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It’s that time of year again!! If you’re 18 or older CYMA 2012 applications are waiting for you! Last year we had 22 participants, and this year we want more.

With the leadership of the clergy CYMA Pilgrims engage in many activities during the month program. They travel to the most beautiful spiritual and historical sites throughout Armenia and Artsakh.They visit historical landmarks such as the unique architectural construction of Geghard and Haghpat and spend a night at the majestic complex of Tatev Monastrey.

"CYMA is the most influential and spiritual journey in the life of our youth in the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church. This journey aims to transform the lives of our youth so that they are connected to the Creator, to their Motherland, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, to their history, culture and traditions. It is with this goal in mind that I have initiated CYMA as then the Primate of the Diocese of Canada. Remember: One journey to the holy land of your ancestral home is worth thousand sermons."

Abp. Hovnan Derderian

Primate of the Western Diocese

Sitting in my room in the month of June, so many things were running through my mind. College, getting all the classes, trying out for the college soccer team, and a month being gone from home. As the days of June went by, the big day was coming up. On June 28th I started packing, just throwing everything I saw in my room into my luggage. Two days later, I was sitting in an airport with about 20 other people from Arizona, and people from California, and we made the biggest bond anyone can make, a lifetime friendship threw all of us.

“I long, as does every human being, to be at home wherever I find myself”. As I think about the meaning of this quote, my mind rushes back to Armenia and is hit with waves of memories. Memories of the good times, the fun times, and of the friendships I have made that will last for the rest of my life. Being in Yerevan was an amazing experience. I was shocked by how modern it was, how beautiful the buildings were, the way people dressed, and the cars they drove.

Spending two nights at the vank you were named after has to be a true blessing. Last Thursday and Friday night we spent two nights at Tatevi Vank. My grandmother named me Tatevik after she had a vision of a young girl named Tatevik while spending a day at the vank. After hearing the story behind my name the first place I wanted to visit when coming to Armenia was Tatev. I never imagined that through God's will, CYMA would not only let me see this place, but also spend two nights.