STEPANAKERT, APRIL 13, ARMENPRESS/ARTSAKHPRESS.  Catholicos of all Armenians, His Holiness Karekin II and Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I visited St.Hovhannes Mkrtich church of Gandzasar on April 13 where they gave Patriarchal blessings to Artsakh and soldiers of the Armenian army.

“Armenpress” reports the two Armenian Catholicoses prayed for peace in Artsakh and safety of Armenian soldier. His Holiness Karekin II, addressing the believers, said that they have come to Artsakh to express their solidarity and to encourage the brave people and authorities of Artsakh.

“Soldiers of the Armenian army heroically resisted the military operations unleashed by Azerbaijan, wrecking their plan to solve Karabakh problem through military means. The enemy, equipped by modern arms, was unable to succeed, being defended by Artsakh that has taken the path of independence”, Catholicos of all Armenians said.

Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I mentioned in his speech that this is the first time he visits Artsakh but it is always in his soul as an eternal value.

“I bow in front of the memory of all those hero soldiers, who shed their valuable blood on their way to the defense of the Motherland.

The Artsakh liberation war displayed that Armenians best know their Motherland. We have come here to say that our Church is with the Armenian people, freedom and justice. We are armed with our belief, culture and weapon for the sake of the defense of our freedom and rights. We never tried to infringe others’ rights during the history, but whenever there was an attempt to infringe our rights, we rushed to the battlefield for the Motherland”, Aram I said.

Primate of the Artsakh Diocese Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan, President of NKR National Assembly Ashot Ghulyan, other officials and high ranking Defense Army Officers and soldiers were present at the Patriarchal Blessing.