Armenian Apostolic Holy Church Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

Dear ones, deviation from this Christ-marked path turns the world into a stage of injustice, misery, and calamity; it plunges it into the darkness of delusion and leads to the distortion of personal and social life, the perversion and destruction of values, manifestations of which we also witness in our own reality. Today, faith and trust toward one another are weakening; disrespectful and unrestrained behavior is perceived as courage; freedom of speech is met with intolerance toward dissenting views; dialogue is reduced to insults and defamation; and the common good, patriotic and selfless service, is subordinated to narrow personal and group interests. Our Holy Church continues to be subjected to oppression. This situation is a serious blow to the authority of our nation and state and a deep wound inflicted upon communities and believers. Despite unlawful and anti-canonical actions, our Holy Church, together with its devout people, remains firm and unshaken, faithful to its God-given calling and mission. The Armenian Church is holy and sanctifying, founded through the preaching of our Lord Jesus Christ’s holy Apostles Thaddeus and Bartholomew as a “place of purification for humankind, a dwelling of angels, and the house of God.” Throughout the course of history, our Apostolic Mother Church has been subjected to numerous assaults, has passed through dreadful trials and sufferings, has been martyred and sacrificed, yet has never become captive to despair, for she has understood that true freedom and salvation are found in obedience to Christ and in placing trust in Him. Life in Christ is filled with love and mercy, integrity and justice. Christ is the Way from darkness to light, from sin to holiness.