Vassula’s visit to Armenia

On Friday, May 18th, Vassula Ryden and I departed from Athens for Yerevan in Armenia.  Yerevan is the capital and largest city of Armenia as well as one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. Situated along the Hrazdan River, Yerevan is the administrative, cultural, and industrial center of the country. It has been the capital since 1918, and also serves as the seat of the Araratian Pontifical Diocese; the largest diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church and one of the oldest dioceses in the world.

Even though Armenia is only a three hour flight by plane from Athens, we spent the whole day travelling as there was no direct flight to Armenia.  We ended up arriving in Yerevan very late around midnight, at 23.55 pm.   Upon our arrival we were warmly welcomed by the True Life in God organizers in Armenia (Andranik, Lusine,  Sasun & Marina, Gagik-Sima-Luanna, Gayane, Robert , Gayane and Aram) but also by Arpy, Sevan, Arthur and Aram & Meline, who came from USA to assist the organizers.    Vassula was given some lovely bouquets of flowers and a heartfelt appreciation by all for her visit in Armenia.

We were also very happy to see at the airport Charbel (cameraman) and Lea Maamari (reporter) from the Lebanese TV channel “Tele Lumiere” who came to Armenia to cover Vassula’s mission and broadcast it on their TV and their social media, and at the same time produce a documentary about the Churches in Armenia and the current Christianity in Armenia. 

On our way to the hotel Arpy informed us of the many obstacles that the organizers encountered by the high hierarchy of the Armenian Church and discussed with us her concern whether this would prevent people from coming to the meeting.  She also shared with us the efforts that were done by the organizing team in Armenia for the success of the meeting. 

Even though there was negativity from the high hierarchy of the Church, God is always faithful.  We were informed before even going to Armenia that when His Grace Archbishop Aris Shirvanian found out about Vassula’s visit in Armenia he requested that he meets us and have a private audience with us.   We were very happy to hear that, as we have missed the company of Archbishop Shirvanian, since due to heath issues he has not being able to attend our latest Pilgrimages.  Arpy informed us that His Grace would meet us for breakfast in the morning. 

We were both looking forward to our meeting with Archbishop Shirvanian, so the next day when we met him, both Vassula and myself were delighted to see him.  We shared our news as there were some years since we last met.  He also informed us that he was planning to attend Vassula’s meeting.   We also had the pleasure to meet his nephew and Suzy Mardirosian who has assisted Archbishop Shirvanian in establishing a Foundation in his name, to supports poor people and those who do not have water in villages in the country.  In addition we also met Fr. Dajad Davidian, an Armenian priest and good friend of Archbishop Shirvanian.  Vassula shared with him her mission and revelation as he showed an interest to learn about the TLIG Messages and True Life in God. 

After our meeting we departed with Arpy and Sevan for a city tour as we had some free time until Vassula’s meeting which would take place at 3.00 pm at the Elite Plaza Business Center in Yeneman.  Vassula, who had visited Armenia some years ago, commented that she was glad to see that the city has developed.  Yerevan is marked by grand Soviet-era architecture but also has its own unique style. 

During our way to the venue for the meeting, Arpy got a call from the organizers informing her that the hall was full and that about 500 people were there!  This was really amazing taking into consideration all the obstacles that the organizers encountered.    The program had already started with a 15 minute introductory video of Vassulas mission, and a choir performance until Vassula’s arrival.  We got to the venue about 2.30pm, where Vassula again was warmly welcomed by the organizers and audience.  

Marina from the organizing group of TLIG Armenia gave an introductory about Vassula and then gave the floor to Vassula.  Vassula spoke for about an hour about our Lord’s love hymn and teachings.  After her speech Vassula thanked His Grace Archbishop Shirvanian for being there and for his many years of friendship and support, as well as the organizers for preparing this event and the prayer groups and people who attended it.

