Armenian Apostolic Holy Church The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On January 27, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, presided over the celebration of Divine Liturgy on the occasion of the Republic of Armenia Armed Forces Day.

Present for the Divine Liturgy were Colonel General Seyran Ohanyan Defense Minister of the Republic of Armenia; Lieutenant General Yury Khachaturov, Chief of the General Staff of the Armenian Army; high ranking officers of the Armenian Army; Primates of the Armenian Church; spiritual servants and soldiers.

The celebrant was His Grace Bishop Vrtanes Abrahamyan, Head Chaplain of the Republic of Armenia Armed Forces. In his sermon, His Grace Vrtanes asked for the Pontifical blessings of His Holiness on the occasion of the 24th anniversary of the victorious Armenian Army, and congratulated the Defense Minister Ohanyan, the officers and the brave soldiers.

His Grace Vrtanes offered a sermon reflecting on the mystery of the day. He stated in part: “The Holy Bible is full of numerous stories of victory, and the most important of them is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ's victory over death, crowned with the Glorious Resurrection. This fact is a source of encouragement for Christians, because if our greatest enemy, death, is defeated then what more is there to frighten us?

Dear ones, also in our days, our Lord grants us victories, when He sees our unwavering faith and loyalty. Let us remember Shushi: the white crosses attached on the military equipment and the clothes of our soldiers – let it become a shield for us and ensure us Heavenly support. And being on the side of justice and the desire of liberating St. Ghazanchetsots brought us victory.

…Today, when our borders are restless and our enemy swaggers, nothing and no one can put us in terror, because the Lord's voice constantly encourages us: “…but be courageous—I’ve overcome the world" (John 16:33). Living in the world overcome, we have the right to partake in the fruits of victory. Fear as a sign of skepticism is rejected, and with the courage of winning over death, we continue our unstoppable march towards a final victory over evil and its various forces”.

Following the Divine Liturgy, at the Holy Altar of Descent of the Mother Cathedral, the Catholicos of All Armenians presided over the prayer "Blessing of the Republic" for the welfare and vibrancy of Armenia and the Armenian Army.

Following the prayer, a formal reception was held in the Events Auditorium of the Gevorkian Theological Seminary, during which medals were bestowed.

His Holiness granted the Orders of St. Nerses the Graceful of the Armenian Church to several military officers.

Under the singing of the Etchmiadzin hymn, the Pontifical Encyclical was brought in. His Grace Bishop Bagrat Galstanyan, Primate of the Diocese of Tavush, read the Pontifical Encyclical.

“From the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, we are extending Our Pontifical blessings and best wishes on the occasion of the Armed Forces day, joyfully reflecting on your efforts for our Homeland. 

You offered your selfless participation in the liberation of Artsakh and in the holy cause of defending the Homeland, bringing your abilities for the consolidation of our glorious victory. Since the establishment of our National Army, with numerous responsible positions and commitments you continue to make proficient efforts in the strengthening of our National Army, which implements its mission with glory; withstanding the daily aggressions of the enemy and guarding the borders of our country”, it said in the Pontifical Encyclical.

Following the reading of the Pontifical Encyclical, His Holiness granted Major General Vardan Balayan, deputy of the NKR Defense Army; Major General Arthur Simonyan, commander of the Peacekeeping Brigade of the RA Ministry of Defense; RA Military Commissar Colonel Henrik Meridian; Colonel Kamavor Khachatryan, chief of the RA Army Medical Department; and Colonel Arsen Taroyan, General Director of the Mergelyan Institute of the RA Ministry of Defense; with the order of "St. Nerses the Graceful" and bestowed them each with a Medal.

During the reception, by the order of the RA Defense Minister, several clergymen were praised for the significant contribution in the spiritual and patriotic education of the servicemen and on the occasion of the establishment of the 24th anniversary of the RA Armed Forces.

His Eminence Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisyan, Director of the External Relations and Protocol Department of Mother See; His Grace Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Georgia; His Grace Bishop Bagrat Galstanyan, Primate of the Diocese of Tavush; and His Grace Bishop Arshak Khachatryan, Chancellor of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin were granted with the order of “Andranik Ozanyan”.

Rev. Fr. Taron Ghulikyan, Abbot of Geghard; Rev. Fr. Vanand Andreasyan, senior officer of the RA Defense Ministry's N military unit and Dn. Armen Bayadyan were granted with the order of “Garekin Njdeh”.

Rev. Fr. Samuel Sargsyan was granted with the order of “Admiral H. S. Isakov”. Dn. Hovhannes Galstyan, officer of the RA Defense Ministry's N military unit was granted with the order of “Marshal Baghramyan”.

Following the awards ceremony Minister of Defense Ohanyan gave remarks, stating that he considered it a great honor to be present in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin every year on the occasion of Armed Forces Day.

Minister Ohanyan reflected on the role of spiritual servants in the implementation of the difficult problems facing the army and stressed that today the spiritual service and the military service are the two sacred services which provide a powerful and ideological base for the security of the country.

At the conclusion, Catholicos Karekin II conveyed his appreciation and blessings to the high-ranking officers of the RA Armed Forces and congratulated the Minister of Defense and the soldiers on the occasion of the Army Day.

"You have travelled a glorious path since the first days of the liberation of Artsakh, you have been among our country's defense and during the past 24 years, you have created victories in our national life.

We extend to you our gratitude and appreciation.

At this moment, with a prayer we remember all those who gave their precious life for the country's independence and freedom and for a peaceful and secure life", said His Holiness.
The Catholicos of All Armenians expressed joy for a beautiful new tradition, according to which every year, on the occasion of the Armed Forces day, he offers a prayer for the Armenian Army, so that it will always be victorious and that Armenia lives in peace.