On Sunday, April 21st, 2024, during the Divine Liturgy at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, in his Pontifical message to the faithful, spoke of the suffering Armenian population of Artsakh and their struggle. He assured them of the commitment of the Armenian church to seek solutions and affirm their right to return to their historical homeland.
Archbishop Gomidas Ohanian celebrated the Divine Liturgy. The participants of the special conference on Artsakh taking place in Antelias, were also among the faithful at the Cathedral.
In his sermon, His Holiness reminded the congregation, of the mission Christ had delegated to his disciples. The Armenian church he said, continued to exist because of its active witness to the inherited mission. “As I think back on the history of the Armenian Church from that perspective, it becomes obvious that the Armenian Church and the people have always been one. Therefore, the burning issues of the people of Artsakh are also our issues. The Armenian Church has always remained loyal and aware of its prophetic role. In response to its calling, the vocation of the Church has been to provide counsel, confront evil, and lead to the right path, following the examples of priests and Patriarchs such as, ‘Ghevont Yerets’ and Khrimian Hayrig.”
His Holiness Aram I, expressed his concern for the recent attitude towards the Church in Armenia, aiming at marginalizing its historical role, and stated: “In the face of such situations and attempts, we say “NO”. We refuse such attitudes and initiatives, whether from individuals or governing authorities. These actions are incompatible with our people and culture, the mission of the church, its essence and witness of our history”. On this occasion, His Holiness Aram I, expressed his solidarity with the Catholicosate of all Armenians, emphasizing that the Armenian church was one church, with its two Catholicosates. Therefore, any action, any position, or expression against St. Etchmiadzin, would also mean for the Catholicosate of Cilicia. “Our Church is one and we cannot remain silent in front of such attitudes.” After the affirmation, His Holiness Aram I reminded me that the Catholicosate of Cilicia understood its vocation as a mission of faith and service to the nation. “Our history has proven that the spiritual and the national, the homeland, the nation and the church make together an integrated One. The Church should not identify itself with any political, governmental, or ideological institution. It should identify with the ultimate benefits for Armenia and the ideals of the nation he insisted.”
His Holiness referred to the attitude and position of the Catholicosate towards the problems related to the homeland, and the challenges, and said: “We have often mentioned and will repeat stating that for us, Artsakh is not the past. Artsakh is always present in our life, it is our struggle, it will always be a priority on the agenda of the Catholicosate of Cilicia.” On this basis Catholicos Aram I mentioned the conference organized by Cilicia Analytic Platform in Antelias.
His Holiness explained the purpose of the Platform, the Conference, the participants, and their areas of specialization, qualification, and involvement. His Holiness emphasized once more that the Holy See of Cilicia was with the people of Artsakh and would endeavor for the resolution of its problem. With the support of the international community, the Catholicosate will seek legal and political avenues. The genocide in Artsakh and the struggle required concrete action beyond slogans. His Holiness reminded that the history of Armenians had not been one of concession, but one of advocacy and political struggle. The struggle of all Armenians, in Armenia and Artsakh was also theirs. Therefore, he concluded, “Let us ask for the blessings of the Almighty, let us reaffirm our faith and hope for our people in Artsakh and Armenia; Let us unite with God’s blessing, and show the world that we have one homeland and we are one and inseparable people. With this conviction, let us continue to back and support our nation.”
