On July 27, Armenian clergymen moved from the Trdatakamar (Arch of Trdat) towards the Open Altar of the Mother Cathedral to the sounds of the bells of the Mother Cathedral and under the direction of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.

The choir of the Mother Cathedral performed the Armenian national anthem and Director of the Christian Education Center of the Mother See, His Grace, Father Bishop Vardan Navasardyan gave his opening remarks.

His Holiness Vardan greeted the gathered at the spiritual center of all Armenians and mentioned that the day was symbolic in that the torches of the 6^th Pan-Armenian Games were brought from the Diaspora, Artsakh and Western Armenia in the year marking the 100^th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

Afterwards, host and sport commentator Slava Sargsyan touched upon the purpose of the event and the history of the Pan-Armenian Games. Then, he invited the athletes transferring the torches lit at the St. Ghazanchetsots Church of Shushi (Nagorno-Karabakh Republic), the St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the Holy Cross Armenian Church of Akhtamar.

The bearers of the torches of the 6th Pan-Armenian Games were champion of the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona and shooter Hrachya Petikyan, champion of the 1992 Olympics Israel Militosyan and champion of the 28^th World Universiad (Student) of 2015 and gymnast Artur Tovmasyan.

After the torches were brought, the host gave the floor to Chairman of the World Committee of the Pan-Armenian Games and Chairman of the Control Chamber of the Republic of Armenia Ishkhan Zakaryan, who stressed the importance of the Pan-Armenian Games and presented the slogan, which is “Unity through Sports”.

After the speech, Slava Sargsyan called bearer of the pan-Armenian torch, athlete, champion of the 1988 Olympics in Seul and weightlifter Ogsen Mirzoyan to the platform of the Open Altar. The three torchbearers brought their torches together, and Ogsen Mirzoyan lit the pan-Armenian torch.

The torch-lighting ceremony was followed by the start of the blessing of the pan-Armenian torch, which was held prior to the Lord’s Prayer said under the direction of the Catholicos of All Armenians.

In his patriarchal message addressed to the gathered, the Catholicos of All Armenians said the following: “We are pleased to see you all here at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and to see that you are participating in the Pan-Armenian Games. We express our satisfaction with the fact that the Pan-Armenian Games are bringing together more and more Armenians around the world together every year.

The fact that the torches brought from Antelias, Shushi and Akhtamar are being united at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and becoming one. Today, you are at the Holy Etchmiadzin, looking at Ararat, and we have no doubt that you feel the love for the Church and our homeland. We have no doubt that the Pan-Armenian Games will continue to strengthen the unity of our nation through which we will be able to solve our problems and overcome the challenges.

This solemn day of the opening of the Pan-Armenian Games is beginning with the transfer of light. Light is the symbol of purity and sanctity.”

Addressing the gathered, His Holiness added: “Dear athletes, you all have a great mission, and that is to be strong not only physically, but also spiritually and be the bearers of the light, justice and truth, as well as the defenders of love and solidarity. May the light in your souls always shine with Our Lord Jesus Christ! May this torch of the Pan-Armenian Games reinforce your unity! This celebration of sports serves as one of the best opportunities for youth to establish close ties and friendly relations.” 

His Holiness also expressed his appreciation and gave his blessing to the organizers of the 6^th Pan-Armenian Summer Games and all those who made these Games possible. His Holiness also gave his blessings to all the athletes, wishing the strength, as well as more victories and achievements in the future.

On this occasion, His Holiness also wished the 6^th Pan-Armenian Summer Games success, expressing confidence that everyone will win and that that victory will lie in the strengthening of the unity of the Armenian nation.

Among those attending the ceremony were Governor of Armavir Province Ashot Ghahramanyan, Mayor of Etchmiadzin Karen Grigoryan, teachers, athletes and cultural figures of the Republic of Armenia, the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and the Diaspora, as well as congregates of the Mother See and Armenian pilgrims.