We remember with special gratitude your consistent and principled voice in the issue of protecting the rights of the Armenians of Artsakh. Message from the President of the National Assembly of Artsak

Gagik Baghunts, Acting Chairman of the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh, sent a congratulatory message on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the birth of Karekin II.

“TO HIS HOLINESS GAREKIN II, ESSENTIAL PATRIARCH AND CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS

Your Holiness, on behalf of the deputies of the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh and the Armenians of Artsakh, I congratulate you with the deepest warmth of my heart on the occasion of your 75th anniversary.

Your patriarchal enthronement has been a spiritual support for the Armenian people in the most difficult years. When the course of national life was disrupted, when our people faced losses and perplexity, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin remained the immovable center around which the Armenians rediscovered their faith and their unity. This is the most obvious evidence of your pontifical merit.

We remember with special gratitude your consistent and principled voice in the protection of the rights of the Armenians of Artsakh. After the forced deportation, you have continuously raised the right of the Armenians of Artsakh to unconditionally return to their native cradle, the immediate release of our compatriots held captive in Baku, the preservation of the Armenian spiritual and cultural heritage of Artsakh - Amaras, Gandzasar, Dadivank and our many holy sites - from the highest Armenian and international church and state pulpits. You did not let the pain of our people remain unheard and did not agree to the presentation of historical injustice as an irreversible reality.

The displaced Armenians of Artsakh feel your prayers and paternal care, and this feeling is one of the sources of strength of our hope.

Your Holiness

We ask Almighty God for your good health, long and joyful years, and the power from above to continue your fruitful service to the glory of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church and the Armenian people. May the grace of the Lord be a guardian to you and the Motherland.”