In today’s difficult conditions, it is more important than ever to be united and remain rallied around the homeland: Karekin II

Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, has sent a congratulatory message on the occasion of Armenia’s Independence Day.

“From the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, we extend our patriarchal blessing to our people in the Homeland and in the Diaspora, and congratulate them on the feast of Independence.

Today we mark the 35th anniversary of the restoration of independent Armenian statehood. Over these years, our Homeland has passed through many trials, but our people never gave up, never despaired, and, even at the cost of great sacrifices, continued the sacred mission of building the Homeland and used their potential for national awakening.

Today’s Independence Day is a call to reconsider the path we have traveled and the course of our lives. In today’s difficult conditions, it is more important than ever to be united and remain rallied around the homeland, so that we may be able to withstand internal and external threats.

Strengthened by the sacrament of the feast of Independence, let us, with unwavering devotion, develop and adorn our country, and with all zeal and responsibility defend our people’s right to a free and secure life on this sacred land. Let us hold firmly to the hope, faith, and love of Christ, remain faithful to our national-spiritual values, and together build a just, law-abiding, and united society for the sake of our safe and bright future.

We raise a prayer to God to keep our native country in peace, to guide our people with the wisdom of His Holy Spirit, and to grant them a prosperous and flourishing life. Amen,” the Catholicos’s message reads.