Artsakh must not be sepulchred in the dust of history - Aram I

ArmInfo. Restoration of Artsakh's independence is an integral part of the sacred cause of the Armenian people. Artsakh should not be buried under the dust of history.  This is stated in the statement of the Catholicos of the  Great House of Cilicia Aram I on the occasion of the 34th anniversary  of the NKR independence.

"Today, the entire Armenian nation celebrates a historic event with  renewed faith and hope - the proclamation of the independence of the  Republic of Artsakh. Indeed, who does not remember the courage of our  heroes, the faith and will of the people of Artsakh to live freely  and independently, tempered by the blood of our martyrs about 35  years ago in the name of the independence of the people of Artsakh?  Who does not remember the long-term collective struggle to strengthen  the independent statehood of Artsakh with the active participation of  all Armenians? Finally, who does not remember the great achievements  of the trinity of Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora, striving for a single and  only sacred goal - strengthening the independence of Artsakh?

Today, in fact, we have lost the independence of Artsakh. Artsakh has  been depopulated. Our churches and monasteries, as well as cultural  and historical monuments, which are the creation of its creative  spirit, cultural genius and religious experience, have become victims  of the barbaric actions of the enemy," Aram noted. I.

In other words, continued the Catholicos of the Great House of  Cilicia, Artsakh was subjected to a planned and consistently  implemented genocide. This is how, according to the norms of  international law, the seizure of Artsakh and the forced deportation  of the Armenians of Artsakh can be characterized.

"Yes, today we have lost Artsakh. However, we have not lost hope for  the restoration of Artsakh with its territory, people and right to  sovereignty, and we will not lose it, no matter how unfavorable the  conditions around us may be. History is not something frozen once and  for all. It is subject to constant change. If today the geopolitical  conditions do not contribute to the restoration of Artsakh's  independence, tomorrow they may change dramatically. We must be  vigilant and consistent. The Bible says that hope never disappoints  (Rom. 5:5). We must cling to hope and feed it with the faith of our  people and the unwavering will to fight for our rights.

The restoration of Artsakh's independence is an integral part of the  sacred cause of our people. Artsakh must not be buried under the dust  of history. The faith and aspiration of the Armenians of Artsakh to  live freely must become a daily, purposeful struggle," His Holiness  added.

"Today, celebrating Artsakh Independence Day, let us remember all our  martyrs, known and unknown, who shed their blood for the proclamation  and preservation of Artsakh's independence.

Let us remember all our prisoners who suffer daily in Baku prisons,  who selflessly served our people of Artsakh.

Let us remember our sisters and brothers from Artsakh, who were  forcibly expelled from their centuries-old lands, and resolutely  advocate for the restoration of their legitimate rights.

To remember means not to forget. To remember means to fight for all  those sacred values and ideals, for the embodiment of which our  beloved sons of Artsakh lived, fought and accepted a martyr's death.  May the Lord keep our people of Artsakh under His heavenly  protection. May the Lord protect and preserve our native people and  the Republic of Armenia," concluded Aram I.