Independent Armenia was born when our people reached the peak of self-awareness”: Bagrat Srbazan

Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, who is currently imprisoned, issued a message on the occasion of Republic Day.

“From the logic of victories in the heroic battles of Bash Aparan, Sardarapat, and Karakilisa, our independent Armenia was born. Born from the will of a people abandoned, oppressed, sick, and subjected to Genocide, from their drive toward victory. Born at the moment when our people reached the heights of self-awareness and self-knowledge, realizing that this was their last refuge, and heeding the call of Patriarch Gevorg V Surenyants, which rang out thus: ‘My people have not yet spoken their last word to the dishonorable enemy, and that word will be VICTORIOUS.’

The brief speech of Catholicos Gevorg Surenyants served as the occasion for awakening, for rising up, and for restoring to this people their vision of victory. The Patriarch said: ‘I will not leave the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, but will accept a martyr’s death here as the one seated upon this Throne.’ With these words, he called upon the people to stand in defense and service of their sacred places, their identity, and their very existence.

Today we face the same reality, fighting not only an external but also an internal enemy, so as to first liberate our home, and then rebuild it together with our honor and our lives.
Happy holiday, independent Armenia!” – reads the message of Bagrat Srbazan.