Hundreds of Armenian youth from around the globe converged on their homeland last week for the Armenian Church Youth Organization World Pilgrimage—an historic gathering marking the organization’s 25th year.
The pilgrimage and conference, which ran July 2-7, was built around the theme “The Christian Family: The Anchor of Armenian Identity.” Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, spiritual leader of ACYOWorld and Primate of the Western Diocese of America, welcomed the young souls representing Armenian Church jurisdictions across Armenia and the diaspora.
His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, blessed the participants during the opening ceremonies on July 3. “Today’s youth face many spiritual and moral challenges,” the Catholicos said, “as secular and globalizing forces present all manner of temptations—often deliberately—to estrange them from their national traditions, ancestral heritage, and sacred values.”
He went on to exhort the youth to “be protectors of our sacred inheritance as children of the Armenian Church. You have grown up under its care, and been nourished by love for our homeland. Take an active role in your diocesan and community life, and commit yourselves to the renewal of our national and ecclesiastical mission.”
Some 20 young people from the Eastern Diocese traveled to Armenia as pilgrims, under the leadership of Fr. Hratch Sargsyan, the Diocese’s Director of Ministries and pastor of Cleveland’s St. Gregory of Narek Church.
The group was delighted to spend time with the Primate of their Diocese, Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan, who was in Armenia to take part in a meeting of the Supreme Spiritual Council at Holy Etchmiadzin.
“I’m proud to have these youth from the Eastern Diocese participating alongside hundreds of their peers for this week for prayer, fellowship, learning, and spiritual renewal in our sacred homeland,” Bishop Mesrop said. “They’ve been visiting holy sites, engaging in meaningful conversations led by our clergy, and received the special blessing of our Catholicos.”
He added: “Let us continue to pray for our youth—our future—as they draw strength from their roots, and deepen their faith on this unforgettable journey.”
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