His Holiness Karekin II Visits the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
On Thursday, May 9, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, accompanied by bishops, priests and deacons of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin, visited Victory (Haghtanak) Park, in Yerevan. They came to commemorate two anniversaries for the Republic of Armenia: The victory of the Allied Powers in World War II, and the liberation of Shushi in Artsakh (Karabagh) ten years ago in 1992. His Holiness placed a floral wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Over 600,000 Armenians fought for the Allied Powers in World War II, from 1939 to 1945.
On the occasion of Armenia?s Victory Day, His Holiness said: ?Today is the day of triumph against fascism in World War II. It is also a memorable day in our national life. Today, along with our Armenian brothers and sisters living in Artsakh and the Diaspora, we celebrate the day of the liberation of Shushi. We beseech God, asking that mankind should never again experience war. We pray that we should live in peace, love and cooperation, and may the name of God always be glorified. May all people be happy with the fruits of their honest labors, and may they rejoice and flourish in their countries, thus improving their lives. It is our prayer and wish, that the Almighty Right Hand of God always protect the Armenian Army, which defends the borders of our country and maintains the peace of Armenia. May God?s kind eyes always watch over us and our nation, and grant us happiness and peace.?
Following the ceremony, the clergy accompanying His Holiness each laid a single flower at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Also attending the ceremony were the high government officials of the Republic of Armenia, the officer class of the Armenian Army, and thousands of citizens of Armenia, who had come to pay their respects to the fallen soldiers on this Memorial Day.
