ECHMIADZIN — On Sunday, August 9, Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II led a solemn hokehankisd service, to pray for the repose of victims of the August 4 explosion in Beirut.
The requiem service followed the Divine Liturgy celebrated before the outdoor altar of Holy Echmiadzin’s King Drtad pavilion, where the catholicos delivered a eulogy for the fallen.
“We ask the Lord to grant peace to the victims, among them our own Armenian countrymen; to comfort the hearts of their loved ones and all who grieve; and to bring a rapid recovery to the thousands of injured,” Catholicos Karekin II said.
After gratefully describing Lebanon as a country that has been welcoming to Armenians, especially after the Genocide, and affirming that Armenians have a profound stake in the well being of Lebanese society, he said that in the wake of its recent disasters, “Lebanon needs the support of the world’s nations today.”
“Every Armenian heart reaches out to Lebanon today, in this time of trial. We convey our sympathy to the Lebanon’s President, its State Council, and all of its people. We grieve along with our spiritual brother Catholicos Aram I of Cilicia, with our Armenian community in the country, and especially with the Armenian families who have suffered the loss of loved ones in this tragedy.”
He also observed that “The gentle Lebanese people have overcome many trials in their history, and we have faith that with perseverance and solidarity they will overcome the difficulties of this age. In the meantime, we invite our patriotic children across the world to support the Lebanese-Armenian community through this painful period, and more generally to help that land renew itself after the heartbreaking destruction caused by the explosion.”
