From 6 to 8 March, a three day Lenten retreat for the youth of the Armenian Apostolic Church in the Netherlands took place at a retreat center in Woudsend. The gathering brought together about sixty young Armenians from various parishes across the country for prayer, reflection, and fellowship in preparation for Easter.
The retreat was presided over by Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Pontifical Legate of the Armenian Church in Western Europe. The spiritual program was led by the dean of St. Nerses Armenian Seminary in New York Father Mardiros Chevian, accompanied y two seminarians, Shane Janian and Serge Demirbacak. Also present were three Armenian pastors serving in the Netherlands: Rev. Fr. Taron Tadevosyan, Rev. Fr. Mashtotz Baghdasaryan, and Rev. Fr. Serovpe Alanjian, who each contributed to the liturgical life and discussions throughout the weekend.
In his opening remarks, Archbishop Barsamian welcomed the young participants and invited them to live the retreat as a true spiritual journey. He reminded them that Lent is not merely a season of rules, but “a sacred opportunity to pause, to look within, and to draw nearer to God,” asking themselves: Who am I before God? How closely do I follow Christ?
The Archbishop expressed that during these days, young individuals would engage in a spiritual observance of Holy Week, reflecting on the events of Christ’s entry into Jerusalem, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection. This experience would encompass reading the Gospel and engaging in group prayers, while also fostering a stronger internalization of Christ’s presence within each participant. The goal, he emphasized, is “not only to know about Christ, but to know Him, to love Him, and to experience His presence” in daily life.
Acknowledging the real and complex challenges facing young people today, Archbishop Barsamian underlined that the Gospel speaks directly to their reality. Every choice to forgive, to tell the truth, and to serve others becomes a way of walking with the Lord and transforming ordinary days into holy ones. He encouraged the youth to approach the retreat with open minds and hearts, to be honest in prayer, to listen attentively to God’s word, and to let this time be “a turning point and a renewal” of their faith and identity as beloved children of God and members of the Armenian Church.
Throughout the retreat, the youth took part in a series of thematic presentations and group discussions designed to help them enter more deeply into the mystery of Holy Week and relate it to their own lives. Among the topics were:
“What is Holy Week for me?”
The Washing of the Feet and the Last Supper
Betrayal and the struggle to remain faithful
Christ’s last words on the Cross
Waiting for the Resurrection
The Cross and forgiveness
These sessions combined biblical reflection with open conversations about the realities young people face today. Participants were encouraged to share their own experiences, questions, and testimonies in small groups. Special time was set aside for personal reflections, during which the youth were invited to consider:
“What touched me most this weekend?”
“What helped me the most?”
“What am I taking away?”
“What is one concrete action I will take after this retreat?”
All of the young participants took an active role in the discussions and in the spiritual life of the retreat. Each day began and ended with common prayer services, during which traditional hymns and psalms of the Armenian Church were sung, creating an atmosphere of reverence and unity.
The retreat concluded on Sunday morning with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy (Holy Badarak) by Archbishop Khajag Barsamian. The youth participated prayerfully in the service. For many, this final liturgy was a moment of renewed faith and a deeper sense of belonging to the Armenian Church.
The Lenten youth retreat in the Netherlands prepared young Armenian Christians for Easter and fostered stronger connections within the diaspora. Through prayer, reflection, and community, they were reminded that to “walk Holy Week with the Lord” is to bring Christ’s light into their studies, friendships, families, and future vocations.
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