Mother See Appeals to National Assembly to Preserve Non-Working Days on January 5 and 7

The Assembly of Armenian Bishops and Diocesan Leaders has issued a statement.

“Under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, a gathering of Armenian bishops and diocesan leaders was held at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. During the meeting, various spiritual-national, ecclesiastical, pastoral, and internal organizational issues were discussed.

Particular attention was given to the spiritual-care activities carried out by the Armenian Church aimed at overcoming the consequences of the 44-day war, the return of prisoners of war, the identification of missing persons, and issues related to the identification and burial of the remains of the deceased.

The meeting also addressed the proposed amendments regarding New Year’s and Christmas holidays in the law on ‘Holidays and Commemorative Days of the Republic of Armenia’ initiated by the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia. In this regard, the assembly noted:

“We emphasize the proper representation of national, spiritual, and state holidays and commemorative days in the state calendar, as our spiritual and cultural values, national identity, and aspirations are also expressed in the essence of these holidays and commemorative days. It is noteworthy that in many countries, including Austria, France, Germany, Romania, Poland, Lithuania, and neighboring Georgia, a significant majority (60-80%) of non-working public holidays are ecclesiastical celebrations. Meanwhile, in Armenia, where Christianity was embraced as the state religion first, only 19% are ecclesiastical.

Therefore, we appeal to the factions of the National Assembly to preserve non-working days on January 5 for the Feast of the Epiphany and January 7 as a Day of Remembrance for the Dead, especially as the pain of the victims of the Artsakh war still torments the hearts of our people. We are hopeful that the National Assembly will consider this proposal from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, in response to the devout feelings of our people and their spiritual need for prayer and consolation,” the statement reads.