News - The Catholicos of All Armenians distributed his blessing to the pilgrims who arrived at the Mother See.

On October 19, at the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, distributed his patriarchal blessing to thousands of participants organized by the 'In Our Way' movement toward the spiritual center of the Armenian people. This is reported by the Mother See's Information System. In the Mother Cathedral, a united prayer was held under the presidency of the Most Holy Pontiff, after which His Holiness delivered his message to the assembled pilgrims. Beloved pilgrim children, With the patriarchal blessing we greet you at the Mother See of Saint Echmiadzin, from which, generation to generation, the God-given faith, patriotism, and national spirit have been handed down to Armenian life: Your pilgrimage to Saint Echmiadzin testifies to your love and unwavering devotion to our Holy Church and to our national values. Through the Holy Echmiadzin, our people have remained united and steadfast throughout the centuries. Today our homeland stands before the gravest challenges. External serious threats are paired with distortions of national values and identity, along with internal division that deepens as intolerance and hatred take root, giving rise to new divisions. Our hearts are heavy as we see how loyal Armenians and clergy— Fr. Mikhael Ajapahyan, Fr. Bagrat Galstanyan, Fr. Mkrtich Prroshyan, Fr. Garegin Arsenyan, the nationally renowned benefactor Sir Samvel Karapetyan, and other civilian individuals—are imprisoned by political decisions and false or fabricated charges. Our love and our prayers are with them, and we believe that with God's help we will restore justice so that our children, our brothers and sisters who have been unjustly imprisoned may be released. Beloved ones, we express our gratitude to each of you for your fidelity to our Holy Church and for the support you have shown to the clergy in these turbulent days. In the face of anti-church condemnable actions by the ruling power, our Holy Church remains steadfast and strong with our faithful people, and with the same zeal it will continue to pursue its God-entrusted mission, also safeguarding the interests of our nation and homeland. Our call to the faithful children is to stand firm, not to falter, not to yield to the difficulties and trials of our time, but to advance with courage in our apostolic mission, as it is written: “God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and self-control” (2 Tim. 1:7). Together, through common effort, let us strengthen hope and faith in our lives, and goodness and peace in our land. With solidarity and unity, we must make possible the realization of our visions for strengthening the state and for building the homeland. We pray that the Almighty God, with His Holy Hand, will preserve our homeland, our Armenian Apostolic Church, and strengthen our people with an indomitable spirit to face all challenges. May the Lord grant security and well-being to our nation in Armenia and in the diaspora today and always and forever. May your pilgrimage be fulfilled, beloved ones.