Armenian Apostolic Holy Church The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

From the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, we extend our Pontifical blessings and congratulations to our faithful people, on the occasion of the day of the glorious victory of May 9, the Liberation of Shushi and the foundation day of the Defense Army of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabagh). 
It’s a sacred day for our people, which heroically made their contributions to the victory of the Great Patriotic War, for the sake of world peace and peoples' free and progressive life.
About half a century after the Second World War, we were again forced to defend the right of our people to free and safe life, resisting alone the opponent threatening our existence in Artsakh. The Artsakh liberation war and the liberation of Shushi, will convey to the next generations the history of our nation's courage, dignity and self-reliance.
Celebration of Shushi Liberation Day was also proclaimed as the foundation of the Defense Army, which is the guarantee of peace and security of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabagh).
We pray to the Almighty Lord, so that our people live a peaceful and tranquil life. May our Lord strengthen and keep our people and our native statehood secure, now and forever. Amen.

With Blessings
KAREKIN II
CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS