-1.91c
Երեվան
հնգ, դկտ 25
Beloved faithful,
In these difficult days of spiritual trial for our Armenian people, I call upon each of us to enter more deeply into prayer. Let prayer become the mirror of our inner life, where, with the courage born of faith, we may be renewed and willingly guided by God.
From the hearts of our faithful rises a cry for purity. Our sacred liturgy itself summons us to prayer and to open, humble confession.
Standing before God, we must say:
We have sinned against You, Almighty God. Instead of delighting in the sweetness of Your commandments, we have strayed into lawlessness.
Standing before you, our faithful people, we must confess:
We have sinned against you, for we have grown weak in our service. Amid the depths of your suffering, we have not always brought healing through the life-giving Word of God.
And before the Holy and everlasting Church of Christ:
We have sinned, for we have not always been worthy of the purity of your sanctuaries and the sacred heritage entrusted to us through the centuries.
Sincere self-examination—through confession and repentance—is the first step toward healing and renewal, both spiritual and national. Truth must guide us, for truth is more precious than the comfort of being right. As Aristotle said, "Plato is my friend, but truth is a greater friend."
Our Lord Himself proclaims, “The truth will set you free” (John 8:32). This truth calls us to harmony, not division. Church and state are not meant to stand in opposition, but to serve side by side, supporting one another in safeguarding the freedom, dignity, and sovereignty of our people.
This is our conviction and our commitment as a spiritual servant. The urgency of our times demands vigilance, repentance, and renewal, and it compels us to remain faithful to our sacred mission with our whole being.
Therefore, we sincerely exhort you, our beloved faithful people, to remain steadfast and unshaken in your faith in Jesus Christ, who is “the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).
To Him be glory, now and forever. Amen.
Archbishop Hovnan Derderian
Primate
Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America
From the hearts of our faithful rises a cry for purity. Our sacred liturgy itself summons us to prayer and to open, humble confession.
Standing before God, we must say:
We have sinned against You, Almighty God. Instead of delighting in the sweetness of Your commandments, we have strayed into lawlessness.
Standing before you, our faithful people, we must confess:
We have sinned against you, for we have grown weak in our service. Amid the depths of your suffering, we have not always brought healing through the life-giving Word of God.
And before the Holy and everlasting Church of Christ:
We have sinned, for we have not always been worthy of the purity of your sanctuaries and the sacred heritage entrusted to us through the centuries.
Sincere self-examination—through confession and repentance—is the first step toward healing and renewal, both spiritual and national. Truth must guide us, for truth is more precious than the comfort of being right. As Aristotle said, "Plato is my friend, but truth is a greater friend."
Our Lord Himself proclaims, “The truth will set you free” (John 8:32). This truth calls us to harmony, not division. Church and state are not meant to stand in opposition, but to serve side by side, supporting one another in safeguarding the freedom, dignity, and sovereignty of our people.
This is our conviction and our commitment as a spiritual servant. The urgency of our times demands vigilance, repentance, and renewal, and it compels us to remain faithful to our sacred mission with our whole being.
Therefore, we sincerely exhort you, our beloved faithful people, to remain steadfast and unshaken in your faith in Jesus Christ, who is “the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).
To Him be glory, now and forever. Amen.
Archbishop Hovnan Derderian
Primate
Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America
