Armenian Apostolic Holy Church The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On September 21, 2009, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians extended his message of congratulations on the festive occasion of Independence Day of the Republic of Armenia.

"We extend greetings and blessings from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to all our sons and daughters in Armenia and the Diaspora, congratulating them on the festive occasion of Independence Day of the Republic of Armenia. Today our nation celebrates the joyful day of independence.

In our Motherland, our regained independent statehood – a centuries-old cherished vision of our faithful nation - is already an unchangeable reality. The Republic of Armenia is the hope for the future of our entire nation, our guarantee of assembling a nation. Thanks to the freedom of the Republic, our country will live forever under the eternal gaze of Mount Ararat.

Beloved Armenian people, let us continue our efforts with faith and devotion, bringing prosperity and imparting strength to our Homeland. Let us fulfill of all our national goals and provide a vibrant future for Armenians all the world over.

We offer our prayers to God to bring success to all the initiatives and projects of the children of our nation, of our authorities of the Republic of Armenia and of our state officials whose aim it is to build our Homeland. May God keep the Armenian nation under His all-protecting Right Hand in prosperity and happiness".

KAREKIN II
CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS