Armenian Charitable Organizations Unite Around the Tatev Pilgrimage for the Third Consecutive Year

TATEV, SYUNIK | May 30, 2026

For the third consecutive year, on the last Saturday of May and with the blessing of the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Tatev Pilgrimage has brought together prominent Armenian charitable, development, and community organizations, pilgrims, and clergy around prayer, spiritual renewal, remembrance, and good deeds.

The initiative was launched by the “We Are Our Mountains” Development Agency, founded by Ruben Vardanyan, and has evolved into a platform for cooperation where the spiritual journey continues through practical support for local communities, Syunik, and its people.

Organizations united around the Tatev Pilgrimage include the We Are Our Mountains Development Agency, the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), the Tufenkian Foundation, the Aznavour Foundation, the Armenian Relief Society (ARS), Orran NGO, the Tatev Municipality, Armenia Tree Project (ATP), the H. Hovnanian Family Foundation, the IDeA Foundation, the Wings of Tatev Ropeway, and the Tatev Revival Foundation.

This year, the pilgrimage was held under the theme “A Journey Toward Faith, Unity, and Creation.” Pilgrims traveled to Tatev along three different routes, paying homage at the holy sites of Vorotnavank Monastery, the Holy Savior Church of Svarants, and St. Minas Church in Old Halidzor.

All pilgrims gathered at the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul Cathedral of Tatev, where a joint prayer service was held with the blessing of His Grace Bishop Makar Hakobyan, Primate of the Diocese of Syunik. Prayers were offered for the repose of the souls of those who fell in wars, for the swift release of Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan, and for unity around spiritual values.

“One of our nation’s great benefactors is in captivity, and our entire elite is captive to our lack of faith and indifference. Because we have failed to love one another, we have lost much and will continue to lose more unless we awaken and come to our senses. It is essential that we pray for our unity and integrity, because the more we divide ourselves into opposing camps, the closer we move toward destruction,” noted His Grace Bishop Makar Hakobyan.

The co-organizers emphasized the importance of unity, noting that the cooperation formed around Tatev carries not only spiritual but also national significance.

“Unity is strength, and we must all work together toward our common goals—building a strong Armenia and creating or strengthening robust ties between Armenia and the Diaspora,” said Vasken Yacoubian, President of the Armenian Branch of AGBU and co-organizer of the pilgrimage.

“Fifteen charitable organizations joined this pilgrimage so that our people may become more united, deepen their reverence for God, and dedicate themselves to the protection and strengthening of the homeland, regardless of the challenges they face,” said Maro Keshishyan, Chairwoman of the Armenian Relief Society (ARS) Regional Executive of Armenia.

According to Grigori Martirosyan, Chief Executive Officer of the We Are Our Mountains Development Agency, “This pilgrimage demonstrates that when people and organizations unite around shared values, prayer can become action, and remembrance can become a force for shaping the future.”

The pilgrims’ visit to the new neighborhood being built in Svarants through the Tufenkian Foundation’s program illustrated how new life is taking shape alongside a historic sanctuary.

“I believe the village will gain new vitality through the resettlement of Artsakh Armenians, creating opportunities to preserve the school and implement various socio-economic development programs,” emphasized Aram Voskanyan, representative of the Tufenkian Foundation.

The pilgrimage also served as an opportunity to raise awareness about Artsakh’s spiritual heritage. Participants wore T-shirts featuring images of Artsakh’s sacred sites, emphasizing the urgent need to protect them.

“For us, this pilgrimage was also a prayer for the holy sites of Artsakh and a call not to forget and to safeguard our spiritual heritage,” said Artsakh native Armen Maghakelyan, who participated in the pilgrimage.

Each year, the pilgrimage supports a community-oriented project. This year’s initiative is the creation of the “Living Beehive” Educational Playground for the children of Tatev.

More information: pilgrimage2tatev.am