May 22, 2011
We are finally in Armenia. Today was the day that we saw everything that represents us as Armenians.
Our first trip was to Echmiadzin. We were lucky to experience a badarak at this very special church Echmiadzin, which means the coming down of God to tell Krikor Lucavuriech where he wanted a church for his one and only Son. “Ech” means to come down and “miadzin” stands for one and only.
After the church we guided into the Etchmiadzin Madarataran. An interesting fact about Echmiadzin is that here is the only place that the meron used for Christenings used by every one of our churches is made and blessed once every seven years. There we learned that the church was build 2 years after the Armenians accepted to Christianity which was in 301.
Lunch was great. When I put the lavash in my mouth it melted right away. It was so yummy, I can’t wait to have more. Fourth graders get excited because when they serve soda it’s in glass bottles it tastes better and it is just more fun.
When we got to Oshagan we saw all of the khachkars that were shaped in Armenian alphabet. We were given permission to take a picture with the letter that begins with our names. In the church I noticed we were going down to somewhere. When I got down realized we were going to see Mesrob Mashdoz’s grave. Many of us lit candles for him and we left.
We went to Dzizernagapert and we put two flowers each down next to the fire, we said our prayers. This was so moving It can’t be described. It will touch you deep in your heart .This place is unbelievably beautiful because of the architecture and the symbol of the everlasting fire.
By Anastasia Goulopoulos