The Supreme Spiritual Council Issued a Statement
04.11.2022
From November 1 to 4, under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; at the convened meeting of the Supreme Spiritual Council, a reference was made to the difficult situation created around the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Artsakh. As a result of the discussions, the Supreme Spiritual Council issued a statement.
Statement
We express deep concern about Azerbaijan's continued aggression towards Armenia and Artsakh, particularly the most serious challenges threatening the Republics of Armenia and Artsakh as a result of the war unleashed during the 44-day war in 2020 and September 13, 2022, as well as the unfavorable geopolitical and regional developments surrounding the two Armenian states.
We are greatly worried about the deterioration of spiritual and moral values in the life of our people, the crisis of identity, intra-societal polarization, the growing feelings of uncertainty and anxiety about the future, the growing sentiments of emigration, which with their corrosive influence make it difficult to overcome the existing ontological challenges.
We offer our prayers to God and send our encouragement to the brave soldiers of the Armenian Army and the heroic people of the border settlements, who with exceptional dedication and self-sacrifice are resisting hostile encroachments and attacks.
We extend our full support to our people of Artsakh in their demand for the right to self-determination, which was expressed in the statement made by the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh a few days ago, and reaffirm that the right to self-determination of the people of Artsakh is non-negotiable.
We welcome the efforts of the international community and friendly countries aimed at establishing stability and peace in the region and peaceful resolution of the existing conflict through negotiations. Within the framework of the peaceful settlement process, the release of captives of war and detained civilians and the return of the bodies of the dead should be prioritized.
With gratitude, we emphasize the mission of the peacekeeping forces in Artsakh in ensuring the security of our people.
We call on the authorities of the Republic of Armenia to make every effort to eliminate the dividing lines in our national life, to stop the discriminatory approaches based on political beliefs, to overcome the atmosphere of hatred and hostility, to initiate a meaningful and healthy dialogue involving all national circles, so that it is possible to ensure the national unity of the Republic of Armenia and the security of the Republic of Artsakh, to restore territorial integrity, to prevent possible new painful human and territorial losses, and to consistently defend the right to self-determination of the people of Artsakh on international platforms.
Overcoming these challenges is vital and ontological and requires unceasing sacrifice from the authorities, the Church, national structures and all our people. The motherland is the guarantee of the nation's permanence, therefore, in order to get the country out of the extreme crisis situation, it is necessary to exclude every sectional aspiration and interest.
We urge all Armenians living in the country and around the world to unite in defense of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Armenia and the right of self-determination of Artsakh.
Throughout history, we have faced the most difficult situations many times, but by God's will, our people, at the cost of many sacrifices, with their high national consciousness and unshakable faith, togetherness and hard work, were able to overcome all difficulties and build their new life. With God's mercy, our people will overcome this test with dignity.
We pray for the Armenians killed, injured, captured, missing and forcibly displaced families as a result of the war, asking for the support and comfort of the Merciful Lord for all the sorrowful and anxious souls and our entire people.
May the Most Merciful God grant peace to the whole world and keep nations and peoples in solidarity, pouring His grace of love and reconciliation into human hearts and souls.
