By Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian

he very first spiritual expression of the 17th Centenary of Cristian Armenia is the rebirth of the concept of pilgrimage. The Armenians are an ancient people - a nation of pilgrims, with many holy sites, a great many of which are in ruins today. However, the pilgrim spirit still simmers in our soul. Bequeathed to us are many pilgrim songs and our Armenian lexicology is rich with words related to pilgrims and pilgrimages.

The word pilgrim is in the root of the Armenian being. During this 1700th commemoration, our ambitious schedule of pilgrimages started in August, 1997, on the Feast of St. Asdvadzadzin, and continues throughout 2001 and beyond. Armenians will go from their holy sites in the diaspora to the Fatherland. From Souchava Monastery to the Crimea, to the Holy Land of Christ and the exiled Holy See of Sis, to Kandzasar, and the barren deserts of Dehr Zor, all the way to Khor Virab and Holy Etchmiadzin.

This is the Armenian's journey.

But who is a pilgrim? What is a pilgrimage, and where are the holy places?

pilgrim is a journey undertaken, from religious motivation to a sacred place. It is a pact, an oath, a pledge, surrender, suffering, and the happiness of victory.

People are the pilgrims and pilgrimages provide people the ability to freely move about and advance. Going on a pilgrimage, resulting in self-graciousness and self-understanding is the right of all people.

Early man walked primarily towards the securing of food. Today, also, humankind is on a quest, often without thought, walking towards the workplace in pursuit of worldly pleasures. Sometimes we walk withou direction; sometimes we walk to break the monotony of daily life. We seek other people, other worlds. All of this is a journey. However, when this journey is taken in order to improve oneself, when there is a quest of things spiritual, then the journey becomes a pilgrimage. As pilgrims our steps are no longer a simple journey, but rather an oath. Pilgrims go from place to place in order to reach a more desirable place, and when an inner journey joins with a physical journey, the journey becomes spiritual.

The pilgrim Christian is that person who knows that his condition in this world is not summed up, but rather life on earth is a journey through the church towards heavenly Jerusalem.

The Christian is a foreigner in this world no matter where he or she resides - a foreigner or a fallen angel who dreams of heaven.

The journey of pilgrims has three important aspects:

• First, the holiness of our destination. We are going towards a place that is a holy place.
• Second, we must journey towards that holy place. Pilgrimage signifies movement.
• Third, our goal must be to secure spiritual gains by living in a spiritual manner.

The Armenians are an ancient people; they too have their holy sites, traditions, songs, and poems. They have made discoveries of relics of saints, have inspiring springs, and holy fountains, and the summit of their mountains. St. Illuminator himself, returning from Caesera brought the remains of St. John the Baptist and St. Athanasius, setting the foundation for a great many monasteries: St. Garabed of Mush, St. Tadeh, Maratouk, St. Nishan of Varak, Etchmiadzin, Havoutz Tar. The Armenians also went on pilgrimages to Jerusalem leaving an indelible imprint, the expression of supreme faith and prayers.

During the 7th century there were 70 Armenian monasteries in the Holy Land. Armenian and foreign historians relate that in the 5th century there were many Armenian pilgrims. St. Cyril relates seeing 400 Armenians on the road to Jerusalem and the ancient historian Yeghishe writes of 800 Armenian pilgrims who ascended Mt. Sinai. In the same century, on their way home many Armenian pilgrims stopped at St. Simeon the Stylite Monastery. Many who went to the Holy Land chose to remain there in Jerusalem, the deserts of Jordan, or the mountain of Sinai.

Pilgramages to Jerusalem continued for centuries and now we see the enviable position of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, who along with Greeks and Latins, is the protector of the Holy Land. The Armenian Patriarchate has for centuries kept alive the concept of pilgrimages, assisting those coming from Cilicia and Armenia, many of whom rested in popular hotels along the way and whose memory remains in Aleppo, Latakia, Beirut, Damascus, and Jobbe. The picture of Armenian pilgrims being greeted royally and escorted to the church, where the chasuble cloak is draped over the shoulders of the husband and the cover of the Chalice placed upon the head of the wife. The dust of the Holy Land on their feet is kissed, and they are honoured with a special name: Mahdesi (Hadji).

"Ah, for those days!" Hamasdegh would someday write. Now as we prepare to again witness the journey of the Armenian pilgrim, the memory of Hovhannes Toumanian joins us in song:

Go in peace, dear Pilgrim.
Blessings to you, Armenian Pilgrim. 

Because: