“We welcome unrelenting efforts by officials to preserve Lebanon’s unity, and we reaffirm our faith in the role of the Lebanese Army in defending the nation, despite the enormous and painful sacrifices,” Keshishian told worshippers attending mass on Armenian Christmas.
“We also welcome the wise policy of Lebanese politicians in keeping Lebanon at a distance from regional upheavals,” Keshishian said, underscoring, however, the urgent and primary necessity of electing a president.
“Regardless of the obstacles and difficulties, it is just not permissible not to have a president in Lebanon,” Keshishian added.
The prelate also deplored the colossal dangers facing Christians, including Armenians, in the Middle East, especially in Iraq and Syria.
“Despite the huge difficulties and atrocities confronting them, Christians are determined to stay in this Orient, and to remain faithful to their duties and attached to their rights,” Keshishian said in reference to the persecution of Christians at the hands of jihadi militants from ISIS in Iraq and Syria.
The persecution has been on-going since the time of Jesus. The real problem stems from the broken and fragmented structure of the Christian world. There is no bond or unity within Christian nations. Power and greed dominate the thoughts of the ruling elite, while racial and other prejudices have precedence over the thoughts of the masses in these so-called Christian nations.
Take Mother Russia for example, for her Armenia is just a little pawn in their geopolitical ambitions. Being Christian is of no importance. Same with the way they treat Georgia. What matters most for her is total hegemony in pursuit of self interest. Same goes for the West and their policies towards nations with Christian majorities. Smaller nation cling on the notion of Christian brotherhood out of desperation, but for more larger and powerful nations it is only used as an excuse to subjugate their little “brother’.