Requiem Service of 9 Servicemen Martyred in the 44-day War of Artsakh was Offered in St. Gregory the Illuminator Mother Cathedral in Yerevan
03.12.2021
On December 02, under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; Requiem Service of 9 servicemen martyred in the 44-day War of Artsakh was offered in St. Gregory the Illuminator Mother Cathedral in Yerevan.
In the conclusion of the service, the Catholicos of All Armenians delivered his speech to the mournful families of the martyrs and those present.
“Dear Faithful,
Today we have gathered under the incense-scented arches of St. Gregory the Illuminator Mother Cathedral in Yerevan to bid farewell to our brave sons who martyred for the defense of the Fatherland. In front of the cherished relics of our brave soldiers, we bow in their bright memory, remember their courage and heroism.
At this moment of farewell, we recall the tragic events of the War of Artsakh, the disasters and catastrophes that have befallen us throughout our history, and we are strengthened by the strong will, unwavering endurance and firmness of the sons of our people, to face trials.
More than a year after the war, with unhealed wounds in our hearts, we bow to the parents who gave birth, nurtured, and brought up sons worthy of our nation. We ask for the comfort of the Holy Spirit to the mournful families who lost their parents, spouses, children or relatives in the war, who suffered unspeakable pain: pain and loss that we all have.
Beloved, the person who dedicated his life to the homeland is always immortal, always victorious. On the battlefield, our beloved children strengthened with the motto of the Battle of Avarayr (Vardanants Battle): “Death without knowledge is death, death with knowledge is immortality”. With that spirit and consciousness, they proved their love and devotion towards the homeland; with their shed blood, they dedicated their filial loyalty and zeal to their native people and values. The unparalleled heroism of our brave soldiers is recorded in the pages of our modern history, and it should be inspiring for future generations to live with the same love and devotion to God, to the nation and the homeland.
We all are responsible to our hero martyrs, who, according to the words of Khorenatsi, father of Armenian history (patmahayr): “They left an immortal memory, being born mortal”. We all are responsible to their immortal memory to make their dreams come true, to make our homeland Armenia and Artsakh safe and prosperous, for the protection of which they sacrificed their lives.
We believe, that in Heaven, our beloved children will be worthy to dwell in the Lord's Divine company, will receive the bliss of living in heavenly light and glory forever; and they will hear the words of our Savior, Jesus Christ: “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world”(Matthew 25:34).
In this prayerful moment, dear ones, from the depth of our hearts, let us ask that the Merciful Lord grant peace and tranquility to the souls of His faithful servants, comfort and consolation to their parents, relatives and friends. Let us ask God to strengthen our people with hope, faith and love in these difficult times for our country to overcome the hardships with patience, to endure pain and sufferings, to make every effort in the vital mission of defending and strengthening our homeland.
May the Heavenly Lord, under the auspices of His Holy Right Hand, keep safe and secure the brave soldiers of the Armenian Army, our Fatherland and our people all over the world.
Rest in peace immortal martyrs, beloved sons of our nation.
Incense, prayer and Blessings to the bright memory of our immortal soldiers, today, always and forever. Amen”.
