Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, leader of the Sacred Struggle movement, and Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan, Chancellor of the Mother See, issued a joint message from the Yerevan-Kentron penitentiary, calling 2025 a year of persecution.

“We have entered 2026 with our eyes filled with light, our hearts with hope, our lives with faith, and our souls with love, as we mark the great mystery of the Nativity and Theophany,” the message reads. “To our beloved people, we send our love, strength, energy, the will to rebuild, and our wishes for the realization of victory. We pray that through the miracle of Christ’s birth, the vision of a renewed and spiritual Armenia is fulfilled in victorious 2026,” they wrote, as reported by Sputnik Armenia.

They wished for evil in all its forms to vanish from the lives of Armenians, replaced by truth, justice, freedom, loyalty, courage, and love.

“The entire year of 2025 was a period of persecution and trials. While its full evaluation is yet to come from history and future generations, for us, it became a moment of deeper commitment, strength, and determination in the truest sense of life. It is sanctified by the Lord’s message: ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven… Rejoice and be glad’ (Matthew 5:11–12). And those who place their hope in the Lord ‘shall inherit the land and possess My holy mountain’ (Isaiah 57:19),” they stated.

The archbishops called for 2026 to become a year of unity—centered on one goal, one vision, one struggle—for the triumph of justice, truth, and national dignity.

They also cited several Bible verses, including: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13) and “So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light” (Romans 13:12). They emphasized that they are moving toward liberation and victory for all that belongs to God and goodness.

Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan (Sacred Struggle movement leader), Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan (Shirak Diocese), Bishop Mkrtich of Aragatsotn, and Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan (Chancellor of the Mother See) are currently in detention.