Tribute paid to memory of Oshakan battle heroes in Armenia

ArmInfo.  A solemn ceremony dedicated to the 198th anniversary of the battle was held at the "Heroes of Oshakan" memorial near the Mother See of Etchmiadzin.

As reported by the press service of the Russian House in Yerevan, on  August 17, 1827, Russian soldiers and Armenian volunteers under the  command of General Krasovsky defeated the superior forces of the  Persian army and thereby defended the spiritual center of Armenia -  Holy Etchmiadzin.

"By tradition, in mid-August we come to this monument to honor the  memory of Russian soldiers and Armenian militiamen who, fighting side  by side with a superior enemy, did not allow the enemy to reach the  holy site of the Mother See of Etchmiadzin. In these difficult times,  this is a history lesson: brotherly nations united by a common goal  are capable of overcoming any trials. The immortality of the feat  depends on us and future generations. Russia values the centuries-old  friendship with Armenia, we value the common cultural heritage and  spiritual values," said Charge d'Affaires of Russia in Armenia Maxim  Seleznev in his welcoming speech to those gathered.

Head of the Rossotrudnichestvo Representative Office in Armenia Vadim  Fefilov emphasized the importance of preserving the memory of the  feat. "In the battle of Oshakan, Russian soldiers and Armenian  militias stood shoulder to shoulder against the superior forces of  the Iranian Shah. General Krasovsky, who lost two horses and was  wounded in battle, continued to fight with the soldiers and defended  the Holy See of Echmiadzin. This date is important for both the  Armenian and Russian people. Every year we gather at the memorial,  and the number of people is growing. Armenian culture is  traditionally based on three foundations - the cross, the book and  the sword, and this is close to the Russian people, for whom  Orthodoxy has always been the foundation. Right now, more than ever,  it is important to remember these roots," he emphasized.

On behalf of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports  of Armenia, the representative of the department Svetlana Sahakyan  delivered a welcoming speech. The clergy of the Russian Orthodox and  Armenian Apostolic Churches held a memorial litia at the memorial.  The ceremony was attended by the Charge d'Affaires of Belarus,  representatives of the Border Department of the Russian FSB in  Armenia, the 102nd Russian military base, the Erebuni airbase, local  authorities and public organizations.