On October 10, 2026, the Tashir community of Lori Province celebrated the 182nd anniversary of its founding. Present at the celebration were the parish priest of the Armenian Catholic communities of the Tashir region and Dean of the Catholic Armenians of Armenia, Very Rev. Fr. Nerses Galstyan; also H. E. Bishop Hovnan Hakobyan, the Hierarch of the Gougark Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, alongside with the clergy serving in the Tashir region; also Mr. Edgar Arshakyan, the Mayor of Tashir and officials from other state institutions. Representatives from various communities across the Tashir region gathered in the festive square, showcasing the potential of the local hardworking society through their crafts, achievements, and creations. A beautiful concert, a sursprise presented by renowned singer Arkadi Dumikyan, a native of Tashir, made the day even more crowded and celebrated.

Congratulatory Message from Very Rev. Fr. Nerses Galstyan on the Occasion of the Holiday:

“Today, Tashir celebrates the 182nd anniversary of its founding.

However, the holiday of Tashir is not merely the anniversary of a single town. It is also a celebration of our region’s history, shared roots, and mutual bonds.

It is no secret that a significant portion of Tashir’s population originates from the villages of the region—Metsavan, Sarchapet, Norashen, Lernahovit, and other settlements. Many were born and raised here, yet when speaking of their roots, they say, ‘I am from Metsavan,’ ‘I am from Sarchapet,’ or mention the village of their ancestors. This is no coincidence; these bonds continue to live in the memory, family stories, faith, and culture of our people.

An essential part of Tashir’s historical identity is also comprised of the descendants of Armenian Catholic families who settled here in the 19th century from the Mush and Alashkert provinces of Western Armenia. The history of our region is, of course, multi-layered: living side by side here are our compatriots displaced from Artsakh, Armenians resettled from Javakhk, the Armenian villages of the Marneuli district, and other settlements, as well as representatives of the Yezidi, Russian, and other communities. This diversity is part of our region’s life, and mutual respect and coexistence are our shared responsibility.

On the occasion of Tashir’s celebration, I wish to emphasize a thought that is particularly important to me:

The celebration of Tashir is not only an occasion to rejoice, but also an opportunity to reflect on the path we have traveled and to recognize our responsibility toward the future.

We might not be able to impress our guests today with grand buildings or flawless streets, but we can be certain that they will remember Tashir because of our people. Because the greatest wealth of the city is its residents—with their honesty, diligence, sincerity, and hospitality.

Today, unlike others, I do not have a separate pavilion, because my pavilion is Tashir, and my work is service to the people of Tashir.

For more than fifteen years, I have been serving our beloved people of Tashir. Over the years, I have become convinced that service is not merely an office or a duty. It is a decision to remain where your presence is still needed, to share people’s burdens, and to do everything possible to make their lives a little better.

As His Excellency emphasized in his remarks, such events are also an occasion for accountability. And from this stage, I wish to express my deepest gratitude to the organizations and benefactors who, from the 1990s to this day—though not from Tashir themselves—extended a helping hand to our people during difficult years and continued to support them.

Through the Armenian Catholic Church and with the support of international organizations, thousands of children, youth, mothers, and families received necessary assistance—material, educational, social, and spiritual. For many, this support became not only an opportunity to overcome hardships, but also a path to hope and a dignified life.

And today, joining in all the congratulations, I would like to convey one important wish to our city and its residents.

May the day come when every resident of Tashir sees sufficient opportunities in their birthplace to live, create, and build a future for their children. May no one be forced to leave their home in search of a better life, and may everyone who has left be able to hold of the hope of returning. Because our birthplace is not simply the place where we were born. It is our memory, our roots, our identity. And our community must become the place where we not only live, but where we want to live, create, and build a future.

Happy anniverasy, dear Tashir!

Happy anniversary, dear people of Tashir!

May Tashir always remain the town of our love, our service, and our hope.”

Chancery of the Ordinariate for Catholic Armenians

October 12, 2026