism, and perceived holy power, Khachkars were beloved by pilgrims from the 4th century, the beginning of the tradition.

Pilgrimages are not reserved just for Armenians; all who have faith in Christ are called to visit the Holy Land of Conversion, the country of Armenia.

Pilgrimages can be organized to include chants and liturgical songs at medieval monasteries and churches, staying overnight at a monastery, participation in the liturgy, blessings, sacraments, and meetings with members of the church.

Pilgrim sites

Visit Echmiadzin, the Seat of the Catholicos of All Armenians, with the 301-303 cathedral and the 4th-7th century Martyrion Churches for Sts. Guyaneh and Hripsimeh; Roman maidens martyred by the Armenian king T’rdat for their Christian faith.  Their martyrdom is one of the seminal events in the conversion of the state to Christianity and their relics are believed to have miraculous powers.  Echmiadzin complex includes the church treasury, where holy relics are kept, including a piece of the True Cross, Noah’s Ark and the Holy Lance.

Visit Zvartnots, next to Echmiadzin, the site where Gregory the Illuminator is believed to have cured the Pagan King T’rdat, precipitating the conversion of the nation to Christianity.

Visit nearby Oshakan and the grave for Mesrop Mashtots, inventor of the Armenian Alphabet in 405.

Visit Khor Virap, the pit where Gregory the Illuminator is believed to have languished for 13 years for refusing King T’rdat’s command to worship a Pagan Idol.

Visit Garni and Geghard, located on the spectacular Goghti River near Yerevan.  Garni has one of the last surviving Greco-Roman temples in the country, saved from destruction by the 4th century queen Khosrovadukht.  The complex includes the 1st century temple and palace foundations, Bronze Age fortifications, remains of a central domed 7th century church, and 2nd century Roman baths.  The village has 4th-13th century churches.  Nearby Geghard is one of the most visited holy sites in the country; its inner churches and mausoleums carved out of solid rock. The monastery was founded in the 4th century by Gregory the Illuminator on the site of a Pagan shrine, and reached importance in the 7th century when it became a powerful monastery of ascetic monks, and became the repository of the Holy Lance.

Visit Lake Sevan, and Sevanavank, believed to have been established by Gregory the Illuminator in the 4th century on the site of a Pagan temple, now a 8th century monastery overlooking the incandescent lake, one of the largest high altitude lakes in the world.  While at Lake Sevan visit idyllic 9th century Hairavank and the field of over 1000 medieval khachkars at Noradus.  Also visit the grave fields at Dzoragiugh and Nerkin Getashen, both filled with khachkars carved on top of Pagan Vishap and Bronze Age astronomical observatory stones.  The astronomical stones still bear the rounded eye pieces used to chart the night sky more than 5000 years ago.

Travel the Aragats monastery trail, visiting the 5th-15th century churches at Ashtarak (Karmravor), Mughni, Saghmosavank, Hovhanavank, and Ushi; travel to Amberd, summer residence of Armenia’s kings form the Bronze Age; visit Tegher, built in 1221 to house a community of monks commanded by the king to chant 24 hours a day for the salvation of his soul.

Visit the medieval monasteries and universities of the north, 5th century Aruch and Talin; the World Heritage candidate Yereruik, 13th century Harichavank and Marmashen in Shirak; the World Heritage Sites Sanahin and Haghbat, and the gorgeous forest churches at D’segh; the evocative frescoes at Kobair, the wonderful cathedral and obelisks at Odzun and the bas relief sculptures at Akhtala.  In Tavush, visit Haghartsin, Goshavank, Markaravank, Chkmuradi and Varagavan.

In the south, pilgrimages feature the “jewels in the crown” of Vayots Dzor, the exquisitely detailed Noravank and its sister church, Gndevank.  Near Yeghegnadzor are a number of monasteries and castles, among them the 13th century University of Gladzor, among the oldest in the world.  Near Sissian is Armenia’s Stonehenge, Karahundj (Zorats Kar), and World heritage Site candidate Tatev Monastery, perhaps the most beautifully located of all of Armenia’s monasteries, perched over a 100 meter waterfall plunging to the Vorotan River Canyon; Armenia’s “Grand Canyon”.  Further south are the pilgrimage sites at the 6th century basilica Yertisavank, Vahanavank and churches at villages and byways throughout southern Siunik.

Feast Days

Add a special meaning to your pilgrimage by visiting during one the church’s Feast Days:  Nativity; Easter; the Feast of the Ascension (one of the most widely celebrated feasts in the country); the Feast of the Transfiguration, also known as Vardavar, commemorated by people pouring water on each other; the Feast of the Assumption, the traditional day for the blessing of the grape harvest; among others.  A complete list of Feast Days in Armenia is at http://www.armenianchurch.net/prayer/feasts.html.

Resources
http://www.armenianchurch.org/
http://www.armenianchurch.net/news/magazine/winter2002/international.html

http://micro5.mscc.huji.ac.il/~armenia/NazarethInsc.html
http://www.hyeetch.nareg.com.au/religion/events_p1.html