Armenian Apostolic Holy Church The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

 Dear Faithful People,

 We are at an important milestone in the path of our spiritual life. We are entering the period of Great Lent. In this mysterious time, we repent and ask for God's Mercy in order to be worthy of the forgiveness of our sins and salvation.

 Dear Beloved, fasting shows the way to universal repentance, purification and development; bestows the Grace of being the heir of the Kingdom of God; makes the mind free from anxious and hopeless thoughts; brings sanctity to the soul, and usefulness to the body. Fasting helps us to strengthen our zeal for perfection; spread love and pleasure to our relatives, establish goodness and peace in family life, in the environment and in society. Such spiritual accomplishments give us the strength to be empowered in humility and meekness (Matthew 11:29), let us refrain from arbitrariness, do the will of our Lord and Savior.

 Each of us must manifest this good behavior in our service. Let us all, with the zeal of fasting, refrain from self-centered aspirations and harmful processes, and act for common prosperity. Let us make an effort to live our God-blessed lives according to the commandments of Christ, to overcome injustice, to bring consolation to the mournful, to support the needy. Fasting is a healing for the wounded souls of our people who have tasted the bitterness of war; it is a bright ray of hope, a relief of pain, as it calls us to be inspired by optimism, to be encouraged, to create a better reality, where virtue and Godly life reign instead of sin and death.

  Let us pray together, that with our fasting and repentance, God will remove every imperfection and sin from us, and bring peace, solidarity and spiritual happiness to our lives. Let us ask to be worthy of the Lord's abundant Mercy, and celebrate the Feast of the Miraculous Resurrection of the Savior with a pure heart and soul. May the love and Graces of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be with us, all, today and always. Amen.