In mid-September, Azerbaijan launched a military operation against the indigenous population of Artsakh, after imposing a nine-month blockade, resulting in the forced displacement of Artsakh Armenians from their homeland. Today, Armenians worldwide are enduring yet another episode of ethnic cleansing all while justice for the Armenian genocide that occurred in 1915 remains elusive. And as in the past, Armenians draw solace and strength from their faith just like the biblical passage in Romans 5:5 promises: “Hope does not put us to shame.”
In solidarity with Artsakh, prayers were offered, and requiem services were conducted in all Armenian churches, in response to the call made by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I. Following this, on Sunday, October 1st, 2023, during the Divine Liturgy celebrating the feast of the Holy Cross of Varak, conducted by His Grace Bishop Torkom Donoyan, the Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the USA, His Holiness Aram I presided over the prayers and the requiem service for the repose of the souls who fell for their homeland.
Bishop Torkom delivered a sermon in which he emphasized the significance of the Holy Cross in the lives of Armenians, particularly in times of collective suffering, and exhorted the faithful to maintain their unwavering belief in God’s justice.
As he recounted the origins of the feast, he explained that a relic of the Holy Cross which has been faithfully safeguarded by a 4th-century martyr, Saint Hripsime, had been revealed on Mount Varak to two pilgrims named Totik and Hovel in the 7th-century. Under the leadership of Catholicos Nerses III the Builder, the Feast of Holy Cross of Varak was established. He further added that the Armenian Church celebrates the three well-known feasts of the Holy Cross which are revered by all Churches, while this fourth feast—the feast of the Holy Cross of Varak—is unique to the Armenian Church. He reassured the faithful that Armenians continue to raise their prayers, seeking God’s guidance on their journey through their own Golgotha.
Finally, he stated that the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia remains faithful to its mission and continues its efforts to offer humanitarian assistance to Artsakh Armenians. In particular, under the auspices of Catholicos Aram I, a special body has been formed to provide aid to those who have been forcibly displaced.
