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YOUNG DIASPORANS' PILGRIMAGE TO JERUSALEM
by Lilly Torosyan
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2012/07/13/young-diasporans-pilgrimage-to-jerusalem/
July 13, 2012
Every year, one college-aged member of each parish in the Diocese
is chosen to make the pilgrimage to the Holy City of Jerusalem. The
nine-day journey consists of frequent church visits and Bible study,
in addition to many hours spent sightseeing all across the Judean
Desert. This year, the travelers' itinerary included Bethlehem,
Jericho, and the Dead Sea.
Group photo from the pilgrimage From St. George's Armenian Apostolic
Church in Hartford, Conn., Sara DerAprahamian and Anna Abalyan made
the voyage this summer as part of the 40-person ensemble. Abalyan's
sister, Karina, had made the trip two years prior and recommended
that her sister go, too. "I was really excited to see the Armenian
Quarter in Jerusalem. It was such a surreal experience," said
Abalyan. DerAprahamian agreed. "I would definitely recommend that
every Armenian try to go at least once, especially with the Diocese!"
Diocesan Primate Archbishop Khajag Barsamian accompanied the
20-somethings and performed various prayers, including the Blessing of
the Water ceremony at the Jordan River. At the beginning of the trip,
Barsamian had a message to convey to the eager students. "You too
have reached [the place of Jesus Christ's birth]. You are having this
experience. And we as a group will be able to share that experience,
as we embark on a journey that has the power to shape us, and direct
us, throughout our lives."
Many of the past participants say they were enlightened by the
experience. "I have been to Armenia before, but there is just something
special about this community of very few, devoted Armenians.
They are keeping alive one of the most ancient communities in the
world," said Shant Ghokasiyan, who participated in the trip in 2010.
"Those who support the program are doing a good thing for these people
and for us, the new generation of Diaspora Armenians, so that we can
one day do our part and help out, too," added Shant, whose father is
the Deacon at St. George's.
The program is funded every year by benefactors who wish to help the
Jerusalem-Armenian community by engaging young Armenians from all
over the world.
From: A. Papazian
by Lilly Torosyan
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2012/07/13/young-diasporans-pilgrimage-to-jerusalem/
July 13, 2012
Every year, one college-aged member of each parish in the Diocese
is chosen to make the pilgrimage to the Holy City of Jerusalem. The
nine-day journey consists of frequent church visits and Bible study,
in addition to many hours spent sightseeing all across the Judean
Desert. This year, the travelers' itinerary included Bethlehem,
Jericho, and the Dead Sea.
Group photo from the pilgrimage From St. George's Armenian Apostolic
Church in Hartford, Conn., Sara DerAprahamian and Anna Abalyan made
the voyage this summer as part of the 40-person ensemble. Abalyan's
sister, Karina, had made the trip two years prior and recommended
that her sister go, too. "I was really excited to see the Armenian
Quarter in Jerusalem. It was such a surreal experience," said
Abalyan. DerAprahamian agreed. "I would definitely recommend that
every Armenian try to go at least once, especially with the Diocese!"
Diocesan Primate Archbishop Khajag Barsamian accompanied the
20-somethings and performed various prayers, including the Blessing of
the Water ceremony at the Jordan River. At the beginning of the trip,
Barsamian had a message to convey to the eager students. "You too
have reached [the place of Jesus Christ's birth]. You are having this
experience. And we as a group will be able to share that experience,
as we embark on a journey that has the power to shape us, and direct
us, throughout our lives."
Many of the past participants say they were enlightened by the
experience. "I have been to Armenia before, but there is just something
special about this community of very few, devoted Armenians.
They are keeping alive one of the most ancient communities in the
world," said Shant Ghokasiyan, who participated in the trip in 2010.
"Those who support the program are doing a good thing for these people
and for us, the new generation of Diaspora Armenians, so that we can
one day do our part and help out, too," added Shant, whose father is
the Deacon at St. George's.
The program is funded every year by benefactors who wish to help the
Jerusalem-Armenian community by engaging young Armenians from all
over the world.
From: A. Papazian