With a victorious past and hopeful future, but also with great losses, today we commemorate the victory and heroism in the Great Patriotic War, the Liberation of Shushi, and the Defense of Artsakh.

The victory and triumph of the spirit have been commemorated by the Catholicos of All Armenians, who stated, “With this spiritual and sacred act, our Holy Apostolic Church unites the commemoration of the Resurrection and Ascension of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ along with the reinforcement of the Primacy of the Armenian Church and the affirmation of the Holy Altar of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. On May 9, with the unity of national, state, and ecclesiastical significant events, we fully express the victory.”

Free Artsakh, despite the pain and sacrifice, stands tall and proud, while our sanctuaries and monasteries remain abandoned and destroyed. The borders of Armenia are in danger, and under the burden of losses, our people’s lives, the cornerstone of our homeland, are in crisis, and our national treasure is in decline.

In the midst of crises and obligations, we turn to the Source of Life, to the Most High God, who in the trials and struggles of thousands of years, in victories and sacrifices, in holocausts and revivals, has upheld our faith and retained the spiritual and national values. On the 1441st anniversary of the transfer of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin from Dvin to Vagharshapat, our fathers dedicated the Armenian Apostolic Church to the Armenian people and nation.

Holy Etchmiadzin, the spiritual abode of the Armenian people, the fortress of the Armenian national identity, the beacon of our nation’s victories and the guardian and preserver of our national treasures, continues its mission today as well. Holy Etchmiadzin’s presence symbolizes the power and inseparability of our victories. We are the descendants of our heroes who, through their brave deeds and struggles, have strengthened and uplifted our nation, our homeland, our knowledge, and our culture.

Under the burden of crises and difficulties, we now turn to the Source of Light, to God, to enlighten our people’s path towards new horizons.

Dear venerable nation,

Our hearts desire the same thoughts and wishes that nourish the souls of our people, that uplift the hearts, that alleviate the burden of the struggling spirit, and that foster love and unity. Let us gather under the light of the victorious banner of the Armenian state and nation, with the blessings of the Lord, and in unity, let us continue our nation’s journey towards new horizons.

Let us pray that God blesses Armenia, removes it from the hardships of new crises, and grants our heroic people the strength and courage to overcome obstacles, revive the spirit of our ancestors, dispel the darkness of fear and uncertainty, and preserve our national identity and creativity.

We express our gratitude on this historic day, May 9, to all those who have contributed to the progress of the Armenian people, the prosperity of our nation and the success of our sacred goals. May all be well and prosperous today and always.