I wait to see how this is going to develop.  I'm surprised to read the congratulatory messages from the Catholicoi.  Many are protesting this election.  Human Rights Watch reported election fraud,assault, and other violence at the polling stations.

Along the lines of religion and elected officials, a few months ago someone posted a video on YouTube where former president Levon Ter Petrossian asks Robert Kocharian "Hayr Mer@ geetes?"  ("Do you know the Lords Prayer?") Kocharian doesn't know, so he just laughs it off.  Ter Petrossian responds, "Vor asumem do Hye ches!"  (That's why I say you're not Armenian!)  When it comes to making proud statements, every Armenian is so quick to tell you "We're the first Christian nation!"  Well, what does that mean?  Here we have a president of the Armenian nation who does not even know "Our Father!"  That to me is very tragic.

Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services

Address:  Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia

Contact:  Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian

Tel:  +374-10-517163

Fax:  +374-10-517301

E-Mail:  ktrij@etchmiadzin.am

Website:  www.armenianchurch.org

February 29, 2008

To our dear and pious faithful,

We are deeply troubled and distressed with the tense internal political landscape in our country following the presidential elections.  The waves of emotions contain within them seeds of intolerance and confrontation for the sons and daughters of our people.  The current situation is fraught with dangers threatening the internal peace and stability of our country and the reputation of our state.

On the path to independence, our people overcame many difficulties and obstacles, with the hope and faith of seeing a stronger country – not one that is unstable and rocked by divisions, conflicts and tremors.  A divided people are condemned to fail in the realization of their aspirations and in their desires to establish a progressive, prosperous country and a strong state.  As our Lord Jesus Christ says, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand”. (St. Matthew 12:25)

Dear Armenian Sons and Daughters, we exhort you to preserve the spirit of common sense, wisdom and discretion; remain alert and law-abiding.  Disregard all voices provoking hatred and enmity.  Take each step with serious consideration for our country’s reputation, and for our present and future.

We call upon the representatives of the opposition who do not accept the results of the election, to work within legal frameworks, so that the stability of our statehood remains unharmed and that the achievements of our people and the tranquility of their lives are not endangered.  Mass rallies and marches are not the ideal methods to dispute the final results of a completed election.

We call upon the state authorities to exert their utmost efforts using peaceful means to find solutions to the unresolved issues and challenges.

We pray to Almighty God, that He keep our country in tranquility, our Holy Apostolic Church unshaken, and our people dispersed throughout the world in peace, all under His benevolent and watchful gaze.

May the Grace, Love and Peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you and with all. Amen.

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Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services

Address:  Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia

Contact:  Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian

Tel:  +374-10-517163

Fax:  +374-10-517301

E-Mail:  ktrij@etchmiadzin.am

Website:  www.armenianchurch.org

March 2, 2008

On March 2, following Divine Liturgy in the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin, a solemn Repose of Souls service was offered under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, in memory of the victims of the violent clashes which took place in Yerevan on March 1.

His Holiness offered his appeal to Almighty God for eternal rest for the souls of the victims, and invited everyone to unified prayer, asking the Lord to grant peace to Armenia and to the sons and daughters of our nation dispersed throughout the world, so that the Armenian people continue in goodness in this world, creating a peaceful, secure and noble homeland which blooms and blossoms through love.  The Catholicos stated in part, “There is no greater or higher goal in our national life than the solidarity of our people, tranquility of their lives, the stability of our country and the security of our homeland.  It pains us, that we were unable to successfully transmit this awareness to our people and to restrain them from unwise actions.”

The Pontiff of All Armenians has instructed all diocesan primates to conduct visitations to the families of the victims and render all necessary assistance.

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