The third day of the Armenian Lacrosse and Daily Bible Readings journey brought Coach Johnny Mouradian to Tsitsernakaberd, Armenia’s national memorial honoring the 1.5 million victims of the Armenian Genocide.
Few places in Armenia invite reflection quite like Tsitsernakaberd. The eternal flame, surrounded by twelve towering basalt slabs, stands as a place of remembrance for lives lost, families uprooted, and a nation forever changed. Every year, hundreds of thousands of Armenians and visitors from around the world make the pilgrimage to honor the victims and reaffirm the importance of memory, truth, and justice.
Against that backdrop, Coach Mouradian reflected on a passage from Mark 3 that speaks to the condition of the human heart.
“Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they utter. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin.” (Mark 3:28-29)
Jesus spoke these words after religious leaders accused Him of performing miracles through an unclean spirit. Rather than recognizing God’s work before their eyes, they deliberately rejected it. Their hearts had become so hardened that they chose denial over truth.
The passage is often one of the more difficult teachings in the Gospels, but its warning is clear. God’s mercy is abundant, and forgiveness is available to those who seek it. The danger lies in becoming so resistant to truth that one’s heart refuses to recognize God’s presence altogether.
Standing at Tsitsernakaberd, those words carry additional weight.
The Armenian Genocide remains one of history’s clearest reminders of what can happen when hatred, indifference, and the denial of human dignity are allowed to grow unchecked. The memorial does not simply preserve the memory of the past. It challenges each generation to confront falsehood with truth, to reject hatred, and to uphold the inherent value of every human life.
For Armenians, remembrance has never been about dwelling solely on tragedy. It is an act of faith, resilience, and responsibility. The survival of the Armenian people was made possible by generations who chose to rebuild communities, preserve their faith, protect their language, and carry their history forward despite immense suffering.
That message echoes throughout the Scriptures. Faith requires more than belief. It calls believers to cultivate hearts that remain open to God’s truth, His mercy, and His work in the world.
As the Armenian Lacrosse and Daily Bible Readings journey continues, each stop offers an opportunity to connect Scripture with places that have shaped Armenia’s national story. At Tsitsernakaberd, the lesson is one of remembrance, truth, and the responsibility every generation bears to guard against the hardening of the human heart.
Coach Mouradian concluded the day’s reflection with the invitation that has accompanied each stop along the journey:
“Bring a friend. Bring a family member to church this Sunday, and every Sunday.”
Tomorrow, the journey continues north to Gyumri, where the Bible reading will take place at the Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God (Yot Verk), one of Armenia’s most cherished places of worship and a symbol of faith that has endured through hardship and renewal.
