Armenian Apostolic Holy Church The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On November 5, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; visited Jermuk city in Vayots Dzor.

During his visit, His Holiness was accompanied by His Eminence Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan Chancellor of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin; His Grace Bishop Moushegh Babayan, Grand Sacristan of the Mother See; His Eminence Archbishop Vasken Mirzakhanyan, Director of the Ecclesiastical Conceptual Issues Office of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin; His Grace Bishop Hovnan Hakobyan, Primate of the Diocese of Gougark; and Rev. Fr. Archimandrite Grigor Khachatryan, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of France. The procession led by the Catholicos of All Armenians was welcomed at the entrance of Jermuk by the Primate of the Diocese of Vayots Dzor, His Eminence Archbishop Abraham Mkrtchyan, Mr. Ararat Grigoryan, Governor of the Vayots Dzor region, and Mr. Vahagn Arsenyan, Mayor of Jermuk.

Afterwards, His Holiness, together with the clergy and regional and city authorities, went to the St. Gayane Church of Jermuk, where the Armenian Patriarch was welcomed by the residents of the city and the military. Under the singing of the "Hrashapar" hymn, His Holiness Karekin II, conveying his blessing to the faithful people, entered the temple, where following the psalm singing and prayer, a Peace prayer was made for the stability of Armenia, Artsakh and native borders, and for the safe, peaceful and prosperous life of the Armenian people. A prayer was also offered for the peace and tranquility of the souls of the Armenians who died for the defense of the motherland.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the Catholicos of All Armenians addressed to the attending people.

"We convey our blessings to you and pray to the Heavenly Lord to help you, the Armenians who are facing hardships at this difficult time. This is not the first time we visit this cozy corner of our country. We have been to Jermuk on many occasions, we have been charmed by the splendor of this natural world and enjoyed the warmth and hospitality of the people here. Jermuk, with its healing waters and beautiful nature, is one of the most important business cards of our country and has always been a cradle for the treatment of diseases and alleviation of anxiety for our people and many visitors. Today, Jermuk itself needs healing and removal of sorrows", stated the Armenian Patriarch.

Referring to the large-scale attack of the Azerbaijani armed forces on September 13, His Holiness expressed his condolences to the bereaved and grieving children of our nation for the Armenians who died as a result of the Azerbaijani aggression, for the destroyed cities and buildings, asking that the Almighty Lord, with His mercy, grant peace to the martyred warriors for the motherland, comfort and consolation, to grant the families of the victims will and courage, so that they can face the problems that have arisen.

"Anxieties and worries are too much in our lives today. We are concerned about the present and future of the children of our motherland, our people living in our native country, especially when our eyes meet the eyes of our innocent but already caring children every time. Due to the concerns and anxieties facing our country and people, some families leave the country and become migrants, seeking happiness and security for themselves and their children in a foreign land.

We came here to say that all we have is our country, our homeland. We must arm ourselves with courage and endurance in order to protect the sacred land where our fathers and our fathers' fathers lived and created, where our children were martyred," the Armenian Patriarch stated in part.

Then, referring to the legend spread among the people, about the wounded deer of the Jermuk world, which heals its severe wounds from the hunter in the healing waters of Jermuk, His Holiness emphasized: "We believe that following the example of Jermuk, this beautiful city, as well as our entire country, will recover from its wounds, survive tragedies and overcome difficulties and hardships. And our people will continue to build a dignified and creative life with their wisdom, hard work, endurance and courage, strengthen their homeland and build a bright future."

On the occasion of the visit, the Catholicos of All Armenians conveyed his patriarchal appreciation and blessing to the spiritual ministers of the Vayots Dzor Diocese, led by the diocesan Primate, for keeping the faith and spirit of our faithful people strong, for strengthening and comforting the faithful flock with the word of God, and for continuing their dedicated service in the border settlements.

The Armenian Patriarch also conveyed his paternal blessing to the Vayots Dzor regional and Jermuk city authorities, who, both in the difficult days of the war and today, stand firmly with the residents in the defense of the homeland.

At the conclusion, His Holiness offered a prayer to God that the Almighty Lord would spread peace in the whole world, keep the Armenian world and people in peace and grant strength and strength to everyone under the auspices of His Most Careful Right.

The Catholicos of All Armenians also had a separate meeting with the members of the youth union of Saint Gayane Church in Jermuk. His Holiness the Patriarch was pleased to get acquainted with the ecclesiastical and patriotic initiatives of the youth. Conveying his blessing and paternal message to the latter, he urged them to remain steadfast in their love and faith in God, to keep their Christ-honoring love for each other, to continue to remain connected to the Mother Church with courage and unshakable faith and to serve the Motherland.

During the meeting, His Holiness also answered the questions of the young people, related to the youth programs of the Armenian Church and their involvement in the efforts aimed at overcoming the existing challenges.

Then the patriarchal delegation, accompanied by the community authorities, visited the hospital in Jermuk, where the Catholicos of All Armenians met with the medical staff and got acquainted with the existing difficulties. Conveying his blessings, the Armenian Patriarch expressed appreciation for the selfless service, thanks to which many lives were saved during the military operations. In the conversation with the medical staff, concerns and existing problems arising from the current situation were discussed.