On the sixth day of his Biblical road trip to Armenia, Coach Johnny Mouradian spent the day at Saint Mesrop Mashtots Church in Oshakan. His Bible reading was from John 15, where Jesus speaks about the vine and the branches: “I am the true vine and my Father is the vine dresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit, he cuts away: and every branch that bears fruit, he cleans, prunes so that it may bring even more fruit. You are already clean, because of the word I have spoken to you. Abide in me and I in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it is established on the vine, likewise you cannot unless you are established on me. I am the vine, and you are the branches. The one who is established on me and I on him bears much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.”
In an interview with Aravot.am, Johnny Mouradian, co-founder of the Armenian Lacrosse Federation, explained why he chose this particular passage for the sixth day of his journey.
Read also
“The passage talks about the vine and the branches, and it was especially meaningful because I was there during the grape harvest. I thought this passage was very appropriate because it connected directly to what was happening around me. We were talking about the fruits and the vines, while seeing the grapes being harvested and the vines being cared for. God’s pruning of the vines also made the message feel more real and connected to the experience. I try to choose passages that describe what is happening around me when I travel, so that the Bible connects with where I am and what I am doing that day. Being in Armenia during the grape harvest made the message of the vine and the branches especially meaningful to me.”
During his visit to Oshakan, coach Johnny also met with many young people and had meaningful conversations with them. He filmed several videos with the youth, encouraging Armenians around the world to bring a friend or a family member to church.
The visit to Oshakan was another example of how Coach Johnny’s Biblical road trip connects Bible with the people, places, and experiences he encounters throughout Armenia.
Mr. Mouradian is currently on a 12-day road trip across Armenia, visiting 12 remarkable locations and sharing 12 daily Bible-reading videos across all six Armenian Lacrosse social media platforms from August 11 through August 22, 2026. The second annual Armenian Sixes Lacrosse Championships are also being held in Armenia during his visit.
Tatev HARUTYUNYAN