After Vassula’s meeting I had the opportunity to interview a few people and asked them about their impression after hearing Vassula’s speech.   Here are a few testimonies:

Stephen: “How shall I say it, what I felt was calmness, calmness came upon me.  It was the true Word of God, a real genuine love”

Karel: “I got a very good impression.  I had never heard about Vassula, only recently when they told me about the meeting.  I just heard about her so I was happy to come and see her.  The messages penetrated in my heart and I felt everything through my heart”. 

Arvasic: “This was the first time I heard Vassula, not today but very recently.  I know people who read her books and admire her so I came along. I had put a certain distance between me and the Love that was discussed today here, and it became aflame, anew.  I knew it from my childhood but now this experience brought me back to my senses.”

Gohar: “I have known about Vassula for a long time.  I have heard many preachers before but hers is the most outstanding, because it is straightforward and simple.”

Annie: “Wherever the Lord is there is love.  There is no love without light.  It is not the first time I heard about Vassula.  I read her books and I am aware of her.   Just the way she looks, even the age does not show, her image, her soul is so bright that you do not see the person.”

Erine: “What impressed me most is the direct communication with God without intermediaries. The words are very simple, very direct.

Maria: “What impressed me was Vassula’s peace. Her peace transferred upon me because I came here in faith already.  I had read her books in advance and I wanted to come and listen to her speech.” 

Marlet: “The thing that impressed me most is that she found a shortcut to God.  She helps you to get to know God.”

Diana: “I had overwhelming impressions because it was vibrant, very human.  It taught us what we ought to be doing in our daily life, and it will be nice to see her again”.

Another participant said (did not give name): “I have read her books.  What impressed me was that we always have to think that God is sweet, and that you have to enter into the love of His Heart.”

Marshel: “I am aware of her messages since 2007 already.  When she came here the first time I was unaware of it.  I was from a different confession, but gradually I felt that I had to return back to Christianity so I was thinking which Church to choose.  A woman gave me the 1^st volume so, I read it.   I asked her ‘where did you get this honey’.  I went and bought the second volume.  There were phone numbers and they told me that they belong to the Apostolic Church, so our Lord led me there.  It is brilliant.  There were other people I had given the book to read five years ago.   I had not seen them since; I called them, however, and told them to come to this event.  There was an elderly woman who came from a Protestant Church.  Her face was radiant like a sun.  I approached her and I asked her ‘do you remember I had given you the messages 5 years ago’, and she told me that these messages are true genuine honey for her.  She left radiant from this meeting.”

After her speech Vassula had an interview at the same Center but at another meeting room, with a Private TV channel called “Geographic TV” by a reporter called Karen Tovmasyan.  The interview lasted for about half an hour.  

After that Vassula met with a young mother who patiently waited until Vassula was free, as she wanted her sick child (with cancer) to be blessed and prayed over by Vassula.  Vassula gladly accepted to do so and they met in private. 

Our day ended with a pleasant dinner with some members of the organizing team.  We all commented that the local organizers of TLIG Armenia had done an excellent job, which resulted to the great success of the meeting.  We were also very pleased that the meeting was covered by two TV channels (“Geographic TV” and “Tele Lumiere”), and would be shown on their social media.

Arpy and Sevan informed us that the next day we would visit two important monasteries.  We would first go for Holy Liturgy at Saghmosavank Monastery and then visit the Khor Virap Monastery.  Arpy also commented that the next day was the feast of the Holy Pentecost for the Armenian Church, a very special feast, and that when the organizers were looking for a date to invite Vassula they had not realized that the meeting would be just one day before the feast of the Holy Pentecost. Nothing happens by chance.

We pray that the Holy Spirit will cover Armenia and that Vassula’s witnessing will bear many fruits to this wonderful country.

The next day after breakfast we departed for Saghmosavank Monastery, or as it is also called “the Monastery of the Psalms”; a 13th-century Armenian monastic complex located in the village of Saghmosavan in the Aragatsotn Province of Armenia.  “Tele Lumiere TV” and “Geographic TV” came along with us, as they wanted to record Vassula’s visit to these sights.   

Saghmosavank Monastery is situated at the top of a precipitous gorge carved by the Kasagh river.  Their silhouettes dominate the adjacent villages and rise sharp against the background of the mountains crowned by