Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Tehran, Archbishop Sepuh Sarkisian was recently in Artsakh and shared his impressions in an interview with Hayern Aysor.

“Hearing the word “Artsakh” is already an honor and an inspiration, and a visit to that land awakens different feelings and emotions in people. Going to Nagorno-Karabakh after the four-day war and communicating with the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh, especially the brave soldiers of the Defense Army protecting our borders was the greatest joy in my life. I also took pride in shaking the hands of our soldiers and commanders, kissed their foreheads and prayed for their weapons to serve their goal. After saying these words, I said we Armenians are not evil, don’t want to kill anyone or take anyone’s life, but we will not let anyone deprive us of our right and our homeland.

I returned from Artsakh with great impressions. I went with mixed emotions, but returned with more strength after seeing our soldiers and talking to them. They told me the following: “If the enemy dares to attack us again, we will only listen to God and will continue our march until we see where the road will take us.”

It was truly a great joy and a great honor for me to visit Artsakh, and I thank God for providing me with that opportunity. I had the chance to see the spirit of the people of Artsakh. Their land inspires them and conveys them the strength that Armenian King Arshak II had when he became as strong as a lion on Armenian land in Tizbon and became a weak person on Persian land.

On their land, the Armenians of Artsakh are stronger and more powerful than anyone, especially when they saw that they are not alone. Yes, today, there are 150-60,000 people living in Artsakh, but they have the support of 10 million Armenians. This gives them great strength.

I wish we celebrate our next victory in Getashen, Shahumyan and Artsvashen.”