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.