The 12th day and the final day of Johnny Mouradian’s road trip through Armenia was spent in Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Vagharshapat a place of deep spiritual and historical significance.
This was a 12-day road trip that began on August 11th and finished on August 22nd. In an interview with Aravot.am, co-founder of the Armenian Lacrosse Federation, coach Johnny noticed some symbolic in his trip dates: “What is interesting is that each day of the trip naturally lined up with the number of the day. August 11th was the first day, August 12th was the second day and so on, until August 22nd became the twelfth day. This was not something that was planned or designed beforehand. It just sort of fell into place”.
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And as the journey unfolded, the number 12 began to take on a deeper meaning. It brought to mind the 12 disciples. Each day, Coach Johnny visited a new location in Armenia and shared a short, under-one-minute Bible reading video from that site. His goal is simple: to inspire Armenians to bring a friend or family member to church-not only this Sunday, but every Sunday.
We asked coach Johnny, if he remembered the day when the idea of taking this road trip was first suggested and what that conversation was like. He explained: “When Khachkar Studios and I first started talking about my trip to Armenia, we realized that I was going to be traveling all over the country. We thought, why not make it a Biblical road trip? And I said, yes. I always get excited about doing something that connects with our faith and our churches.”
Did he believe he would succeed? He answered: “You have to believe, and you have to have the courage to do what you feel is right. You know, I’m wearing a shirt that says, “Jesus lives, come to church”. I’ll walk somewhere, people will look at me and some will smile. Then I’ll get into a taxi and see a cross on it. All of those these things become part of the journey. They make you more aware of your faith.”
We also asked him about his impressions of Etchmiadzin. “It was probably my fourth time visiting Etchmiadzin, but having the opportunity to read the Bible there, right in front of the cathedral and to look at the church as I was reading the passage for that day, was a highlight for me. It was a very special way to finish the 12-day road trip. I think what is also really interesting is that the number 12 was never planned. It simply came into the journey. The trip began on the 11th and ended on the 22nd, making it exactly 12 days. And on that 12th day, we found ourselves in Etchmiadzin, reading the Bible in front of the cathedral. It felt like a meaningful way to bring the journey to a close”,- coach Johnny answered.
The reading comes from Galatians 3:29: “My point is this: As long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything. But he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. In the same way, we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law”.
When coach Johnny first began the journey, he was excited and enthusiastic, but along the way he discovered that the trip would teach him even more about Armenia than he had expected.
Mr. Mouradian had first visited Armenia 32 years ago with Fr. Shnork Souin, with whom they had brought lacrosse to Armenia. He returned in 2023, again in 2024-twice and then in 2025. Yet he felt that this Biblical road trip brought him closer to Armenia in a new and deeper way. Traveling to so many special places made him realize how many people from around the world come to Armenia to see the historic and sacred places that are part of the Armenia’s heritage.
For coach Johnny, these places speak not only of Armenia’s history but also of its faith. They reflect the heritage of people who have remained Christian and who believe in Jesus. Each destination seemed to carry a connection to that faith, making the journey much more than simply a trip around the country.
He also realized that even 12 days were not enough to experience everything Armenia has to offer. In fact, he said he could probably spend three months in Armenia on a 90-day Biblical road trip, because there are still so many places he has not seen or experienced.
With every visit to Armenia, coach Johnny continues to learn more-not only about the country, but also about the Armenian language and the people he meets along the way. Many of the people he has met have become lifelong friends. He has also come to appreciate how learning the language can break down the barrier that language sometimes creates.
When people realize that he is making an effort to learn Armenian, they are happy and encouraging. They thank him, welcome him, and express their appreciation that a Canadian Armenian is learning the language. For Mr. Mouradian, these moments have become an important reminder of what Armenians around the world can share with one another. He believes that part of this connection is about returning to church and returning to faith—to go to church, to bring a friend or family member along, and to become part of a larger movement.
And after completing the 12-day Biblical road trip, coach Johnny feels grateful to be part of that movement: a movement that brings people back to their faith, back to their churches and closer to one another.
Tatev HARUTYUNYAN
