On October 19, Mother See in St. Etchmiatsn, H.E. Karekin the Second Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians distributed his patriarchal blessing to thousands of participants of the pilgrimage to the spiritual center of all Armenians organized by the "Our way" movement.
This is reported from the Mother See.
A united prayer was performed in the Mother Cathedral of Miatznaej under the presiding of His Holiness, after which His Holiness delivered his message to the pilgrims present.
"Dear pilgrim children,
With the patriarchal blessing, we welcome you to the Holy Mother See of Etchmiadzin, from where the faith, patriotism and national spirit have been transmitted to the life of Armenians from generation to generation.
Your pilgrimage to St. Etchmiadzin proves your love and unconditional devotion to our Holy Church and national values. Our nation has always remained united and indomitable throughout the centuries thanks to St. Etchmiadzin.
Today, our motherland is facing serious challenges. Severe external threats are combined with the mutilation of national values and cherished perceptions of identity, internal division, which deepens by instilling intolerance and hatred, bringing forth new divisions.
Our hearts are heavy, seeing how devoted Armenians, churchmen, Fr. Archangel Michael Ajapahyan, T. King Bagrat: Galstanyan, T. Baptist Epis. Proshyan, T. Karegin Fr. Arsenyan, famous national philanthropist Mr. Samvel Karapetyan and other civil figures. Our love, our prayers are with them, and we believe that with God's help, we will be able to restore justice, so that our children, our brothers and sisters, who were illegally imprisoned, will be released.
Beloveds, We express our appreciation to all of you for your loyalty to our Holy Church and the support you have shown to the clergy in these turbulent days. Despite the reprehensible anti-church actions by the ruling power, our Holy Church is unshakable, powerful, faithful with our people and will continue to fulfill its mission with the same zeal, pursuing also the protection of the interests of our nation and homeland. Our call to our believing children is to remain strong, not to be weak, not to stumble in the face of difficulties and trials, but to move forward with apostle-like courage, saying, "God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but of power, love and sensitivity" (2 Tim. 1:7). Together, let's strengthen hope and faith in our lives, good and peace in our country with joint efforts. With solidarity and unity, we should be able to realize our universal visions of strengthening the state and building the motherland.
We pray that the Almighty God will protect our homeland, our Armenian Apostolic Church and strengthen our people to face all challenges with an indomitable spirit. May the Lord grant security and prosperity to the Armenians of my nation in Armenia and in the diaspora of the world today and always and forever. every
Fulfill your vow, dear ones.'
