Message of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; at the Memorial Service Dedicated to the Heroes Martyred in the Artsakh War
22.11.2020
In the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
"I am the resurrection and the life.
The one who believes in me will live, even though they die”
(John 11:25).
Dear Faithful Children,
Today, We have united in prayer to God to pay our respects and offer gratitude to our heroes who fell defending the free and independent life of Artsakh, as well as to bow before their blessed memory.
The bravery of our courageous soldiers and military commanders who died in the new Armenian struggle for survival, are eternal testimonies of great patriotism.
In the war initiated by Azerbaijan against the Republic of Artsakh, which was unleashed with the support of Turkey and the involvement of mercenary terrorists, our heroic children bravely fought against the unequal force of the enemy, defending our homeland at the cost of their lives.
Today, we along with our bereaved parents: grieving fathers and mothers, widows, and orphaned children, mourn in our hearts the loss of our fallen heroes.
Along with this unspeakable pain, we are also proud of their unparalleled courage, unique heroism, and glorious bravery.
Our heroes fought with full devotion, with the vision of the just right of the Armenians of Artsakh to live freely, and a peaceful, secure life, with prosperous progress of Armenia and Artsakh.
Before the blessed memory of our martyrs, today we are called to value and make their cherished dreams and visions come true.
Beloved ones, over the course of centuries, our people have passed through the valleys of death many times, they have seen destruction, massacres, and Genocide.
But through all our trials we have been able to overcome death by believing in the risen Jesus Christ and his life-giving word: “Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live”.
Relying on God, we have turned our pain and sorrow into strength and power, we have turned our loss and grief into will and determination.
Even after the genocide, when one and a half million children of our people were martyred, when we lost most of our historical homeland, and when many Armenians who survived the genocide were deported and dispersed around the world; were able to rebuild their statehood in this small part of Eastern Armenia with an unwavering spirit and prosper the Homeland, and to establish communities in the Diaspora and flourish them with educational, cultural, charitable, and national institutions and churches.
Today, due to the painful losses caused by the war and the difficult internal political conditions, our country is facing a severe crisis. In this difficult situation, all individual and group interests and ambitions must be subordinate to the sovereign interest of the Homeland.
It is the duty of each of us, in particular state and political figures, to make every sacrifice with a high sense of responsibility to overcome the difficult situation, for the sake of the stability, security, bright and vibrant future of our Homeland.
For the sake of the self-sacrifice and blessed memory of our children, who gave their lives for the homeland, we have a duty to preserve our faith, avoid words and deeds that provoke hatred and enmity, protecting our homeland from new upheavals and dangers.
Let us stand for the protection of the rights of the Armenians of Artsakh and the establishment of a new life in Armenia and Artsakh, with the spirit of patriotism, unity, solidarity, and tolerance.
Dear faithful children, at this moment we offer our heartfelt prayers, express our appreciation and respect to all our brave military commanders, and soldiers, who have shown unparalleled heroism in the sacred task of defending the homeland, including the courageous children of our national minorities.
Let us pray for the rest of the souls of our fallen heroic sons, asking for the consolation of the Holy Spirit to their families, parents, relatives and all our people.
Our martyrs, as defenders of the Homeland, sacrificing themselves for the sake of the nation and the Homeland, will become immortal and worthy of an eternal life in heaven, according to the promise of our Lord: "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.”
We extend our prayers to Almighty God for the quick recovery of our wounded soldiers, as well as for His care and support for our captive children, wishing them freedom and a safe return to their homeland.
May the love, grace and support of God protect our Homeland and our people around the world, now and always. Amen.
