SYDNEY: Accompanied by Galstaun College Principal Kaylar Michaelian and Armenian language teacher Arpy Tavitian, twelve of the current Year 11 students undertook the long journey to Armenia as part of the "Pilgrimage to Armenia" annual excursion.

The group left Sydney on Monday 27 September and arrived in Yerevan via Dubai on Tuesday 28 September. The students were greeted by the friendly staff of Travel Café - Yerevan who is hosting them during their fortnight's stay in Armenia.

In the six short days students have had a vast and varied array of visits and experiences. As has now become customary the pilgrimage began with a visit to the Armenian Genocide Memorial Monument at Dzidzernagapert. In an emotional few hours the students laid flowers at the eternal flame and toured the Genocide Memorial Museum where they received extensive information about the tragic fate of their forebears.

That afternoon the students were welcomed to Armenia by the Hon. Hranush Hakopyan, Republic of Armenia Minister for the Diaspora. The Minister spent an hour with the students and spoke with them at length about their responsibilities to the Armenian community in Sydney and of their duties to Australia and Armenia.

In a jam-packed program students have already visited the Institute of Ancient Manuscripts - Matenadaran, the pagan temple at Garni, the monasteries at Geghard, Kecharis and Sevan, the resort area of Tsaghkadzor and the breathtaking lake Sevan.

On Sunday 3 October students attended Mass and received communion at Holy Etchmiadzin. They were ecstatic in seeing their previous religious education teacher, Father Vartan Navasardyan.

Hayr Sourb welcomed the students at the Mother See and spent an hour with them in his office reminiscing of his time with them at Galstaun College. It was indeed an moving reunion.

The Pilgrimage will continue for another week with many more meetings, experiences and visits in Armenia and also Artsakh.