ETCHMIADZIN. – A good-wish ceremony for peace in and prosperity of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR/Artsakh) was held Thursday at the Ghazanchetsots Cathedral of Christ the Holy Savior, in Shushi, Artsakh.

The event was presided over by Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, and held with the participation of the bishops that are members in the Supreme Spiritual Council—the highest executive body of the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin Information Services informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

NKR President Bako Sahakyan, National Assembly Chairman Ashot Ghoulyan, several other officials, members of the military, and Shushi residents also were on hand at the event.

At the end of the ceremony, the Catholicos of All Armenians extended his blessing and message to those in attendance.

“The recent events in [early] April, however [when Azerbaijan had unleashed a four-day war against Artsakh], came to confirm that we [i.e. Armenians] still have much work to do to strengthen the statehood of Artsakh, and ensure the security of the borders of our homeland,” Karekin II said, in particular.