On September 21, 1991, the people of Soviet Armenia flooded the voting polls and exercised the right guaranteed in the Soviet constitution to conduct a referendum to secede from the Soviet Union and declare independence. Over 99 percent of voters approved the republic’s commitment to independence. Thus the third Republic of Armenia was born.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Armenia. Armenians of the Diaspora will join their compatriots in the Motherland in celebrating this magnificent achievement. Armenia became a member of the United Nations on March 2, 1992.
On the occasion of the 20th anniversary, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, issued a directive instructing parishes of the Western Diocese to conduct the “Order of Thanksgiving Prayer of the Republic of Armenia” on Sunday, September 25.
The following is the Message of Diocesan Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian on the occasion of Armenia’s 20th Anniversary of Independence.
“Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the money for the tax.” And they brought him a coin. And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” When they heard it, they marveled; and they left him and went away. (Matthew 22:17-22).
With these words, Christ, our Lord, delivers a clear message of selfless and dedicated service to one’s country. On September 21, 2011, our Homeland will celebrate the 20th anniversary of Independence of the Third Republic of Armenia. Armenia was able to withstand the trying times of the Soviet Era which spanned for over seven decades. The youth of our Republic has captured the beauty and essence of freedom and with the sense of “belonging to Armenia,” they firmly believe in the promising future of our beloved country.
“Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” Dedicated service to the blessed the land of our forefathers has a divine meaning. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, dictates to the disciples of the Pharisees the meaning of obedience, loyalty, humility of citizens to their respective nations.
Twenty years of independence is relatively a short period of time for a young nation to be compared to European countries. The past century for Armenia has been nothing but “Golgotha”.
Armenia is a wondrous country. Our land was sanctified with St. Gregory’s vision of Christ striking with the golden hammer on the soil where the first Armenian Church would be built. The golden bridge between heaven and earth was established with Holy Etchmiadzin.
The 20th anniversary of Armenia’s Independence is an invitation for us all to live a life of a true patriot, to lead pilgrimages to the blessed land of our ancestors and through our deeds, envision a prosperous Armenia.
We wholeheartedly congratulate the 20th anniversary of the Republic of Armenia. We are delighted to welcome His Excellency Serzh Sargsyan, President of Armenia to the Western Diocese and St. Leon Armenian Cathedral. We extend our blessings and heartfelt wishes to our fellow compatriots and the young men serving in the armed forces of the Republic of Armenia.
In our prayers, we beseech the All Merciful God, to protect the Republic of Armenia as a sovereign state, and bring prosperity to the lives of our compatriots in our Homeland.
Archbishop Hovnan Derderian
Primate
Yorumlar kapatıldı.