Armenian Apostolic Holy Church Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On August 7, following the first court hearing in the criminal case against His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, and six bishops who are members of the Supreme Spiritual Council, the Monastic Clergy of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the faithful present participated in the Evening Service in the Mother Cathedral of the Only-Begotten of Holy Etchmiadzin. At the conclusion of the service, His Holiness imparted his blessing and delivered the following Patriarchal message.

ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS KAREKIN II, CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS, TO THE FAITHFUL GATHERED IN THE MOTHER CATHEDRAL OF HOLY ETCHMIADZIN

Beloved faithful children,

We extend to you Our Patriarchal love, blessing, and appreciation for having first expressed your protest outside the courthouse against the unacceptable actions directed against the Armenian Church, and for now, having gathered together in the Mother Cathedral and offered, with one accord, our prayers to God for our Holy Church and our people.

The Armenian Church is the spiritual cradle and sacred sanctuary of every Armenian. Our Holy Church is the unshakable fortress of our people's faith, leading them to God and salvation, and the steadfast guardian of Armenian identity and our people's national and spiritual heritage.

Today, the authorities and state institutions are taking steps to undermine the Church’s authority, restrict her autonomy, and subject her to their will, while also distorting the understanding of national identity and reshaping sacred symbols and cherished memorials in pursuit of temporary political expediency. Indeed, throughout history, the autonomy of the Church has been one of the foremost guarantees of a nation’s well-being and the strengthening of the state.

It is with deep sorrow that We witness our Holy Church and her clergy being subjected to persecution by the authorities.

Through unlawful and fabricated criminal proceedings, several clergymen, a national benefactor, and other devoted sons and daughters of the nation and the Church have been arrested and deprived of their liberty.

We have just returned from the first court hearing in the proceedings initiated against Us and members of the Supreme Spiritual Council - two archbishops and four bishops - on baseless and unjust charges. The hearing did not take place because the presiding judge recused himself.

Dear faithful, We are filled with faith and determination to defend Our lawful and just rights, guaranteed both by the Constitution of our state and the fundamental principles of international law.

With this awareness and sense of responsibility, and with love for Our nation and Homeland, We shall continue to fulfill the mission entrusted to Us by the Lord despite every hardship and obstacle, for, as the Psalmist says, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1). Without doubt, Our trust is in God, and while Our ministry is devoted to the pious Armenian people throughout the world and to Our beloved Homeland.

Beloved faithful children of the Armenian nation,

At this hour of our prayerful unity, We express with paternal love Our appreciation to you, to all Our devoted children in Armenia and throughout the Diaspora, to national and public organizations, attorneys, and representatives of the academic, educational, cultural, and political spheres—all who, in these difficult circumstances, steadfastly and zealously support the Mother Church and her mission for the good of the nation.

We must remain steadfast and, together, make tireless and determined efforts so that lawlessness, discrimination, and intolerance may cease in our country, and that the rhetoric of hostility and hatred may find no place.

We must continue our tireless efforts so that our Homeland and national life may be renewed in the spirit of brotherly love and harmony; that truth, the rule of law, and justice may prevail in our lives; that the age-old ordinances and traditions of the Church may be honored; and that the religious feelings of the faithful may not be offended.

My Patriarchal exhortation to all of you is to remain vigilant and prudent, not to yield to provocations or malicious schemes, but to stand firm in faith and hope, for God brings forth good for His Holy Church and His faithful people even from every evil design and every trial.

It is through trials that our faith is strengthened, our steadfast devotion to God, our Homeland, and the Church is manifested, and our unwavering fidelity to our sacred national and spiritual values is affirmed.

Therefore, in the face of external and internal threats, let us strengthen our national unity, enrich our path through deeds of devotion to our Homeland and service to our people, and, as the Apostle exhorts us, "be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." (Ephesians 6:10).

We believe that, by the mercy of God and through the selfless devotion and love of our people, our Holy Church will overcome these trials as well and secure new achievements in the course of her mission, for the welfare and glory of all Armenians.

Our eyes are fixed upon God, and our efforts are directed toward building our Homeland and serving our people. May God bless the Armenian State and preserve our people—in the Homeland and throughout the Diaspora—in peace and tranquility, today and always and forever.

May the grace, love, and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you and with all. Amen.