Armenian Apostolic Holy Church The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On December 18, in the St. Gayane Monastery, following the Divine  Liturgy, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; presided over a prayer for peace and solidarity for the sake of Artsakh.

During the service, the Brotherhood of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the attending faithful offered their prayers to God for the peace of Armenia and Artsakh, our homeland and the safe and secure life of the entire Armenian people.

At the conclusion, the Catholicos of All Armenians conveyed his message to the people of Artsakh and all Armenians, emphasizing in particular: "These days, with upset and worried hearts, all our eyes are directed towards the Armenian world of Artsakh. For seven days now, the authorities of Azerbaijan have closed Artsakh's only way of communication with Armenia and the world with obvious provocative actions and false reasons, leaving the people of Artsakh in a humanitarian disaster. 120,000 of our brothers and sisters from Artsakh who are blocked are deprived of the possibility of free movement, many patients are deprived of the necessary medical care, and the Republic of Artsakh is deprived of vital supplies.

His Holiness, referring to these tragic realities, mentioned: "Today, Azerbaijan is trying to depopulate Artsakh by instilling fear. It is impossible to imagine that in today's world, which declares a person and his dignified and free life as the highest value, it is possible that similar anti-human manifestations against an entire people can find a place and be tolerated”.

Noting that only words of condemnation are not enough to curb Azerbaijan's expansionist ambitions and stop its hostile course, His Holiness emphasized that the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church will continue to make efforts so that the international community, friendly states, Christian sister Churches, international and inter-church organizations provide possible support and provide assistance to Artsakh and the children of the Armenian people of Artsakh.

Addressing the people of Artsakh, the Armenian Patriarch stated in part: "Dear citizens of Artsakh, we convey to you our prayers and support from the  Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. My Armenian nation is united in your just demand to live free, independent and safe. Continue to remain undaunted, strong in faith, and live with the optimism of daily big and small victories. We must bravely face all the calamities that have plagued us, so that Artsakh lives with the spirit of Artsakh people, with the cries of newborn children, with rich Armenian testimonies, historical buildings and centuries-old sanctuaries."

His Holiness appealed to the Armenians living in Armenia and the Diaspora: "Artsakh and the protection of the rights of Artsakh Armenians is a matter of  the dignity of our people. It is the issue of the dignity of every Armenian, wherever he lives, in Armenia or in the Diaspora. Our people of Artsakh need everyone's attention and support. The settlement of the problems of Artsakh Armenians is a non-negotiable priority and cannot be replaced by any other concern. Let us realize that Artsakh is our homeland, the interests of Armenia and Artsakh are identical, and the security of Artsakh is inextricably linked to the security of Armenia.

We convey our Patriarchal message to all our people, to shake off any manifestation of indifference, to be more decisive and active, to pursue and support the rights of Artsakh Armenians, the free and independent life of Artsakh with united efforts and responsibility. This is a struggle to preserve our national identity."

His Holiness wished that by the good will of the Lord, a lasting and dignified peace would be established in Armenia and Artsakh, for the benefit of our sacred Homeland and God-loving people.