ECHMIADZIN — On April 4, under the leadership of Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, a joint Prayer Service for the Homeland and her defenders was offered at the St. Gregory the Illuminator Mother Cathedral of Yerevan.
The service were attended by Serge Sargisian, President of the Republic of Armenia; Primates of the Armenian Church, Bishops from the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin, members of the Brotherhood of Holy Echmiadzin, as well as thousands of Armenian faithful.
At the entrance of the Cathedral, during the singing of the hymn Hrashapar, the ecclesiastical procession, which also included members of the military, led the Armenian Pontiff to the Holy Altar of the cathedral. During the procession, the faithful burst into applause for the homeland defenders who were in the procession.
A Blessing of the Republic Prayer was offered for the strength and peace of the Republic of Nagorno- Karabagh and the Republic of Armenia. During the Service the catholicos prayed for mercy and to “keep the Republic of Armenia and Artsakh in peace, strength and prosperity.”
The members of the clergy also prayed for the repose of the souls of the victims who were killed during the battles.
