Pilgrimage and religious tours to Armenia

Pilgrimage can be regarded as one of the earliest forms of travel. In the Christian tradition, the primary destination for pilgrimage was the Holy Land and other locations associated with biblical saints. In Armenia, Christian monuments, including temples, monasteries, small churches, and chapels, were typically constructed in remote mountainous regions for security reasons. Believers who sought to reach these sites were compelled to embark on long and arduous journeys, with the difficulty of the pilgrimage route imbuing the experience with added spiritual significance. Pilgrims would bring offerings and gifts to the church, often sacrificing roosters or lambs, the meat of which was then distributed. These acts were carried out both to seek blessings for their families and on important Christian holidays. Interestingly, places of pilgrimage extended beyond Christian shrines to encompass springs in mountains and caves, believed to possess healing waters, wish-fulfilling trees adorned with handkerchiefs, mountain peaks, and even the mountains themselves, such as Mount Ararat. These practices likely trace their origins to ancient pagan beliefs that evolved into folk traditions and rituals. To this day, many Christian believers undertake pilgrimage tours to Armenia, retracing the footsteps of the apostles. Legend has it that the apostles Thaddeus and Bartholomew played a pivotal role in spreading Christianity in Armenia, and pilgrims visit Mount Ararat as a symbol of humanity's salvation from the global flood. Interestingly, in the ancient epic of Gilgamesh, the protagonist embarks on an extensive journey—a pilgrimage—to a sacred northern mountain in search of the flower of eternity and the meaning of life. Mount Ararat is believed to be the mountain referred to in this epic. In recent years, tours to Western Armenia have assumed a pilgrimage significance for Armenians themselves. This region, now part of modern Turkey, was historically part of the Armenian kingdom of Hayk, and prior to the events of the 1915 genocide, it was predominantly inhabited by Armenians. These pilgrimage tours encompass visits to Armenian churches, cities, and other preserved monuments, providing a meaningful connection to their historical roots.