Dear Friends,

Today marks the 17th anniversary of the declaration of independence for the Republic of Armenia. We are in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Yerevan, Holy Etchmiadzin and in Armenian communities throughout the world in celebrating this happy event.

Those with even a cursory knowledge of Armenian history realize that as a people we have had a most turbulent past, which has included isolated periods of independent rule but more generally we have been under foreign domination. Our history records periods of renaissance in literature, the arts, learning; fortune in trade and the marketplace, but other extremely dark times marked by persecution, massacre and even genocide.

Throughout this all, the Armenian Church continues to serve as the beacon of faith, hope and love and spiritual mother of the Armenian faithful everywhere. Too often we under-appreciate the immense spiritual wealth of the Armenian Apostolic Church, which by the way is the object of marvel by many non-Armenian church scholars, who observe that our Church has steadfastly maintained the purity and simplicity of the apostolic Christian faith.

Despite the many challenges and persecutions that have come our way over the centuries, God continues to bless our church and nation. We have been like gold tested by fire. Indeed September 21, 1991 was a miracle. Who would have imaged that after 70 years of atheistic communism and a catastrophic earthquake that Armenia would be free once again to openly worship and teach the Christian faith? In addition, since independence an unprecedented number of churches have been renovated and built. Also a record numbers of clergy have been ordained to serve the spiritual needs of our people.

Thus today as we celebrate the 17th anniversary of the free and independent Armenia, I ask you to say a special prayer for the Republic of Armenia, for her political and religious leadership and for all her citizens. By the way there is great excitement in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin these days as the Catholicos of All Armenians and Brotherhood prepare for the grace-bestowing event of the Blessing of Holy Muron to take place in just seven days.

May our heavenly Father bless the Holy Apostolic Church and the Republic of Armenia.source - www.armenianchurch.net

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With prayers.
Hayr Simeon
September 21, 2008