Deviation from the path indicated by Christ turns the world into a stage of injustice, misery and misfortune, immersion in the darkness of delusions, leads to the mutilation of personal and public life, the distortion and destruction of values, the manifestations of which we also see in our reality. Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, stated this in his sermon during the Armenian Christmas Divine Liturgy in the Mother Cathedral of Etchmiadzin.

“Today, faith and trust in each other are weakening in our lives. Disrespectful and unrestrained behavior is perceived as courage. Freedom of speech is countered by intolerance of dissent, debate turns into insults and defamation, and the public good is subordinated to petty personal and group interests.

Our [Armenian Apostolic] Holy Church continues to be subjected to repression. This situation is a serious blow to the reputation of our [Armenian] nation and state and a deep wound to the [Armenian] communities and believers. Despite illegal and unruly actions, our Holy Church, with its pious people, is strong and unshakable, faithful to its divine-graced calling and mission. The Armenian [Apostolic] Church is holy and sacred, founded by the preaching of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, Saint Thaddeus and Saint Bartholomew, as the purgatory of people, the dwelling place of angels, and the house of God.

Our [Armenian] Apostolic Church has been subjected to many attacks throughout history, has gone through terrible suffering, but has never become a captive of despair, for it has understood that true freedom and salvation lies in obedience to Christ, in trusting in him,” added the Catholicos of All Armenians.