The Republican Party Pilgrimage to the White Cross St. Astvatsatsin Monastic Complex

Armen Ashotyan writes on his Facebook page:

“On the occasion of the Republic’s holiday, the third president of Armenia and the president of the Republican Party, Serzh Sargsyan, made a pilgrimage to the White Cross St. Astvatsatsin Monastic Complex with members of the Republican Party, including many young members. This complex is the resting place of the state, military, civic, and political figures, including the commander of Artsakh, Garegin Nzhdeh. His remains were secretly transferred from the cemetery in Vladikavkaz to Armenia in 1987 and interred in the yard of the White Cross St. Astvatsatsin Church, where a gravestone-cross was erected as a symbol of Nzhdeh’s everlasting memory.

The participants of the pilgrimage paid tribute to the great Armenian by laying wreaths and flowers at his gravestone-cross, lighting candles at the White Cross St. Astvatsatsin Church, and praying in solidarity as was done during the heroic battles of May 1918, demonstrating exceptional unity and organization, high levels of national consciousness, and historical responsibility for the last piece of our historical homeland, and for the souls of heroic sons who selflessly saved our people, as well as those who sacrificed their lives for the protection of the independent republic of Armenia and Artsakh.

The Republicans have based their pilgrimage on the idea of unity around national and state interests during this difficult geopolitical and domestic period for Armenia, Artsakh, and the Armenian people, subordinating all disagreements to these interests and sanctifying the achievements of the May and Artsakh heroic battles, strengthening them through daily joint efforts.”