Today, President Serzh Sargsyan participated at the festive event dedicated to the Saint Sargis the Warrior Holiday held at the Saint Sargis Cathedral of the Ararat Patriarchal Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
The event led by His Holiness Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II and dedicated to the Saint Sargis Holiday, which was declared Youth Blessing Day, was ministered by the Vicar of the Ararat Patriarchal Diocese Ter Navasarad Kchoyan, was also attended by the Minister of Defense Vigen Sarkissian, Minister of Culture Armen Amirian, and Aramayis Grigorian -Governer of Ararat marz, which is part of the Ararat Patriarchal Diocese.
At the conclusion of the Holy Liturgy, there took place the blessing ceremony for twenty conscripts, who excelled in the course of their duty, members of their families, young people, guests and the church people. The blessing was held with the relics of Saint Sargis which were brought from the Holy See of Etchmiadzin. Later, at the Diocese Hall, there took place the award ceremony of those conscripts who excelled in their duty and were present at the event.
On the occasion of the holiday, President Sargsyan made a congratulatory statement.
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President Serzh Sargsyan’s congratulatory statement on Saint Sargis the Warrior commemoration day
Your Holiness,
Distinguished Parents,
Dear Soldiers,
I congratulate us all on the occasion of Saint Sargis holiday. Saint Sargis was a warrior and this fact speaks of his personality. Saint Sargis long ago became a symbol of courage and sacrifice for our troops and young people, and for that very reason, I would like to especially congratulate our soldiers present in this hall.
Dear Soldiers,
You are not professional military servicemen; you are conscripts who have different goals in your life, different programs, and aspirations. I am confident that these aspirations will come true, however, at this moment you are united through the Armenian Army uniform and your determination to defend our Fatherland. I also believe you will become ministers, ambassadors, governors, entrepreneurs, outstanding culture and sports figures and at that time too will defend our Fatherland with the same determination and make it flourish.
Dear Soldiers, be assured that our people have no doubt that you are doing an indispensable job. You are doing what every real man has to do – to defend his family, to defend his Fatherland. And you do that with dignity, responsibility, military precision, and discipline. For such attitude we certainly have to thank you teachers and commanders, but first and foremost – your parents because the role of the family in shaping one’s personality is indispensable. I am glad that many of your parents are present here, and there is no doubt that they are very proud of you.
You serve in the most important area – the frontline. Have no doubt that behind you is standing an ancient and strong nation, tenacious and diligent, a combat ready nation which has the millennia-long experience and unshakable faith in tomorrow’s victory. Have no doubt that behind you stand strong state structures, have no doubt that these structures, as well as our entire nation, will do their best so that you have everything which is necessary to defend our borders.
Present are here the soldiers who last April defended our honor, defended our independence, the inviolability of our borders. Unfortunately, many of those worthy are not here, but they are with us because they paid with their lives for the common task you carried out together and certainly became immortals.
You see, dear soldiers, valor, and courage should never leave you, but I would like to repeat that along with valor and courage you have to do everything possible to stay alive so that our nation can live forever so that the best kind of our nation multiply and grow. With this regard, you should always know that someone is waiting for you, that you have many things to accomplish, and you must come back with honor.
The veterans of the Artsakh war saw many-many things back in the 1990s, and they are not only the link bridging our generations but also the witnesses of the fact that today’s troops are as many warriors as they were.
I remember that three or four years ago, speaking before the exhausted troops after a military exercise, I claimed that our young soldiers and commanders, if necessary, would fight even better than we did. On one side, I have certainly saddened that military actions took place, however on the other side, I am glad that my claim was true. Nobody would say that today’s youth is not what they used to be. They are, even more than that. Well done, guys!
Just like last year, this year too I instructed to give you a ten-day vacation. Following the message of the Saint Sargis Holiday, I wish that in that short period of time, in these ten days you are surrounded by the warmth of your friends, family and why not, maybe even you sweethearts.
I want you in these ten days to recharge with new vigor, tenacity and come back to the Army, come back to your duties and let Saint Sargis give you a good and safe service. Let today’s prayers and blessing stay with you forever.
Well done, and once again I thank your parents.