Armenian Apostolic Holy Church The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

Dearly Beloved Armenian People in the Homeland and the Diaspora,

 Today we pay our tribute to the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide, who gave their lives for the sake of faith and Homeland.

 During the Genocide, our people became the witness to the massacre of their children of one and a half million, the destruction of their national-spiritual values, our sanctuaries, monasteries and churches, our villages and cities, and as well, they lost most of their historical Homeland.

 Our Martyrs, having suffered terribly, “became the participant of Christ sufferings, His death and decendant of His Resurrection” (Philippians 3:10), and staying steadfast in their faith, were irresistible in spirit, and moved from death to eternal life, worthy of the unfading crown of the Saints.

 Dear faithful, this year, because of the pandemic, we do not have the opportunity to visit the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial, to gather in our churches and in front of the memorials to commemorate the memory of our holy martyrs. In this situation, in our homes and in the presence of the immortal memory of our martyrs, with spiritual solidarity, let us pray and vow to implement the national cherished visions for the safety of our free and independent Homeland, progress and prosperity, further development of the Diaspora, the universal recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide, for our fair judgment – victory of our demand. We can make these dreams come true with a consciousness of duty and responsibility towards the nation and the Homeland, through national solidarity and uniting our efforts for the sake of the Homeland and the vibrant future of the Armenians.

 Dear pious people, on this cherished day, we invite you to ask for the intercession for our Holy Martyrs to God in heartfelt prayer, that our lives may be in peace and solidarity under the blessings and grace of the Risen Christ, may we overcome the trials we face, and may the Lord’s Blessings and care be a shelter for our country and our people throughout the world, today and forever. Amen.