Prompted by this week’s news from Artsakh–involving the closure of the road connecting it to Armenia, and the shutting down of its gas supplies–Diocesan Primate Fr. Mesrop Parsamyan sent a “call to action” to the faithful of the Eastern Diocese.
In his directive to parish leadership, Fr. Mesrop urges people to contact their government representatives in support of Artsakh, and in condemnation of this latest act of cruelty against them. Read the entire directive dated December 14, 2022 below.
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Act in Support of Artsakh
My Dear Friends:
If you have been keeping up with the news from our homeland this week, you will know that our long-suffering people in Artsakh have been dealt yet another blow to their right to a peaceful, humane existence. This time, the forces of Azerbaijan have cut off precious fuel supplies to Artsakh.
By way of background, under the trilateral agreement of November 9, 2020, Azerbaijan guaranteed the safety of citizens, vehicles, and goods traveling between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabagh. Azerbaijan has violated the terms of this agreement several times in the ensuing, painful two years. But in this latest episode, and twice now in two weeks, Azeri forces have closed off the single, solitary road connecting Artsakh with Armenia.
With the road closure continuing for a second day, Azerbaijan has cut off gas supplies to Artsakh. With the winter months already upon us, this cruel act can only lead to a desperate humanitarian crisis for our people in Artsakh.
The Azeris have tried to justify this outrage under the pretext of an “environmental” concern; but it is clearly part of their ongoing campaign to harass, provoke, endanger, and otherwise make life intolerable for Armenians inhabiting our historic homeland.
From the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, has issued a statement of condemnation. “We strongly condemn the provocation carried out by the Azerbaijani authorities to block the road connecting Artsakh to Armenia, on spurious environmental grounds,” the statement reads. “These actions violate the rights, and endanger the lives, of Artsakh’s citizens, and they must be halted before a humanitarian disaster befalls the Armenians of Artsakh.”
His Holiness has reached out to the leaders of our sister churches and the worldwide ecumenical movement, asking them to condemn Azerbaijan’s actions and intercede with international authorities.
Under these circumstances, there are actions for us to undertake in our own country, as well. As Primate, I urge our faithful across the Eastern Diocese to call for decisive action from our elected representatives.
The Armenian Assembly of America has made it very easy to do so in its website. Clicking the link below will help you send messages supporting Artsakh, and condemning Azerbaijan’s latest cruelty, to your representatives in the U.S. government. Please take the time to add your voice to these efforts.
Thank you for your concern and activity. As always, I ask all of our clergy and faithful to join me in prayer to our merciful Lord Jesus Christ, to place his protection over his devoted children in holy Artsakh.
Prayerfully,
Fr. Mesrop Parsamyan
Primate
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Click here to contact your U.S. government representatives:
Armenian Assembly of America