Pascha in Armenia

(Armenian Church) - "The Risen Christ is the way of life. With Christ, we have the power to be renewed and to improve life" His Holiness Karekin II.

On April 4, the Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Jesus Christ was celebrated in the spiritual headquarters of the Armenian Church, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. On the occasion of the Dominical Feast, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Holy Cathedral of Holy Descent.

Surrounded by crosses and banners, the Ecclesiastical procession, led His Holiness Karekin II processed to the Mother Cathedral for the commencement of the Easter Divine Liturgy. His Holiness was accompanied by Mr. Serzh Sargsian, President of the Republic of Armenia.

The Pontifical Canopy Bearers were: Mr. Aris Atamian and Mr. Vasken Yacoubian, members of the Central Board of Directors of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU); Mr. Levon Sargsian, President of the "Pyunik" Benevolent Foundation; and Mr. Ara Babloyan, Deputy of the National Assembly.

Assisting His Holiness during the celebration of the solemn Divine Liturgy were His Grace Bishop Arshak Khachatrian, Chancellor of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and His Grace Bishop Anushavan Jamkochian, Dean of the Mother Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Yerevan.

In his Pontifical message to the Armenian nation, His Holiness announced the good tidings "Christ is Risen from the dead".

His Holiness quoted the biblical passage; "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called." (1 Timothy 6:12) and reflected on the mystery of the Glorious Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, encouraging the faithful to fearlessly approach the Lord.

"He can renew the world heavy laden with sins with a single word; by seeing remorse and the desire and effort to change in the souls of men. He knows the hearts of men and their thoughts; He knows the aims of all deeds and will grant each according to his faith and hope in God. It is with this confidence that the apostle who has seen the Risen Savior exhorts us to lay hold with Jesus Christ on the hope for eternal life, and to steadfastly and unyieldingly fight the good fight of faith.

Dearly pious faithful, in accordance with the words of the Gospel, life in this world is a spiritual war for us faithful, and at every turn, in every thought or word, it is necessary to choose the true and the good, to be found righteous before one another and before God, so that divinely-given love always shines throughout life. There is no alternative in the good fight of faith, there is no compromise, since it is a war against satan – the one who desires the downfall and death of men. It appeared that satan was victorious, when Christ was crucified and placed in the tomb. However, through the Lord’s glorious and ineffable resurrection, evil and its power were destroyed, since it is God’s will that man be saved.

The Risen Christ is the way of life. With Christ, we have the power to be renewed and to improve life. As Christ’s earthly life brought goodness to humanity, so too shall the life of those who believe in Him, since the way of faith is that special heroism with which men are called to be the fearless implementers of God’s saving will on earth, to be the ‘fragrance of Christ before God’ [II Corinthians 2:15]."

His Holiness reflected on the present world and stated, "Often as well today, the temporary (material) goods of this life, are given priority over the eternal ones. And truly, there will never be peace, unfaltering prosperity and happiness wherever the good fight of faith is not being waged; wherever Barabbas is chosen over Christ".

"Our people chose Christ as Lord and Savior. And with Him as our refuge throughout the centuries, we have overcome countless ordeals and have emerged with faith from the graves prepared for us. Today, the sacred mystery of Christ’s resurrection gloriously ascends and illuminates Armenian life, since we commemorate the 95th anniversary of the Genocide of the Armenians in the reality of independent Armenian statehood and a Diaspora in renaissance. Yes, the 20th century was an era of tragedy, but also one of rebirth for our people. Passing through the Golgotha of genocide, our people in dispersion and in the homeland, who overcame infinite deprivations and sacrifices, sprouted a new life, continued to create, and walk today with lasting accomplishments in harmony with the times. Relying on Christ, our people were committed to the hope of a peaceful and prosperous world, and believed in the triumph of liberty and justice. With this vision and confidence, we shall continue to defend our righteous cause, that resonates today in the hearts of many people throughout the world, even though the Armenian Genocide as of yet has not been universally recognized and condemned. We shall also continue our efforts in the recognition of the independence of the Republic of Nagorno Karabagh and to eliminate the illegal blockade of our country", - stated the Pontiff of All Armenians.

His Holiness stated in part, "It is necessary today as well to fight the good fight of faith, so that the worship of God, love and harmony be steadfast in our lives; so that goodness is lasting; and our deeds are productive for the sake of our present and our future".

The Pontiff of All Armenians exhorted, "Each individual in his sphere of service and his work, shall make progress with the saving Will of God and the divinely pleasing path of love for homeland. Let us remain faithful to the holy and righteous life of Christianity chosen by our pious forebears. In our families, in our personal relationships, and in the participation of our national life, let us keep bright the luminous lamp of faith".

With good tidings of "Christ is Risen from the dead ", His Holiness extended His greetings to the Patriarchs of the hierarchal Sees of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church and to all the clergy.

His Holiness extended His Pontifical blessings and greetings to Mr. Serzh Sargsian, President of the Republic of Armenia, and to all the state officials, asking that Almighty God grant them blessings for the sake of the homeland and welfare of the nation all over the world.

Present for the Easter Divine Liturgy were Mr. Hovik Abrahamian, Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, Mr. Berge Setrakian, President of the Central Board of Directors of the AGBU, representatives of the National Assembly and major branches of Government as well members of the Supreme Spiritual Council, ambassadors and leaders of diplomatic missions accredited to Armenia, representatives of international organizations, Armenian benefactors, and representatives from academia and the arts.

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the Pontiff of All Armenians hosted a reception in the Pontifical Residence during which he extended Pontifical blessings and best wishes to the guests in attendance.