YEREVAN, JANUARY 23, ARMENPRESS.  On January 22, President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan attended the solemn ceremony dedicated to Feast of St. Sarkis the Warrior held at St. Sarkis church of Araratian Pontifical Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

The ceremony was celebrated by His Eminence Archbishop Navasard Kchoyan, Vicar of the Araratian Pontifical Diocese. Within the framework of the ceremony order of blessing of servicemen that were most vigorous on the front line was conducted.

As “Armenpress” was informed from the Department of Public Relations and Mass Media of Republic of Armenia President’s Staff, the President of the Republic delivered a congratulatory speech on the occasion,

“Honorable parents,

Dear soldiers,

I congratulate you on today’s feast of St. Sarkis with great pleasure. Warrior Sarkis was the saint of military, youth, love and faithfulness, in other words, he was a true saint. Therefore, particularly today I wish to congratulate the soldiers who are present here, who conscripting in Armenian Army transferred into soldiers of Motherland from simple soldiers.  Only those who realize, who are convinced that the security and defense capacity of our Motherland depends on each of us can become soldiers of Motherland. And if someone misconducts his duties in that huge, crowded team, additional hardships are heaped upon the rest. Soldier of Motherland can become only those who realize that perfectly fulfilling their duties they first of all protect their parents, protect their sisters and brothers, mother of their future children, their native home, and finally the combination of all these, Motherland.

Dear soldiers,

I want to express my gratitude to your parents, your teachers, all those, who irrespective of their social conditions, gave you birth, nurtured and educated you passing through immense hardships and sufferings”, the President said, wishing the soldiers good service. The President also added that he, as the Supreme Commander and also as a human being does everything to provide soldiers with modern military equipment so that front line tension could be mitigated.

“I want to ensure all of you that we never made and will never make the security and defense of our motherland subject to trade. Be convinced that the contribution of those soldiers who served before you and, of course, the martyred soldiers, will serve as the basis for Armenia to become invulnerable, powerful state”, the President said, adding that he has asked the Defense Minister to give the soldiers 10-day holiday as a small encouragement for their good service.