Remarks by Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan on the Occasion of the 12th Anniversary of Enthronement and 60th Birthday of HH Karekin II

Remarks by President Bako Sahakyan, President of the Republic of Artsakh

Congratulatory Speech of Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan
at the Festive Event dedicated to the 60th birthday
and 12th anniversary of Enthronement of the
Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II

Your Excellency, President of the Republic of Armenia,
Your Holiness,
Respected attendees,

I am very glad for having an opportunity to partake at this solemn event dedicated to the 60th birthday and 12th anniversary of the enthronement of the Catholicos of All Armenians. On behalf of the people, authorities of Artsakh and myself I would like to render with great pleasure the warmest congratulations and best wishes in connection with these significant anniversaries.

Jubilee is a good opportunity to esteem one's existential and work path, value his place in this life, especially when we speak about the Supreme Patriarch.

Communication with Karekin II generates double feelings. On the one hand, you immediately feel his deep faith and patriotism, lateral thinking and inexhaustible energy, realistic comprehension of the past, present and future. On the other hand, he is an extremely simple-mannered individual.

These intrinsic to authoritative religious and social figures features could have their impact on the activity of the Catholicos.

During the whole 12 years of the Supreme Patriarch's enthronement significant work has been done to strengthen the Armenian Apostolic Church, cement the people-state-church interrelations, deepen interchurch cooperation, and make the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin prosper. His contribution to the continuous deepening of the Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora ties is just invaluable. We in Artsakh always remember this and rate it very high.

Your Holiness,

I once again congratulate You and wish long life, peace, robust health and all the best to the glory of world spread Armenians, our church, Motherland and their bright future. Be confident that the people of Artsakh are dedicated flock of the Armenian Apostolic Church who have born and will always bear with dignity their cross of faith.

Yerevan
November 4, 2011