In his patriarchal message on the occasion of Great Lent, Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II urged believers to live with full dedication to the nation and the homeland, with unwavering zeal for their identity and sacred values, and with steadfast loyalty to the Mother Church.
“Beloved, in our days, when our souls are troubled by concerns over national and homeland issues and by various attacks against our Holy Church, let us find peace in our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we were reconciled with God,” he said.
The Catholicos noted that with sacred feelings of the soul, the faithful once again enter the period of Great Lent.
“Through self-examination and by walking the sanctifying path of repentance and penance, we will proceed toward the joyful and radiant feast of the Holy and Glorious Resurrection of our Savior. The preaching of our Lord Jesus Christ began with a call to repentance: ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near’ (Matthew 4:17).
…It is by responding to this divine invitation that fasting, in its prayerful mystery, strengthens and purifies the soul and reinforces the filial bond with the Heavenly Father. Fervent prayer must illuminate the course of fasting; moderation should adorn the daily life of the faithful; and the repentant soul must show forgiveness toward others, as the Lord gently exhorts: ‘Forgive, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your trespasses’ (Mark 11:25).”
“Let us pray together that this sacred period of fasting may become a beautiful opportunity for universal repentance and renewal, so that by recognizing and correcting our faults and shortcomings, we may together overcome all trials and difficulties. May Almighty God establish peace in the world, in our homeland and in our hearts, and preserve our nation, our state and our Holy Church in prosperity and strength. Amen,” the Catholicos said in his message.
