Armenian Apostolic Holy Church The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On February 28, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; hosted the representatives of the non-governmental organization "Sons' Call" uniting the parents and relatives of the dead Armenians.

At the meeting, the Catholicos of All Armenians conveyed his blessings and wishes to the Armenians on the occasion of their visit to Holy Etchmiadzin. The Armenian Patriarch emphasized the efforts invested by the organization in the direction of uniting the families of Armenians who gave their lives for the sake of the motherland and protecting their rights. The Armenian Patriarch affirmed that the pain of heavy loss of deceased loved ones can be eased by being sympathetic and helpful to each other, and also by bringing their cherished dreams to life. His Holiness assured that the spiritual servants of the Armenian Church should continue to show special pastoral care and attention to such families in order to strengthen faith and optimism for the future in their hearts.

The Catholicos of All Armenians expressed his appreciation to the members of the organization for their zeal in strengthening national values and raising generations with a patriotic spirit.

During the conversation, His Holiness mentioned that these days, the Armenian people around the world remember with prayer the innocent victims of the Sumgait pogroms organized by the Soviet Azerbaijan authorities 1988, informing them that this morning in the Mother See, a memorial service was performed with the participation of the entire Brotherhood.

Condemning the mass massacres of the Armenian population in Sumgait and the forced deportation of tens of thousands of Armenians, the Catholicos of All Armenians emphasized that this tragedy, which went unpunished and did not receive universal condemnation, later gave rise to new crimes of the Armenian-hating policy of the Azerbaijani authorities: the military occupation of Artsakh, the forced deportation of Artsakh Armenians and the Armenian spiritual destruction of cultural heritage.

In the conditions of the existing security challenges, His Holiness noted the imperative of nationwide unity, which is possible to stop new disasters, ensure peace in the native borders and pursue the protection of the right to an independent and safe life of the people of Artsakh on their native land.

At the conclusion, the Catholicos of All Armenians answered the questions of the attendees, which were related to the problems facing the motherland, the preservation of Artsakh's spiritual and cultural heritage, as well as Church-state relations.