Armenian Apostolic Church Catholicos Garegin II visited the town of Jermuk, in Armenia’s Vayots Dzor Province, on November 5 and expressed his condolences to those killed in September when Azerbaijan targeted the area with artillery, mortars and large-caliber rifle weapons.  

“We bring our blessing to you and pray to the Heavenly Father to help your Armenians who are facing hardships at this difficult time,” Catholicos Garegin II is quoted as saying according to a statement released by the Etchmiadzin Holy See.

Catholicos Garegin II visited the St. Gayaneh Church in Jermuk and delivered a prayer for peace and prosperity. He prayed for the souls of those who died defending Armenia and Artsakh.

“We came here to say that all we have is our country, our homeland. We must arm ourselves with courage and endurance in order to protect the sacred land where our fathers and our fathers' fathers lived and created, where our children were martyred," Catholicos Garegin II told Jermuk residents, local officials and army personnel who gathered at the church.