From the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, We extend to you Our Patriarchal blessing, love, and good wishes.
With a hymn of praise to Almighty God, on June 1, we enter the Araratian Festive Week, which holds special significance in our national and ecclesial life. During these sacred days, through solemn processions of the Cross, the celebration of the Holy Divine Liturgy, and the veneration of holy relics brought forth for worship, we commemorate the the martyrdom of St. Hripsime, St. Gayane, and their companions, the deliverance of Saint Gregory the Illuminator from the dungeon of Khor Virap, the Great Conversion of the Armenian people to Christ, and the historic proclamation of Christianity as the state religion of Armenia by decree of King Trdat.
At the conclusion of the Araratian Week, on June 7, we shall celebrate the Feast of the Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin, which was manifested upon the Armenian land 1,725 years ago through the radiant descent of the Son of God.
Through these sacred events and through Holy Etchmiadzin, the Armenian nation was deemed worthy of the heavenly grace of becoming God’s chosen people, and the Christian value system became the firm foundation and living core of our existence and historical endurance, in accordance with Holy Scripture: “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people” (1 Pet. 2:9).
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Holy Etchmiadzin, in its eternal spiritual meaning, has been the strengthener of the faith of its dispersed children throughout the world, the source of their hope, and the pledge of a life devoted to Christ and to the Homeland. In decisive moments, it has been ready to embrace every sacrifice for the sake of the flock entrusted to its care.
It is the fountain of inspiration for the greatest spiritual, intellectual, educational, and cultural achievements of our people, the unshakable fortress of our national and spiritual identity, and the steadfast guardian of our spiritual heritage and historical memory.
Having passed through severe trials, Holy Etchmiadzin has remained steadfast and unshaken—an ever-resounding and powerful herald of the interests of the nation and the Homeland, and a defender of the unity of our people.
Sadly, we shall celebrate the Feast of Holy Etchmiadzin in a time when heavy losses have disturbed the peace of our people, when blows are being struck at the foundations of our national identity, and when the sacred spiritual and national symbols of our people are being distorted.
In these difficult circumstances, the luminous mystery of Holy Etchmiadzin is a constant call to us to remain firmly anchored in our Christian faith, to rediscover the resilience of our national spirit, to overcome internal divisions, to heal our wounds, and to restore the inner peace and spiritual tranquility of our people.
On June 7, the sacred day of the Feast of Holy Etchmiadzin, parliamentary elections will take place in our country. Our Patriarchal exhortation is addressed to all without exception: to participate in the upcoming vote with a high sense of responsibility toward the nation and the Homeland, with a vision of a bright future and responsibility toward future generations, so that in our country the rule of law, respect for human dignity and rights, justice and truth, love, harmony, and mutual respect may prevail—“laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking,” as the Apostle teaches (1 Pet. 2:1).
We call upon political forces to refrain from hate speech, to act with prudence and foresight, and to safeguard our people from possible undesirable developments. We also urge representatives of the law enforcement system to ensure all necessary conditions for the conduct of fair elections and the free expression of our compatriots’ will.
