Divine Liturgy and Reception at Mother See Holy Etchmiatsin on the occasion of Army Day
29.01.2023
On January 29, under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians a Divine Liturgy was offered in the St. Gayane Monastery. The Celebrant was Rev. Fr. Archimandrite Movses Sargsyan, Head Chaplain of the RA Armed Forces Ministry.
The sacred ceremony was attended by Major General Edvard Asryan, chief of staff of Armenian Armed Forces; representatives of the highest officers of the RA Armed Forces; Andranik Kocharyan, Chairman of the RA NA Standing Committee on Defense and Security Issues; Brotherhood of the Mother See and Chaplains of the RA Army Chaplaincy.
During the Divine Liturgy, Archimandrite Movses, speaking about the difficulties and trials in our lives, emphasized that the Lord commands us: "Do not be afraid" (John 6:20), because by overcoming fear, with hope for the future, faith and repentance, we will be able to reach the port of salvation.
Referring to the sacrament of the day, the Celebrant specifically mentioned: "Today, the Armenian Army, which has gone through the horrors of wars, the greatest trials, losses and gains, is celebrating the 31st anniversary of its formation in the Armenian independent statehood. All of us are sure that the main guarantee and support of our statehood, independence, and security is the Armenian Army."
At the conclusion, Father Movses raised a prayer to God, so that the Lord would give strength and wisdom to every serviceman of the Armenian Army to listen to the divine urge "do not be afraid", to be filled with the spirit of struggle, to act with decisive energy, to overcome storms and difficulties with courage, for the sake of tomorrow's victories.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, under the chairmanship of the Catholicos of All Armenians, a requiem service was held for the peace and tranquility of the souls of the brave Armenians who died in the battles of national defense. Afterward, an official reception was held in the hall of "Eurnekian" public school, during which the Catholicos of All Armenians conveyed his blessing on the occasion of the Army Day to the highest officers, soldiers and spiritual servents of the RA Armed Forces.
His Holiness privately referred to the security challenges facing Armenia and Artsakh, the disastrous consequences of the war and the important mission of the Armenian Army in overcoming and confronting them. The Catholicos of All Armenians also conveyed his blessing, appreciation and love towards the commanders and soldiers of the Armenian Army, wishing God's assistance and protection, a healthy life and a fruitful mission for the construction of the Motherland and the good life of our nation.
On behalf of the military servants, Major General Edvard Asryan, chief of staff of Armenian Armed Forces, thanked the Catholicos of All Armenians for the constant care and attention shown towards the RA Armed Forces, assuring that the RA Armed Forces officers are ready to continue their mission in protecting the territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia and solving security problems.
