Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II issued the following New Year’s message.

Dear pious people in Armenia, Artsakh and the diaspora,

On the eve of the New Year, we bring our patriarchal blessing, love and best wishes from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

We lived a year full of pain and bitterness. The aftermath of the catastrophic Artsakh war, Armenia and Artsakh, the complicated and disturbing processes unfolding around our homeland, the difficult situation in the country have deprived us of the natural joy of everyday life, like Christmas.

Nevertheless, we celebrate the New Year with hope and faith that we will rebuild our patriotic life, we will make every effort to protect the rights of our people in Artsakh.

We are a people who believe in the resurrection of Christ, in the centuries pain, suffering and death have never defeated us, we have risen with the power of the grace of the Lord, with optimism for tomorrow.

We believe that by the mercy of God, with the firm commitment of our people, we will be able to make the year of salvation 2022 a year of national, patriotic accomplishments. The way to the strengthening of Armenia, the free and secure life of Artsakh, the prosperity of our people all over the world is our unification around a common vision of the future, as well as the way of life and deeds anchored on national and spiritual values. Everywhere, for the love of the homeland, let us reconsider our course, let go of the evil of intolerance and hatred, let go of irresponsible, patriotic words and deeds, be kind, be in love, be united, so that we feel the gracious presence of God in our lives again.

In the face of the complex developments in our region, the challenges facing our country, we cannot succeed in striving to build a strong homeland, if we do not first restore the atmosphere of trust, re-establish our internal peace. In the face of the sacred memory of our martyred children, with humility and gratitude, by the example of the devotion and love of our heroes for the homeland and the nation, let us do everything possible for the progress of the country and the state, for the welfare of our people. Let us remain strong and steadfast in our zeal to be guided by the national interest and God will bring forth for us the fruits of righteousness (cf. 2 Corinthians 9:10).

At this sacred moment of the New Year, we invite all of you to pray together, that with the blessing of the Most High Lord, our good aspirations in personal, family, national and patriotic life will become a reality. Let us pray for the Armenian Army, our soldiers guarding the borders of the homeland. Let us pray for all those who celebrate the New Year in their service. Let us pray for the oppressed, the needy, the sick, our disabled, captive, missing sons, their grieving families. Let us pray for our children in distress in Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq, so that with the support of the Heavenly Lord, the problems they face may be overcome.

Let us ask for peace and security in Armenia and Artsakh, our homeland, our people all over the world, and the whole world. And may God, who gave us eternal comfort, good hope, as grace, comfort our hearts in every good word and deed (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2: 15-16). May the love, mercy, and blessing of the Lord always be with us all. Happy New Year.