The Armenian Diocese in Georgia organized a two-day pilgrimage to the historical places of Western Armenia within the framework of marking the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide.

On June 24, 2015, under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Ter Narek Ghushchyan from the Saint Gevorg Vicarial Church, 40 pilgrims headed to the cities of Kars, Sarighamish and Ani . Many of them were the descendants of the Genocide survivors, who found shelter in Georgia, especially in Tbilisi.

The purpose of the pilgrimage was to set foot in the lands, from where our ancestors were forcibly removed and to pay tribute to the memory of the Genocide victims. The prayer read in the churches (located in the lost homeland) was like relieving the craving the martyrs would have had by having their descendants take a walk in the homeland they lost 100 years ago.

During the pilgrimage, the believers visited the Kars Fortress with its museum pieces, the ruined house of Yeghishe Charents, and the ruins of Ani – one of the 12 capitals of Armenia. Under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Ter Narek Ghushchyan, the pilgrims prayed in the Saint Apostolic Church of the XX century in Kars, lit candles and participated in the religious ceremony. In Ani, the pilgrims received the Communion after the prayer in the Saint Grigor Lusavorich Church (Saint Gregory the Illuminator). The pilgrimage was very impressive and full of emotions.

The Armenian Diocese in Georgia continues organizing pilgrimages to the historical places of Western Armenia within the framework the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide.