Remembering a grim anniversary for the Armenian people, as we confront another crisis today.
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Two years ago this week, on September 27, 2020, Armenian faithful across the world expected to greet the morning in a spirit of joy, to celebrate the unique Armenian Church feast day of the Holy Cross of Varak.
Instead, we awakened to the horror of a vicious attack on our homeland, including the shelling bombardment of the entire border of the Artsakh republic, and its capital city of Stepanakert. It was a true Day of Infamy in the modern history of the Armenian people: an unprovoked surprise attack by the hostile neighboring country of Azerbaijan, leading to 44 days of catastrophic war for our peaceful, innocent people living on their ancient homeland of Armenia and Artsakh.
Now, two years later, we carry the burden of yet another infamous attack, launched just last week—this time on the eastern border of Armenia itself—and we have no way of knowing where this latest outrage will lead.
Yet out of our anxiety and pain, Armenians have become profoundly aware that the events of autumn 2020, and now of 2022, are part of a struggle that has been going on for generations: extending back to the time of Artsakh’s independence; back to the time of the Genocide; still further back to generations of which we, the living, are only dimly aware—but which are known, and remembered, by our merciful Lord.
Fr. Mesrop Parsamyan, Primate of the Eastern Diocese, asks all our faithful to call on the Lord in our own troubling times, as our pious ancestors did in ages past.
“This week,” Fr. Mesrop says, “as we marked 31 years of blessed independence for our homeland, while we bear under the uncertainties of the present day, let us unite our voices in prayer for Armenia and Artsakh, and for all our people. Whether in times of hope or moments of affliction, we place our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, above all else. It is to Him we pray again today:
“Lord Jesus, our God and Savior: Please keep watch over your faithful people and the holy soil of Arstakh and Armenia. We pray for the preservation of this small but precious homeland you have given us. We pray for relief from the constant tension of living among hostile enemies.
“Remember every precious Armenian soul that has fallen in our ongoing struggle. Bestow your peace upon their loving families. Let it never be said that their heroic sacrifices were made in vain.
“Inspire all of your children among us—every Armenian soul across the world—to stand in resolute solidarity with Armenia and Artsakh.
“Above all, continue to bless, protect, and strengthen our sacred homeland, its peace-loving citizens, and its courageous defenders—now and always, and to the end of this age. Amen.”