Tenth Anniversary of the Armenian Army celebrated in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
29.01.2002
On Sunday, January 27, the Tenth Anniversary of the Army of the Republic of Armenia, was celebrated in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. The entire class of officers of the Armenian Army, led by Mr. Serj Sarkissian, the Minister of Defense of Armenia, came to Holy Etchmiadzin to attend the Divine Liturgy.
The Pontifical Encyclical of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, written for this occasion, was read during the Divine Liturgy. Afterwards, a pontifical prayer for the Republic of Armenia was recited, followed by a requiem service held in memory of martyred soldiers.
Following the Divine Liturgy, His Holiness presided during a festive ceremony, held in the large hall inside the Catholicosal Residence (Veharan).
During the ceremony a second Pontifical Encyclical of His Holiness was read, wherein General-Colonel Gourguen Dalibaltian, Consultant to the President of the Republic of Armenia on Military Affairs and the Army's military inspector, was awarded the Insignia of the Armenian Apostolic Church, the St. Nerses Shnorhali (Gracious) Medal, on the occasion of his 75th birthday, as well as his continued service to the Motherland. It was due to General-Colonel Dalibaltian's brave leadership that many important and decisive battles, most notably the battle for Shoushi, brought victory to the Armenian nation.
Congratulating the officers on the occasion of the jubilee, His Holiness said: "May God keep your right arm strong, powerful and victorious; your will inflexible; and your soul always brave and triumphant; so that the peace of our lives should never be disturbed in this small country. May the vision of greatness which we have in our souls, and which inspires and encourages us, drive us to new feats and achievements."
The Minister of Defense in turn, awarded His Holiness with the medal of the Ministry of Defense of Armenia.
"Be assured that today's Divine Liturgy will inspire us for a long time and make us work much better than we have. Today, thank God, we have a national Army, and we can directly face our sisters, wives and children." said Mr. Sarkissian.
