“On this sacred height of Tatev, our pilgrimage became a moment of prayer, spiritual renewal, and strengthening upon our native land. The planted plane tree, with its roots going deep into the earth and its branches rising toward the heavens, reminds us that we too must stand firmly on our land and keep the gaze of our soul lifted to God. The essence of pilgrimage is to serve the bright future of our people through faith, prayer, and good deeds.”

“This pilgrimage is very important for us, because it was not just a journey to a sacred place, but also an opportunity for unity and spiritual renewal. The tree planting became a living symbol of that journey; it gave us new breath, new inspiration, and the confidence that even after hardships we must continue to create, take root, and believe in the future. Such initiatives remind us that our strength lies in unity, faith, and in not losing hope.”

“May the prayer that we all offered in our holy monastery, carried on the wings of an angel, reach our captives and fill their hearts—with faith and strength. For very soon our sons will return to the embrace of the Motherland, and together we will offer a prayer of gratitude in that same monastery.”

“It is a great sorrow for us that Ruben Vardanyan and our Artsakh leaders — those who, at the cost of their own lives, tried to support and strengthen our people — are today imprisoned in Baku.

This pilgrimage, this joint prayer, were very symbolic and deeply moving, and the sincere wish of all of us is that Ruben and all the others will be freed from Baku’s prisons as soon as possible and reunite with us in our homeland”

“As part of the pilgrimage, we presented the exhibition The Golden Chain of Patrons: Guardians of Tatev Through the Centuries, which tells the complex and trial-filled story of Tatev Monastery and honors its guardians—from the Princes of Syunik to today’s benefactors. Through 12 research-based panels, the exhibition traces a millennium-long tradition of Armenian philanthropy, showing how—since the 9th century—the Princes of Syunik, the Orbelian dynasty, scholar-vardapets, devoted bishops and abbots, melik households, progressive industrialists, and modern benefactors have preserved, rebuilt, and revitalized the Tatev monastic complex. By discovering how our ancestors overcame the trials of time, we too learn to face contemporary challenges”.

“Our pilgrimage today is a journey during which we remember and pray for all our compatriots who remain in captivity, in prisons in Baku.

First and foremost, I want to mention Ruben Vardanyan, because his name is inseparable from the history of Tatev. Years ago, Ruben initiated a major project that redefined not only Tatev’s architectural revival, but also its spiritual and public renewal. In essence, it is a continuation of the tradition of philanthropy—one with centuries of history.”

“When we were displaced from Stepanakert, I didn’t yet know that I was carrying a little heart under my breast—God’s blessing. Overcoming difficulties, we reached Goris. A few days later, we learned that God had blessed us. Although life has taken so much from me, it felt as if God had blessed me anew, and in June I became a mother. True, every day has been sunny since our displacement from Stepanakert, but today the sun is smiling at us differently,