On the eighth day of coach Johnny’s Biblical road trip, the journey continued through the rugged and breathtaking landscape of Armenia, leading him toward one of the country’s most sacred treasures – Geghard Monastery. As the road climbed through the mountains, the ancient surroundings seemed to tell a story of faith, perseverance, and devotion. Here, history and God’s Word came together in a remarkable setting, reminding travelers that the paths of faith often lead to places of profound beauty and spiritual significance.
Geghard was not simply another destination on coach Johnny’s journey. Carved into the cliffs of the Azat River Gorge, this ancient monastery offered a glimpse into Armenia’s deep Christian heritage.
Johnny Mouradian was the main driving force behind bringing lacrosse to Armenia. He has extensive experience in the sport at virtually every level, from middle and high school to college, professional, and national teams, in both field and box lacrosse.
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Johnny Mouradian, co-founder of the Armenian Lacrosse Federation, shared his impressions of Geghard Monastery in an interview with Aravot.am, reflecting on both the beauty of the ancient monastery and the Biblical reading that accompanied his eighth day.
For this day of the Biblical road trip, the reading came from Luke 2, recounting the birth of Jesus: “Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David to be registered with Mary, who was betrothed to him and was pregnant. And while they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth, and she gave birth to her firstborn son, wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”- Luke 2
Mr. Mouradian said the passage was especially appropriate for his visit to Geghard. Being inside the ancient monastery and seeing the different ways the light entered through the stone openings was deeply inspiring to him. He described the experience almost as an image of Christ coming down while the visitor climbs upward-a movement that made the Biblical reading feel particularly meaningful in that sacred space.
He also remembered a previous visit to Geghard with Fr. Shnork Souin, who played an important role in bringing lacrosse to Armenia and his wife, when they sang inside the monastery. The memory remained special to Mr. Mouradian and on this visit he found himself hoping to hear someone singing again. Although the monastery was quiet, that silence brought its own sense of peace.
Mr. Mouradian walked through the monastery, climbed upstairs, and reached a khachkar, where the experience became especially touching. He recalled how peaceful and respectful everyone was inside. He also lit five candles, each representing different people and families who were important to him.
Another moment that stayed with him was seeing a priest speaking with a small family. These simple scenes, together with the ancient stones and quiet atmosphere, made the visit an emotional journey for coach Johnny.
Mr. Mouradian was also moved by the extraordinary construction of Armenia’s churches and monasteries. Looking at the massive stones high in the mountains, he wondered how people centuries ago were able to transport and shape such enormous pieces of rock with the technology available to them.
“How did they get the rock up upon the mountains? How did they cut the rock? They sacrificed, they raised money, they had to build a church, and they did it for us, for the next generation. So we can’t let them down. Because if we don’t go to church, then churches will be closed, and the next step will be that we lose our heritage and identity”,-he said, reflecting on the remarkable skill and determination behind these sacred buildings.
The white cross standing on the hillside also caught his attention. For Mr. Mouradian, it became another powerful visual reminder of the Christian faith that has endured throughout Armenia’s long history.
This was not Mr. Mouradian’s first encounter with Geghard. He had visited the monastery for the third time, having first been there 32 years earlier and returning again in 2023. Yet each visit offered something new to notice and appreciate.
On the eighth day of the Biblical road trip, the reading from Luke 2-the story of Mary giving birth to Jesus-found a meaningful setting among the ancient stones of Geghard. The light entering the monastery, the candles, the khachkar, the white cross on the mountain and the peaceful presence of worshippers all became part of a deeply personal reflection on God’s Word and the enduring Christian heritage of Armenia.
As always, Coach Johnny’s message was precise: “Bring a friend, bring a family member to church.”
Tatev HARUTYUNYAN
