Catholicos of All Armenians and His Holiness Aram I Visit the Sardarapat Memorial

May- June 2014

On May 28, on the occasion of the First Republic Day, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, and His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, visited the Sardarapat Memorial. Accompanying them were Members of the Brotherhood of the Catholicosate of All Armenians and the Great House of Cilicia, paying tribute to the eternal memory of the Armenian martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the sake of Armenian independent statehood.

The Catholicos of All Armenians; His Holiness Aram I; Mr. Serzh Sargsyan, President of the Republic of Armenia; and Mr. Bako Sahakyan, President of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh; placed floral wreaths at the memorial, extending a prayer for the repose of the souls of those who perished during the heroic battles of May.

On the occasion of this festive day, following a visit to the National Museum of Armenian History Ethnography and of Liberation Struggle, Holiness Karekin II and Catholicos Aram I opened an awards ceremony with their blessings and message.

The Catholicos of All Armenians remarked, “On this festive First Republic Day we are welcoming you and extending Our Pontifical blessings. Today our people commemorate the memory of establishing the Republic of Armenia on a small land in the Eastern Armenia during the difficult times of World War I. Making great efforts, our people overcame the political chaos of that time, the disastrous conditions in our country and uniting their forces managed to block and repulse the Turkish attack against Yerevan and the regions in Eastern Armenia.

This example of courageous struggle for the Homeland and solidarity had emerged from the soul of each Armenian. Refusing to leave Etchmiadzin for his own security, the Catholicos Gevorg V of blessed memory, addressed his words to the people, to arm themselves with faith against the hardships, to rise and unite. Entrusting God, our nation defended their right to have an independent life in their ancient Homeland. Today we value the noble spirit of faith, unity, patriotism and loyalty that was victorious; commemorating the battles of Sardarapat, Bash-Aparan and Gharakilisa, and the establishment of the Armenian Republic. That spirit will help us today to face the modern challenges, overcoming the difficulties and imperatives occurring in our country.

We praise the Almighty that our people are not alone in their mission of justly defending their rights. Countries, nations, and international organizations are condemning the Armenian Genocide and bringing their efforts to grant our people in Nagorno Karabakh the right to have a free and independent life. With the presence of the representatives of diplomatic missions, We are expressing our appreciation to all those countries assisting our people.

This year, humanity commemorates the 100th anniversary of WWI, rejecting and condemning the evils of war. Sadly, there are still wars in the world, our people still live in a state of fragile peace, and face hardships in the countries that are at war. We highlight the importance of resolving the disputes and issues peacefully, which is possible to establish and strengthen through reinforcing justice and respect for the rights of people and nations.

We pray for peace in the world and for the countries that are at war, especially for the people in the Near East, so that they can realize their aspirations for safety and a bright future. We are praying for a peaceful life for Armenia and our people, and with God’s blessings success to our efforts for our country’s prosperity, welfare and fortitude.

We exhort that the Almighty support all of us in our calling and responsibilities, illuminate and guide us with His wisdom, keeping us steady on the true paths of peace, love and kindness. We wish that God bless Your projects to reinforce Armenia, honorable Mr. President and state officials, and Your mission, respectable diplomats, for strengthening peace in the world, establishing solidarity and productive collaboration among countries and nations.

May God’s mercy and graces be always with us and all the humanity, now and forevermore; Amen”.

During the awards ceremony President Sargsyan granted the St. Nerses the Graceful medal to Rev. Fr. Vardan Navasardyan, Director of the Christian Education Centre of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Dean of the Eurnekian Public School, and in charge of the supervision of teaching the “Armenian Church History” in the Armenian Public Schools.

Later in the day, under the presidency of the Catholicos of All Armenians and His Holiness Aram I, a Special Prayer Service was offered in the Mother Cathedral for the First Republic Day.

At the conclusion of the service, His Holiness Karekin II and His Holiness Aram I congratulated those present and extended their blessings.

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