Gagik Baghunts in a congratulatory message to Garegin II: The people  of Artsakh remember with special gratitude your principled voice in  protecting the rights of Artsakh Armenians

ArmInfo.When the course of national life was disrupted and the Armenian people faced losses and hardships, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin remained an  unwavering center around which Armenians regained their faith and unity. This was stated in the congratulatory message  by the Acting Chairman of the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh, Gagik Baghunts, to His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, on the occasion of his 75th birthday. 

"On behalf of the deputies of the National Assembly of the Republic  of Artsakh and the people of Artsakh, I extend my heartfelt  congratulations to You on your 75th birthday. Your ascension to the  patriarchal throne served as a vital spiritual pillar for the  Armenian people during our most challenging years," Baghunts noted. 

"When the course of our national life was fractured and our people  confronted unprecedented loss and hardship, the Mother See of Holy  Etchmiadzin stood as an unshakeable center around which Armenians  rediscovered their faith and unity. This is the clearest testament to  Your supreme pontifical service.

"We recall with profound gratitude Your consistent and principled  voice in defending the rights of the Armenians of Artsakh," Baghunts  continued. 

"Even after the forced displacement, from the highest international  religious and state platforms, You have continuously raised the  issues of the unreserved right of the people of Artsakh to return to  their homeland, the immediate release of our compatriots detained in  Baku, and the preservation of Artsakh's spiritual and cultural  heritage including Amaras, Gandzasar, Dadivank, and our many other  sacred sites. You have never ignored our people's grief, nor have You  accepted historical injustice as an irreversible reality.  Displaced  Artsakh Armenians feel Your prayers and paternal care, and this  enduring support remains a vital source of our hope.

We pray to Almighty God to grant You robust health, long and joyful  years, and divine strength to continue Your fruitful service for the  glory of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church and the Armenian nation.  May the grace of the Lord protect You and our Homeland," the Acting  Chairman of the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh  concluded.