July 6: Today we went to Ashtarak, Oshagan, and Artashavan to see the Armenian letters. Then we drove to Vanadzor at night. We have been in Vanadzor helping out at the old age home. We have also visited the orphanage in Vanadzor, and the Vanadzor youth group has been helping us since we got in to make sure our stay is good. They have been going on our trips with us and helping out at the old age home as well with us.

July 8: Today we climbed up Kobayr and went to Kobayravank... with extremely beautiful scenery.

July 12: For the past 3 days, we have volunteered at the old age home in Vanadzor during the mornings and have toured the city of Vanadzor during the afternoons. We went to Haghpat, Odzun, & Sanahin monasteries to see the ancient heritage of the Armenian people. We were welcomed by the priest in Odzun to his house for lunch and spent time viewing the art gallery in the city center of Vanadzor.

After attending Divine Liturgy at the St. Gregory of Narek church in Vanadzor where we celebrated the Feast of the Transfiguration, we headed out to Dilidjan where we had lunch at a local woman's house. We then left and drove to Lake Sevan where we will be staying overnight.

July 11: We went to Haghartzin monastery. After we came back to the camp, we played Vartavar with the Vanadzor Armenian youth of the church. With the youth, we marinated khorovats and made a beautiful and delicious picnic outside in the BBQ grounds of the camp.

To Etchmiadzin they go!

July 4: The day started by walking over to the Matenadaran Library and Research Institute. There the group saw ancient manuscripts, withstanding the harsh history. The ink that was used in the manuscripts was made from natural material, like the red beetle that is only found in the Ararat Valley. Hundreds of years later we are still able to see the original pictures within the manuscript. After the tour by a local guide, we loaded onto the bus and journeyed to Garni, where the group saw the only surviving pre-Christian Pagan Temple that was built during the Hellenistic Era. On the same grounds was the original bathhouse. Inside the bathhouse was a partially surviving mosaic on the ground from the fourth century that had an interesting inscription, “All of this work has been done without any reward”. The origin of this quote has been debated on who put in there and in reference to what. The group headed out to Geghard where we had a nice lunch with a fantastic view of the mountains, and watched lavash being made. Our final stop of the day took us on a short trip over to Geghard church, cave monastery, which was carved into the mountainside during the 12th century A.D. 

July 5: The day started off at St. Hripsime Church which was erected on the site that Hripsime was martyred. Then a journey over to the Holy Mother See of Etchmiadzin where the group was received by the His Holiness Karekin II. He told the group about the progress made during his time as the Vehapar and allowed some time for questions. Badarak was attended at Holy Mother See, and then headed over to Gayane where they took communion. The group explored a little more around Etchmiadzin, and then headed to lunch at a Children’s Center where they had lunch in an exhibition of their art and was serenaded by traditional Armenian music.

And they're off!

July 1: The ASP 2015 group met in New York to begin the journey to Yerevan, Armenia. After 18 long hours, they finally arrived and began their trip by exploring the city of Yerevan.

July 3: Today the group was up early and ready to go! Anahit, the group tour guide, took them to their first stop, Mayr Hayastan (Mother Armenia). The group learned about the monument's history along with the symbolism that it provides to the Armenian people. While still in Yerevan the group went to Cascade to see the contemporary architectural pieces and amazing view from the top of the almost 600 step staircase. They then ventured to the Erebuni fortress and museum. They were able to look at ancient artifacts and the remains of the fortress dated as early as eight century B.C. After a delicious lunch at an authentic Armenian Middle Eastern restaurant, it was off to Dzidzernagapert, Armenian Genocide Memorial. The group ended with an emotional and sentimental visit to the monuments and the Armenian Genocide Museum.