On more than a few occasions I’ve quoted my primate, Abp. Hovnan Derderian, when he said “one trip to Armenia is worth more than a thousand sermons.” I suppose there are some reading this that wouldn’t really be enticed to visit Armenia by that proclamation, but perhaps I can drive the point home further by qualifying the nature of the aforementioned thousand sermons. One trip to Armenia is worth more than a thousand of the most soul-refreshing, informative, and vocationally inspirational sermons you’ve heard.

At the end of September we began our Pilgrimage to Armenia, which was affiliated with the Mer Hooys mission of the Western Diocese, with 16 participants from the Bay Area and throughout the Western Diocese. The two week journey was complete survey of the most spiritually and historically significant sites found in Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh. From Lori Provence in the North to Goris in the South and Nagorno-Karabagh in the East, we drank in the rich and rejuvenating energy that flows from places like Haghpat and Tatev Monestary. At each pilgrimage site we prayed and sang and reflected. In between we ate and traveled and ate, growing in friendship (and waste line) .

We also were introduced to the Mer Hooys program, which provides much needed resources for at-risk female orphans. It is an amazing facility that gives a select group of orphans the academic, social, and psychological tools they need to succeed despite their harsh adversities. It was a privilege for our pilgrims to get to know these girls and become familiar with the Mer Hooys mission.

– Fr. Mesrop

For more of Fr. Mesrop’s photos and reflections from this year’s pilgrimage visit his blog.