EASTER IN ARMENIA

Arrival at Zvartnots International airport and transfer to the hotel.

Holy Thursday
The denomination of Holy Thursday in almost all Christian denominations indicates the Thursday preceding Easter Sunday.
Breakfast. After a short rest, the excursion begins in the city of Yerevan. The city of Yerevan was founded by King Argishti in 782 BC. Visit the Institute of Ancient Manuscripts – Matenadaran. Continuation with the visit of the Museum and the Memorial of the victims of the Genocide. Then visit the church of St Gregory Illuminator to participate in the liturgy of Holy Thursday and the impressive foot washing ceremony, which takes place in memory of the gesture made by Jesus during the Last Supper. The end of the day we will spend visiting Caskad admiring the beautiful view of the city of Yerevan. Welcome dinner at a traditional restaurant, where we will also taste the bread “Bagharj”, which, according to tradition, must be prepared on Holy Thursday. Overnight in Yerevan (B / – / D)

Holy Friday
Holy Friday is the Friday before Christian Easter. This day Christians commemorate the passion and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Breakfast. Full day excursion to the south of Armenia which will start with departure for the Ararat region to visit the Monastery of Khor Virap, a famous pilgrimage site, also visited by Pope John Paul II. The monastery stands on the place of imprisonment of St Gregory the Illuminator who intruduced Christianity into Armenia. “Khor Virap” means “deep ditch” where St. Gregoriy was also imprisoned. From the monastery perched on the hill you can enjoy a splendid view of the biblical Mount Ararat. Continue our tour to Noravank – a monastery of XII century situated among amazing sheer rocks on the bench of a twisty gorge. This is the only monastery where we may find a unique sculpture of Father God. Return to Yerevan. Visit to the church of St. Zoravor. Here you can participate in the liturgy. Of Holy Friday. Overnight in Yerevan. (B /-/-)

Holy Saturday
Holy Saturday is the liturgical day when Christian community recalles the descent of Lord Jesus Christ into hell.
We will drive to Lake Sevan which is one of the largest lakes in the world. It stands out with its sweet and astonishingly blue water. Here we can enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the beautiful lake. Then we will visit Sevanavank Monastery which is situated on Sevan Peninsula. There are 2 monasteries actually; one of them is destroyed but the other stands still. They have been built in the middle Ages, around 10th century. . Take trip to Garni. This Pagan Temple built in the 1st century AD. It is the only temple that has been preserved from the Pagan times in Armenia. It was devoted to the god Mihr, who was the god of cleanness. In 1679 it was destroyed by earthquake. In the 1975 the Temple was restored. Then we will continue our trip to Geghard Monastery. Its name came from the legendary lance that was used to pierce the body of Christ. It has been kept here for centuries. Though the exact foundation of the monastery is unknown, the present complex was built in the mid – 13th century. Afterwards we will visit a local house where you will have the chance to see and participate in the preparation of Armenian national bread: lavash. It is very thin, usually sold in very large forms. It is usually cooked in a ground oven: “tonir”. In 2015 it has been inscribed in UNESCO intangible heritage list. Here we will enjoy the “Armenian fast food” with lavash and cheese.Here you will have the opportunity to see how the Armenians dye Easter eggs and you too can participate and decorate the eggs. The egg symbolically represents a life that is born, the resurrection of Christ who begins a new life by opening it also to men. Return Yerevan. Armenian traditional Easter dinner in a beautiful restaurant. Overnight in Yerevan. (B / – / D).

Easter
Easter is the main celebration of Christianity. It recalls the resurrection of Jesus, which took place on the third day after his death on the cross, as stated in the Gospels.
Breakfast. Departure for Echmiadzin, the center of Armenian Apostolic church. Upon entering the city of Echmiadzin we will see a seventh century church of St Hripsime, which is famous for its classic Armenian architecture. Moving forward we will visit the Cathedral of Ejmiatsin, founded in 303, is the official residence of the Catholics of Armenia. Echmiadzin is a sacred place for Armenian people and a spiritual heart of Armenian Apostolic Church. We will have Easter liturgy in the cathedral with sacrament in the. Lunch at the local house, where you can prepare a typical dessert for the Easter table “Gata”. We’ll continue the trip to Zvartnots Temple, which was built on 7th century by Nerses Builder. Currently there are only ruins of Zvartnots, but which has not lost its mystery over the years. Both Ejmiatsin And Zvartnots are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Return Yerevan. Visit to the famous open-air market of contemporary arts “Vernissage”. Overnight in Yerevan. (B / L / -)