Volunteer Defenders Union Day in the Mother See
08.05.2016
On May 8, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the Volunteer Defenders Union Day was celebrated. This year it coincided with the celebration of the second Palm Sunday. On this occasion, under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; a Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the Mother Cathedral.
The celebrant was Rev. Fr. Partev Barseghyan, Vice Chancellor of the Mother See.
During the Divine Liturgy, Father Partev preaching on the mystery of the day, presented the wonder of the Second Palm Sunday, stressing that being initiated by St. Gregory the Illuminator, father of the faith of the Armenian nation, it is specific only to the Armenian Church and clearly embodies the glorious entrance of the Only Begotten into the Heavenly Jerusalem.
“Today we can see that all angels are in joyful bliss, as people at that time, when they welcomed Christ's triumphant entry to Jerusalem. If at that time people were welcoming the Son of God, now the angels have replaced them, praising Jesus as the Son of God”, he noted.
In his remarks, Father Partev reflected on the Volunteer Defenders Union Day and highlighted that it has already been several years that the Volunteers begin their sacred day by participating in Holy Divine Liturgy, and renewed their covenant with God, the Church and the Homeland. Father Partev also added that the victorious May Days are not just dates but are symbols of a vibrant and prosperous homeland.
Speaking on the military operations unleashed by the enemy and the peace that has been disrupted on the Armenian border, the celebrant also said that today Armenian soldiers are committing heroic acts, sacrificing their lives for the homeland, as the triumphant spirit of Avarayr, Sardarapat, and Shushi live on inside of them, and they are educated through the sacred ideas of valiant Armenian ancestors.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy a blessing of the Republic Prayer was offered under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; for the restoration of the undermined peace of the Armenian world.
His Holiness stated that for Armenians May is the month of victories: the Battle of Avarayr, the Sardarapat victory, the victory of the Great Patriotic War, and the liberation of Shushi, Artsakh. Speaking about the provocative actions enacted in April by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces on the borders of Artsakh, and the heroic resistance of Armenian soldiers of the Artsakh Army, His Holiness noted: “The enemy thought that by a surprise attack, he would be able to realize his insidious plan, even reach Stepanakert. But they faced the staunch and brave soldier's spirit. And this confrontation spread across the entire life of the Armenians and united our people, and turned our nation into a single fist. Every Armenian son within his possibilities and capacities stood up and offered his soul in defense of the Homeland.
… We know how to offer our soul in debt to the Homeland, stand firm in our faith and in our patriotism and love towards God, to protect our country, and our free, peaceful and creative life”.
The Catholicos of All Armenians, noted with appreciation that today the Armenian volunteers are engaged in the sacred cause of defending the Homeland and are alongside the Armenian soldiers. On the occasion of the Volunteer Defenders Union Day, His Holiness invited the volunteers and people gathered in the Mother Cathedral to offer a united prayer, so that the Holy Right Hand of the Lord protects the soldiers and generals of the Artskah army, and that every insidious plan of the enemy be crushed against the brave spirit and the strong will of the Army.
The Armenian Pontiff wished that the Blessing of the Lord always protects the Armenian world, and the Armenian sons and daughters with one mind and one heart, with the sense of duty and love towards the Homeland and to live in a peaceful and creative life.
The service was attended by Mr. Karen Grigoryan, Mayor of Etchmiadzin, board members of the Volunteer Defenders Union, representatives of regional councils and local departments, young volunteers and numerous pilgrims.
