Pilgrimage Tour to Armenia with Sati includes:
Day 1
Meeting and greeting at the airport. Christianity was proclaimed as the state
the religion of Armenia in 301 A trip to the Holy center of Armenia to the town of
Echmiadzin, historical Armenia. Visiting the First Cathedral of Saint Echmiadzin
founded in 303, the churches of St. Hripsime, St. Gayane the temple of Zvartnots
( temple of “Celestial Angels”) VII century.
Visiting Museums and Treasury of St. Echmiadzin, where the guests will see a piece of
Noah’s Ark, the lance by which a roman warrior pierced the body of the crucified Christ,
relics of Apostles and Saints, a relic from the cross of the Lord, and many others.
Participation in the daily or solemn divine services in accordance with the church
calendar. O/N Yerevan. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 2
Visiting the religious monuments of the capital city Yerevan. Historical review.
On the ruins of the Erebuni fortress (Arin Berd hill), you will find the remains of the temples
in honor of the gods of the Urartean pantheon (VIII century BC.) with opulent mural
paintings. Though the ancient Christian churches in the territory of Yerevan have been
destroyed, there are several churches that still survived, founded on the relics of the first
Christian martyrs – churches of Zoravor, St. Hovhannes, St. Sargis, and others.
The guests have the opportunity to participate in the evening divine liturgy in any of the
above-mentioned churches. O/N Yerevan. Dinner and overnight in a hotel.
Day 3
Visiting Ararat valley. A visit to Khor Virap Monastery “deep pit”. According to
Armenian historian Agatangeghos (5th c.) the future first patriarch of the Armenian
Apostolic Church, Grigor Lusavorich was imprisoned in this dungeon for 13 years.
The monastery is several hundred meters away from the border between Armenia and
Turkey, on the higher, left bank of the Arax river. From here opens a panoramic view of
Mount Ararat. Noravank monastery
O/N Yerevan. Dinner and overnight in a hotel.
Day 4
Excursion in Matenadaran – the depositary of numerous ancient manuscripts.
A trip to Kotayk Province with a visit to Garni castle (III c. BC- XIII c.AD) – the summer
residence of Armenian kings and the pagan temple of Sun built by Armenian king Trdat
Arshakuni (Arshakid) in 77 as well as other architectural monuments.
The history of religion. Visiting the Monastery of Geghard (Monastery of the Lance, XII
– XIII cc.). The name of Geghard is connected with the biblical lance which was
preserved here. As it is mentioned in the Bible, by this lance a roman warrior pierced the
body of the crucified Christ. Later the lance was brought to Armenia by St. Thaddeus and
Bartholomew. (What is believed to be a remnant of the lance is preserved in the museum
at Holy Echmiadzin).
Armenian Sharakans (sacred songs) will be performed in Geghard, some halls of which
possess exceptional acoustics. Dinner and O/N in hotel Yerevan.
Day 5
A trip to the «blue pearl of Armenia» – Lake Sevan which is situated at an altitude
of about 1900 meters above sea level. Visiting the IX c. monasteries Sevanavank,
Hayravank.Visiting the Monastery of Haghartsin which is nestled in thick lush foliated
woods of the Tavush region. Religious and secular edifices, the royal graveyard,
inscriptions on the walls, and stone crosses made in the VII-XIII centuries reflect the history,
religious life, architecture, and culture of Medieval Armenia. The next route will lead to
Goshavank Monastery in XII-XIII centuries. A trip to Tsaghkadzor resort with a visit to
Kecharis Monastery. In the 12th and 13th centuries, Kecharis was a major religious center
of Armenia and a place of higher education. There opens a spectacular view on the
Monastery from the slopes of Mount Teghenis where the guests can climb by taking a
funicular (upon wish).
O/N in Yerevan.
Day 6
Visiting Haghpat Monastery (X-XIV cc.) – a medieval Armenian monastery
complex in Lori province. Haghpat monastery was called the Holy Cross church. Holy
water fills the small pool in the church. Believers say this water has curative qualities for
people with heart conditions.
Visiting Sanahin Monastery – an outstanding monument of medieval Armenian
the architecture of X- XIVcc., which was a religious and cultural center in the period of
Kiurikid kingdom (X-XIIcc.) in medieval Armenia.
Proceeding to Alaverdi – a mining and industrial town, situated at the bottom of the
Debed gorge.
Dinner and O/N in hotel (Lori region)
Day 7
Proceeding to Aragatsotn region with a visit to Saghmosavank Monastery (XII-
XIIIcc). A wonderful view over the gorge of the Kasakh river. On the highway, where the
road turns to the mountains there will be a stopover to see the Monuments of the Armenian
alphabet. Dinner and O/N in Hotel Yerevan.
Day 8
Departure.
