REFLECTIONS FROM CYMA PILGRIMAGE 2017

By: Gayana Parsegova

On June 29, ten participants of the Christian Youth Mission to Armenia (CYMA), embarked on an excursion of a lifetime alongside their spiritual leader Der Krikor Zakaryan of Saint Garabed Armenian Church in Palm Desert, with the assistance of Trip Coordinator, Jaqueline Boyadzhyan from St. Leon Cathedral in Burbank.

The participants began their summer pilgrimage to Armenia with an unexpected turn of events. The group found themselves trapped in the Sheremetyevo International Airport of Moscow, as a result of a thunderstorm that led the airlines to cancel all incoming and outgoing flights. A total of 35 hours elapsed without any answers or movement, but by God’s graces the group was finally given a flight to depart Russia and arrive in the Fatherland of Hayastan peacefully.

Upon arriving in Armenia, the group wasted no time in following the schedule put together by the CYMA committee. A special trip to Echmiadzin had been arranged to meet with the Catholics of all Armenians, His Holiness Karekin II; a blessed opportunity that past CYMA groups had experienced as well. CYMA, alongside with the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America had the privilege of discussing the importance of having an unfazed faith with all of the challenges that the modern world brings to the youth. His Holiness spoke about what makes a pilgrimage to Armenia meaningful and how the youth of the Armenian diaspora can contribute to help their homeland.

CYMA participant, Victoria Amran says, “Visiting Armenia was a blessing. Learning about my homeland in contrast to walking on our lands, breathing our air, and being with my fellow brothers and sisters was an incomparable experience. It was an emotional journey filled with a renewal of spirit, faith in Christ and love for our people.”

Together, the group stayed in Armenia for a month visiting renowned monasteries and monuments such as Geghard, the Garni temple, Amberd, Khor Virap, Dilijan, Sevanavank, Noravank, Tatev, Artsakh and helped re-build a home for a family while partaking in community service work all throughout rural villages in Armenia.

Participants engaged in internships pertaining to their disciplines in school such as political science, engineering, education and medicine. CYMA participant Sophie Solakian said, “The experience I had with the children of the Ghoanj Youth Center in Nork Marash was indescribable. These children had golden hearts, and were so eager to learn the English language during the sessions that Gayane and I held together. I couldn’t be more thankful for CYMA for giving me the opportunity to go to Armenia and teach English alongside my close friend.”

During their month long voyage, one week was dedicated to staying in the village of Tsovniar with Father Gevork Ter-Barseghyan and his generous family. The week consisted of working to renovate the local youth center in the village, funded by CYMA. Participants re-painted the playground, did some gardening work, and played with the local children of the village during their breaks.

Participant Jacqueline Karakas said, “The experience I had in Armenia was unlike any other experience I had encountered during my previous 3 trips to Armenia. I embraced the generosity of our host families; they were all very respectful and treated us all like family with love in their hearts. I thoroughly enjoyed all the children I had the opportunity to work with, it was a joy to see their smiling faces when we would make art together.”

Our young Armenians journey ended with yet one last project with, “The Fuller Center for Housing Armenia,” where CYMA helped mark the construction of the 600^th house for the Fuller Center Organization. Located in Dvin Village in the Ararat region, CYMA and Fuller Center worked to help the Minasyan family build a home of their own from scratch. United, the home was to be built for the family in no time.

Members of CYMA spent their final day visiting Tsitsernakaberd, and the Armenian Genocide museum. Tears were shed, and prayers were lead by Der Krikor, as participants reflected on their own family’s history, and the significance behind being descendants of Armenian Genocide survivors.

Fellow CYMA participant Mary Muradyants concluded our travels best when she spoke on her connection with the Armenian Genocide museum. “To conclude the trip, we visited Tsitsernakaberd and the Armenian Genocide museum which made me grasp that the blood that runs through our veins is a rare commodity that was fought to be kept and passed down. Therefore it is our responsibility to embody Armenia in its entirety-- in its warmth, its perseverance, and its undying strife to survive and become a better Armenia. To spend one month in Armenia, means to be immersed within your culture and faith for the rest of your life, truly, and unforgettable experience.”