Sunday, May 24, 2009
Today our first full day of being in Armenia. After sleeping a very short time, we woke up and started our day.
After breakfast, we got on the road to Echmiadzin. On our way, we saw the cemetery of Artsakh soldiers, Mount Ararat, the church of Sourp Heripsime, and Gomidas Vartabed statue.
When we got to Echmiadzin, built in 303 A.D, we lit candles for all those who requested candle lighting in memory of their loved ones, also for all of our families. Echmiadzin was filled with vartabeds, surpazans and the monastery students. Before the Badarak, as a surprise Karakin Vehapar came in. Karakin blessed all of our St. Stephens students by putting his hands of our heads.
After that, we learned a lot about Echmiadzin. In Echmiadzin, there was a picture of Shah Apps engraved on Echmiadzin. On the way to Dzizernagapert, the Yrapeloor and Mount Arartat again.
Continuing our day, we arrived at Dzizernagapert. We prayed and put flowers for the martyrs of the genocide. We learned about the planed stages of the genocide.
On our way back to the hotel, we saw Aram Khathadourian’s monument, the presidential residence, the parliament building also numerous embassies.
We visited Vernisage market where everyone shopped for handmade souvenirs for their loved ones.
After a short break, we had dinner at dinner at a great restaurant “Mer Kyoughu” where we ate various foods including Ishkhanatzoug. Our parents sang and danced with the performers.
During the walk back we sang and happily arrived safely to our hotel……
It was an awesome day…..
Tina Barsoumian