ETCHMIADZIN. – The Catholicos of All Armenians, Karekin II, on Friday issued a congratulatory message on the occasion of the First Republic Day of Armenia.

“Following the difficult days of the Great Calamity [i.e. the Armenian Genocide], our brave people waged a life and death struggle in a part of our homeland, and at costly sacrifices, the triumphant heroic battles of May were crowned with the establishment of the [First] Republic of Armenia.  

“With the message of May 28, today let us renew our covenant of loyalty toward the Motherland, surmount—with the noble deeds of our hands, love and care towards each other—all difficulties, and, led by the Lord, enrich our independent Republic,” the Catholicos’ address specifically reads, reported the Information Services of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.