"Eighty years have passed since that fateful and historic day–when the Armenian nation–with its most united effort and through major sacrifice–consummated a free homeland and independent state," read a Prelacy Religious Council Divan statement released on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the independence of Armenia.
The statement reported that under the auspices of Bishop Moushegh Mardirossian–Western Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America–and as a result of a Religious Council decision–on Sunday–May 31–all Western Prelacy churches will offer reading of special prayers–and–to mark the 80th anniversary of Armenian independence–will follow holy liturgy by a State Wish and Blessing of the Tricolor Armenian Flag.
Holy requiem services to honor the memory of those martyred in the battles of Sardarabad–Bash-Abaran and Gharakilise will also be offered following Sunday sermon–the statement said.
"Together–let us remember and honor the memory of all those heroes who fell while defending our homeland," the Religious Council suggested–"let us fill our churches to inform God of our pride in our May victories which manifest themselves in the prosperity and fortification of Armenia and Karabakh."