PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address:  Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact:  Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel:  +374-10-517163
Fax:  +374-10-517301
E-Mail:  ktrij@etchmiadzin.am
Website: 
March 25, 2007

The Message of Condolence of
His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians,
on the death of Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Andranik Margarian

We mourn the sudden death of Prime Minister Andranik Margarian with deep
pain.  His death is a great loss for our native state and people, and the
grieving Margarian family.

The earthly life Andranik Margarian, devoted son of our people and patriotic
statesman and politician, ended too soon.  The Prime Minister of blessed
memory brought his important contribution with special diligence to the
strengthening of our statehood, the creation of a new life for the Armenians
and to the gratifying work of building the luminous tomorrow of our people.

Also worthy of gratitude are the labors and contributions of the late Prime
Minister to the work of reinforcing the relationship between Church and
state, making it more effective and productive.

On behalf of the Supreme Spiritual Council and the Brotherhood of the Mother
See of Holy Etchmiadzin, we are unified at this sad time in heartfelt
prayers with his grieving widow and children, the President of the Republic
of Armenia, senior officials of our state, his friends and associates, and
all our people.

We pray to Almighty God, asking that the soul of the departed be received in
the blessed and heavenly kingdom in lights and peace, and for the
consolation and comfort of His Holy Spirit to be granted to all grieving
hearts.

We offer incense, prayer and blessing to the luminous memory of Andranik
Margarian.

`O Lord, make the soul of the departed worthy and accept him in the life
eternal.  Amen.’

With sorrowful love and blessings,

KAREKIN II
SUPREME PATRIARCH
CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS