Catholicos of All Armenians
Message on the occasion of the day of remembrance of the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide
Message of His Holiness Karekin II Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians on the Occasion of the Commemoration of the Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, APRIL 24
Dear people from Armenia and the Diaspora,
We once again remember with prayer and reverence our holy martyrs of the Armenian Genocide, who, keeping their faith, love and dedication towards the nation and homeland, accepted the crown of martyrdom.
We commemorate the holy martyrs of the Armenian Genocide at a time when our nation is facing new ontological threats and serious security issues. After the genocidal actions carried out in the native Artsakh and the depopulation of Artsakh, there is a worrying and difficult situation in the border areas of Armenia.
In front of the holy martyrs' bright memory, it is our sacred duty to protect the integrity of our native country, to be zealous for the strengthening of independent Armenian statehood, and to preserve the deposits and heritage of our ancestors as a sacred relic.
Our nation is strong with its heroic past, its determination to fight against evil, and in the same spirit, it must remove from its life destructive manifestations contrary to national interests, find ways out of the current difficult situation with joint efforts and build its victorious future.
Dear pious people, on this sacred day, let us pray for the intercession of our holy martyrs, so that our homeland and nation may be peaceful, safe and prosperous under the graces and blessings of Christ, and we may confirm our course in the paths of security and progress with faith and hope.
May the Lord's love and care protect our homeland and all our people today and always. Amen.