DeFacto Agency, Armenia
May 2 2008

PILGRIMAGE TO ARTSAKH

YEREVAN, 02.05.08. DE FACTO. An All-Armenian action under the slogan
`’Forward Armenia, Forward to God” started in Holy Echmiadzin on May
1. A pilgrimage to the Nagorno-Karabakh processed within the frames of
the above-mentioned action. In part, 500 pilgrims visited the town of
Shoushi on the initiative of the International All-Armenian Youth
Center and Spiritual-Cultural Revival Foundation.
The pilgrims were welcomed with bread and salt on the Artsakh
land. Archbishop Pargev Martirosian, spiritual leader of the Artsakh
Eparchy of the Armenian Apostolic Church, welcomed and blessed them in
Surb Khazanchetsots Church in Shoushi. The Archbishop noted Shoushi
was a place of pilgrimage for all Armenians. `’One nation, one
culture, one faith ` that is the slogan under which we have liberated
Shoushi, and we must continue our national struggle in such mood and
under this slogan”, the Archbishop underscored. The leader of the
Artsakh Eparchy of the Armenian Apostolic Church noted much depended
on the nation’s unity. `’In nineties we proved that when we united we
could overcome unbelievable problems”, he said. Archbishop wished the
pilgrims well and blessing to complete their pilgrimage to the
Nagorno-Karabakh.
A lot of young participants of the actions remarked that for each of
them `’it is a pilgrimage to ourselves, an opportunity to look in our
soul”. The Artsakh war’s veterans also participated in the
measure. `’I missed Artsakh, that’s why I am here. I have come to
breathe this air again, to visit again this land, which we liberated
from captivity. I can’t say anything more”, a participant of the
Artsakh war Norajr Lazarian said being in agitation.
Then the pilgrims headed for V. Sargsian Square, where they put
flowers at the monument to the National Hero.
To note, according to the schedule, the action’s participants are to
meet with the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic President Bako Sahakian in
Stepanakert on May 2. On the same day the guests will visit the
Stepanakert Memorial Complex, after which they will return to Yerevan.