They Want to Erase Us as a Species and Occupy Our Homeland: Father Nerses

They want to erase us as a species and occupy our homeland. This was stated by Father Nerses Asryan, the spiritual leader of Shoshkavan and surrounding villages, during his speech at the indefinite popular movement that started in the Renaissance Square of Artsakh.

“From time to time, we have lost parts of our huge homeland—sacred parts of our homeland. We have lost some through a heavy struggle, but sometimes we have also conceded, hoping that they would leave us alone and that we would finally have peace. And then we have named shops and streets with the names of our lost historical homelands as a form of self-soothing. This is self-deception, because today they are trying to subject Artsakh to that fate as well.

Nothing can replace our homeland, just as tomorrow nothing can replace Syunik, Tavush, Yerevan, and finally Armenia. Today we must finally understand that for our enemy, our political preferences, party affiliation, and religious views hold no significance. They want to erase us as a species and occupy our homeland.

The Holy Scripture says everything has its time. Today is the time to finally understand this reality. And it is time for us to unite around this reality if no other thing, ideology, or value can unite us. It is time that we finally start listening to each other, understanding, forgiving, and focusing on our similarities rather than our differences. It is finally time for us to grasp God's outstretched hand of mercy. It is God's mercy that sustains us,” said Father Nerses, adding that there are no hopeless situations when a nation is united, placing its hope solely in itself and God.

It should be noted that today a popular movement has started in Artsakh.