Armenian Apostolic Holy Church The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On July 15, under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; a Prayer for the Republic was offered at St. Gayane Monastery for the peace and security of the homeland; as well as an award ceremony was held for the clergymen who took part in the 44-day War of Artsakh.

The Divine Liturgy was attended by the chaplains of the RA Army Chaplaincy, clergymen from the Dioceses, representatives of the RA Ministry of Defense headed by the Deputy Minister Mr. Arman Sargsyan.

His Grace Bishop Moushegh Babayan, Grand Sacristan of the Mother See, offered welcoming remarks. Following the Prayer for the Republic, under the singing of the hymn “Etchmiadzin i Hore”; His Grace Bishop Vasken Mirzakhanian, Director of the Office of Social Doctrine of the Mother See, brought the Pontifical Encyclicals to the Altar, from which, His Grace Bishop Artak Tigranian, Dean of the Monasteries of the Armenian Church, read the awarding Encyclical of His Eminence Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan, Pontifilal envoy-at large.

Then, the Pontiff of All Armenians awarded the newly established “St. Ghevond the Yerets” Medal to His Eminence Archbishop Pargev Martirosian, Pontifilal envoy-at large; His Grace Bishop Mikael Ajapahian, Primate of the Diocese of Shirak; His Grace Bishop Vertanes Abrahamyan, Primate of the Diocese of Artsakh; His Grace Bishop Bagrat Galstanyan, Primate of the Diocese of Tavush; His Grace Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan, Primate of the Diocese of Aragatsotn; His Grace Bishop Datev Hagopian, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Romania; Rev. Fr.  Archimandrite Movses Sargsyan, Head Chaplain of the Republic of Armenia Armed Forces Ministry; Rev. Fr.  Archimandrite Sahak Shaqaryan, Rev. Fr. Geghard Hovhannisyan, Rev. Fr. Andreas Tavadyan and Rev. Fr. Hovhannes Hovhannisyan  from the Diocese of Artsakh; Rev. Fr. Aris Tonoyan from  Geghardavank Monastery;  the colonels: Deacon Hrachya Ghazaryan, Deacon Gor Gyurjyan; Deacon Hovhannes Andryan; Deacon Artashes Nersisyan; Deacon Manavazd Mkrtchyan; Deacon Vahe Mkrtchyan; Deacon Mkrtich Ter-Mkrtchyan; Deacon Karo Gharibyan and Deacon Hrayr Lalayan.

The “St. Ghevond Yerets” Medal, recently established by the Pontifical order of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians; is the highest orders of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church; which is awarded to the Clergy of the Armenian Apostolic Church through the Pontifical Encyclical in appreciation of the devoted service and praiseworthy merit in the national-ecclesiastical life.

In this regard, letters of Pontifical Blessings were granted to 38 clergymen serving in the Mother See, the Dioceses and the RA Army Chaplaincy.

Following the award ceremony, the Pontiff of All Armenians delivered His Blessing remarks to the attendees.

“Beloved ones, we are united in the St. Gayane Monastery to pay tribute to the clergy who strengthened our soldiers with prayer, encouraged them to heroism and comforted with the word of God during the 44-day War of Artsakh.

With great sorrow, we remember the horrors of the catastrophic war unleashed by Azerbaijan. Our homeland defenders selflessly fought against the overwhelming forces of the enemy. Many of our brave sons gave their lives for the nation and the homeland, immortalizing themselves with heroic deeds. Even today, there is an everlasting prayer in our hearts and souls for the immortal memory of our victims, for the return of the missing and the captives, the healing of the wounded. Our Holy Church also had martyred, missing and wounded clergymen in that terrible war. 

Dear spiritual servants, brave colonels of the Armenian Army, you directly participated in that war, addressing your words of encouragement to the soldiers, keeping their fighting spirit strong, supporting them in the defense of the homeland, delivering water and bread, baptizing many of them on the battlefield and giving the Holy Communion to them; you are here today to be highly praised for your commendable service. We know that the tragic scenes of the war still pursue you, and the pain and sorrow of the loss of our young soldiers are in your hearts.

Thanks be to God, you have found the strength in your faith and hope to survive those difficult days, and continue your service today, being faithful to the Lord and to our people.

Dear ones, that hope and faith coming from your soul, spread among our people; so that after the heavy losses of the war we may find national strength to stand up again, to repair and prosper our national life, make our country Armenia and Artsakh flourish, keep our statehood strong and secure. 

With Paternal love, once again, extending Our Blessings and gratitude to you, we urge you to fulfil your service in the Armed Forces with the same vigorous spirit, in the mission of providing spiritual nourishment to the homeland defenders, encouraging and always keeping their fighting spirit firm. You must always be the spirit and inspiration of our people, the Armenian Army, our victories, the protection of the peace and security of our country.

Today, We extend Our gratitude to the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia and the Command staff of the Armenian Army, for the caring attitude towards our clergymen and our chaplains participated in the war, for appreciating their service and awarding them military orders․ 

Dear spiritual servants, we wish that your service and the service of our soldiers and servicemen of the Armenian army pass under a peaceful sky. Strengthen the spirit of optimism of our people, their hope of restoring our losses, their strong will of new victories due to the life-giving faith; as according to the words of the Apostle; “And this is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith”(1 John 5:4).

Let us jointly pray for the peace of our country, for the prosperous life, security and dignity of our people. May God protect and keep our nation and homeland, so that with the help of the Lord we may forge the sunrise of our life and history together, as a nation. And may the love, peace, and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us always. Amen”, stated the Armenian Pontiff.

Then, a reception was held, during which His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians and the Deputy Minister of Defense Arman Sargsyan delivered speeches, emphasizing the importance of the role of the faith in human life and, in particular, in the military service; reaffirming the importance of the service of the clergy serving in the Army. In this regard, His Eminence Archbishop Pargev Martirosian and His Grace Bishop Vertanes Abrahamyan delivered their heartfelt speeches.