His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, sent a message on the occasion of Great Lent.
“With a feeling of deep spiritual devotion, we once again enter the period of Great Lent. Exploring our inner world, we will walk the sacred path of repentance and contrition toward the joyful and radiant feast of the Holy and Glorious Resurrection of our Savior. The sermon of our Lord Jesus Christ began with a call to repentance: ‘Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand’ (Matthew 4:17). It is in response to this Lord’s call that Great Lent, with its prayerful exhortation, strengthens and purifies the soul, fortifying the filial bond with the Heavenly Father. Fervent prayer should illuminate the process of abstinence, moderation should adorn the believer’s lifestyle, and a repentant soul should also show forgiveness to others, as the Lord tenderly exhorts: “Forgive, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your trespasses” (Mark 11:25).
Beloved, in these days, when our souls are troubled by the problems of national and patriotic life, as well as by the various attacks on our Holy Church, let us find peace in the Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have been reconciled with God. Let us live with full devotion to our nation and homeland, with unwavering zeal for our identity and sacred values, and with the determination to remain faithful to our Mother Church.
Let us pray together that this sacramental period of Lent will be a wonderful occasion for universal repentance and contrition for all of us, so that by acknowledging and correcting our mistakes and shortcomings, we may together overcome all difficulties and adversities. “May Almighty God establish peace in the world, in our homeland, and in our hearts, and preserve and strengthen our nation, our state, and our Holy Church in prosperity and edification. To all,” His Holiness’s message reads.