KAREKIN II, SERVANT OF JESUS CHRIST,

BY THE MERCY OF GOD AND THE WILL OF THE NATION CHIEF BISHOP AND CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS,

SUPREME PATRIARCH OF THE PAN-NATIONAL PREEMINENT ARARATIAN SEE

THE APOSTOLIC MOTHER CHURCH OF UNIVERSAL HOLY ETCHMIADZIN.

CHRIST-BEQUEATHED GREETINGS OF LOVE AND PONTIFICAL BLESSINGS

TO THE CATHOLICIOSATE OF THE GREAT HOUSE OF CILICIA,

TO THE ARMENIAN PATRIARCHATES

OF HOLY JERUSALEM AND CONSTANTINOPLE,

TO ARCHBISHOPS, BISHOPS, PRIESTS AND DEACONS,

TO DIOCESAN ASSEMBLIES,

DIOCESAN AND PAROCHIAL COUNCILS AND OFFICERS,

AND TO ALL BELOVED FAITHFUL ARMENIAN PEOPLE

“This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” (1 John 5:4)

We give thanks and praise to God, that our nation meets the 100th anniversary of the First Republic of Armenia and the heroic battles of May with restored statehood in Armenia and Artsakh and with achievements. On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of these significant events, we send our Pontifical Message to our beloved people, voicing the message that “This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith”.

A century ago, our people were on the verge of life and death. Ottoman Turkey, taking advantage of the confusion of World War I, carried out its Armenian Genocide program. Western Armenia and Armenian settlements were ruined in Turkey, the Turkish troops even entered Eastern Armenia, thus threatening the existence of our people.

In this fateful hour, in the battles of Sardarapat, Aparan and Karakilisa our people, united into one will, made a stand against the enemy. The call of the Catholicos of All Armenians George V inspired and encouraged with unity, a spirit of victory awoke in people’s hearts, closing escape route. Behind us there was a small portion of our homeland, behind us there was the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, our sacred sanctuary established by Christ, the cradle of our faith and the bases for our identity. The Supreme Patriarch-Catholicos of All Armenians refused to leave the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin managed to unite the people for the fight, saying “I have always believed in the spirit of my people. I know the path of bitterness along which they have traversed. I am also convinced that my Armenian nation has to have the last word. And this word will be victorious.”

Our whole nation that had united into one will and one soul, stood up to save the homeland, its life, its sacred places, to protect its right to live freely in the native land. Eastern Armenia was saved from the ruin and massacre, and after a long pause of five and a half centuries the Armenian statehood was restored. Thanks to God, the heroic spirit of faith, patriotism and devotion united and defended our people that in their supreme effort under the auspices of the Armenian statehood raised their lives in the homeland and the Diaspora and walked on the path of ascension.

Today, the 100th anniversary is an invitation to remain dedicated to our national awakening, to keep our homeland strong and to be consolidated in the homeland. This significant jubilee is also a new milestone for devoting ourselves to strengthening our country and national life, to continue consistent efforts for the settlement of the Artsakh issue, strengthening our army so that peace can be safeguarded within our homeland. The 100th jubilee brings a message of national unity, development of Motherland-Diaspora relations, and the re-establishment of unity in our Church.

Beloved and pious faithful, each of us in our service, throughout our lives preserving the Christian faith, must be able to avoid losses, steering the course from victory to victory, with awareness of service for the welfare of our nation and homeland. Statehood is a foundation of an organized society, the roads of progress, it is a stronghold for living by your own list of values, demonstrating your spiritual power, it is the guarantee of continuing existence as a nation. We should not forget about our sacrifices and sufferings, and supporting each other, build the bright future for all Armenians. We must remember our great ancestors who had given their lives for our Church and nation, we shall surpass ourselves in peace and the love for our homeland, so that our decisions made today will benefit to overcoming the challenges facing our national life and homeland. May our unshakable faith and love for our homeland guide us to make the idea of our homeland forever crowned by Ararat and the prosperity of the Holy See reality. “This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.”

We extend Our Pontifical Message from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to our nation, diocesan and parish organizations of the Armenian Church, national, scientific, educational and cultural institutions, exhorting to celebrate the jubilee with multiple events, turning it into the power of patriotic spirit, civic awareness, sense of duty, unity of the Church and nation, renewal of faith and encouragement for good deeds for the welfare of Homeland and nation.

We pray that our Lord Jesus Christ keep our nation’s faith pure and bless its efforts for the strengthening of our cherished Homeland, the prosperity of our Holy Church and our bright future. May the Lord grant peace to our nation, country and the whole world. Let the mercy, grace and blessings of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ remain with us all, evermore. Amen.