On May 27, at the initiative and with the blessing of Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Romania, His Grace, Bishop Tatev Hakobyan, events dedicated to the 100^th anniversary of the May Heroic Battles and the First Republic of Armenia, the liberation of Shushi and the Artsakh war, as well as the 100^th anniversary of the unification of Romania were held in Bucharest.

As reported the press divan of the Armenian Diocese of Romania to Hayern Aysor, at 10:30, a festive Holy Mass was served by Primate of the Diocese, Bishop Tatev Hakobyan and held with the participation of pastor of the St. Mary’s Church of Constanta, Priest Oshakan Khachatryan at the Holy Archangels Mother Cathedral. Among the attendees were RA Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Romania Sergey Minasyan, the Consul of the Republic of Armenia, President of the Union of Armenians of Romania Varujan Vosganian, members of diocesan and parochial councils, as well as believers and guests.

During the sermon, His Holiness talked about the symbol of the day once again and particularly stated the following: “Throughout history, we Armenians have often been deprived of statehood and the country has often been stomped over, but our hope and faith have remained strong and unbreakable, and it is with that hope and faith that we have created, suffered, believed in God and lived with God. We have lived as the Armenian Church and the Armenian State with the one and congregate Lord, crossed several times, but always with the resurrected Lord. God is with us because, in spite of the trials and tribulations that we have undergone, the deaths that we have seen and the losses that we have suffered throughout millennia, Armenians live as a nation and State and as a Church. Thanks to the heroic battles of May, Eastern Armenia was saved from elimination. The heroic spirit of the Armenians, their endeavor and victory against the Turkish army prove that the Armenian people are persistent to live and preserve their centuries-old values. This milestone of love, consolidation and the heroic struggle laid the foundation for the First Republic of Armenia. Every year, this day is a day of renewal of sacrament for the generations to keep the cherished memory of the fathers alive and stay true to their faith, heroic spirit and their dream of seeing Armenians united as one and the country saved. Today, we are aware that Armenia’s independence is the precious and sacred heritage of the nation. There is no era of lack of independence in the history of the Armenian people when the Armenians haven’t aspired to rediscover the freedom of Armenia. With this truth, let us stay true to our duty to the homeland so that our children inherit a free, strong and prosperous homeland.”

The Holy Mass was followed by a Prayer of Thanks and a prayer dedicated to the 100^th anniversary of the First Republic of Armenia, as well as a Requiem Service in memory of the Armenian heroes who sacrificed their lives during the Artsakh war, the heroic battles of May and WWI. On this occasion, three wreaths were laid in front of the statue of Armenian national hero Andranik Ozanyan in the garden of the church. Among the speakers were RA Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Romania Sergey Minasyan and President of the Union of Armenians of Romania Varujan Vosganian.

After the ceremonies, the attendees were invited to the beautiful garden of the Armenian Prelacy where a banquet was held at the initiative of the Armenian Diocese of Romania and with the support of the parochial council of Bucharest and the Union of Armenians of Romania. Armine Khachatryan performed patriotic songs devoted to Armenia, while Vartavar Armenian Dance Ensemble performed Armenian folk dances.

All the attendees received booklets devoted to the three celebrations of the Armenians in May and prepared by the Armenian Diocese of Romania.