YEREVAN. – Service dedicated to 20th anniversary of Armenia’s Independence was conducted in St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral on Wednesday by Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II.

The service was attended by Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, Karabakh President Bako Sahakyan, ministers, MPs and top officials.

Armenia’s Declaration of Independence was adopted at the session of the Supreme Council of Armenia on August 23, 1990. Under this document, the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic was renamed the Republic of Armenia.

Under the decree of Armenia’s Supreme Council, a referendum on secession from the USSR and establishment of independent statehood was held on September 21, 1990. A total of 94.99% of the citizens voted “yes” for independence. Two days later, the Supreme Council declared Armenia an independent and a sovereign state.