Armenian Apostolic Holy Church The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On January 28, in the St. Gayane Monastery, with the blessings of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; a Divine Liturgy was offered; on the occasion of the Armed Forces Day of the Republic of Armenia. The Celebrant was Rev. Fr. Archimandrite Movses Sargsyan, Head Chaplain of the RA Armed Forces Ministry.

In his sermon, the Celebrant, referring to the sacrament of peace, specifically mentioned: "The Bible teaches us that God wants peace, but it is people who believe in God who must establish peace, fighting if necessary."

According to Archimandrite Movses, the Holy Church has documented that for the sake of peace one must always be ready for war and war must be waged precisely to re-establish peace and restore justice, because love for God and friends compels Christians to seek a just peace, and the most important condition for achieving that peace is the army. 

"Dear friends, the Armenian Army, which fought many wars for peace and security and is ready to face the threats of war today, is celebrating the 32nd anniversary of its formation, and the army continues to be the only force that can establish peace and ensure the tranquility of the state. The RA Armed Forces are the enforcers of God's peace for our country, and the blessed peacemakers are the faithful officers and soldiers of those same armed forces. Our Lord Jesus gave His life as a peacemaker and this is the price that many people paid to establish peace in our country," emphasized Reverend Fr. Archimandrite Movses, wishing that Christ's love, graces and support always be with the Armenian Army and grant every soldier the will and determination to impose peace every second.

At the conclusion of the solemn ceremony of the Divine Liturgy, on the occasion of the 32nd anniversary of the Armenian Army, a Prayer for the Republic was offered by His Eminence Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan, Chancellor of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, during which the clergymen and the attending faithful people raised a prayer to God for world peace, stability and the victorious progress of the Armenian Army.