President attended the opening ceremony of the Unified Cross Memorial in Yerevan

President Serzh Sargsyan attended today the opening ceremony of the Unified Cross Memorial in Yerevan which in its unique way symbolizes the centuries-long friendship of the Armenian and Russian peoples. The Memorial was unveiled by the Co-Chairs of the Armenian-Russian intergovernmental commission the Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Sarkissian and RF Minister of Transporation Maxim Sokolov. The replica of the Memorial, which has the “Blessed is the centuries-long friendship of the Armenian and Russian peoples” inscription on the pedestal, was installed in 1997 on the occasion of the 850th anniversary of Moscow in the center of the city, at the Nikitski Gates Park. The monument is created by the sculptor Frid Soghoyan, Distinguished Artist of RF Vahe Soghoyan, Distinguished Artist of Armenia Michael Soghoyan and architects Razmik and Tigran Manuokian.

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Additional information on the United Cross Memorial

On December 2, at the area enclosed within Moskovian-Nalbandian-Isahakian streets in Yerevan installed was a memorial which carries the Unified Cross name. It is a unique symbol for the centuries-long friendship of the Armenian and Russian peoples. The Memorial is built of white and grey granite: the 4,5 meter long memorial depicts two women who represent the Armenian and Russian nations. They bow to the cross – the symbol of their common faith - and protect it at the same time. The choice of color and material for the Memorial is consonant to its meaning, while the size of the Memorial serves to provide a sense of monumentality.

The replica of the Memorial was installed in 1997 on the occasion of the 850th anniversary of Moscow in the center of the city, at the Nikitski Gates Park and symbolizes friendship of the Armenian and Russian peoples.

The inscription on the pedestal of the Memorial - “Blessed is centuries-long friendship of the Armenian and Russian peoples” was chosen and sanctified by the Patriarch of All Russia Alexii II of blessed memory.

The monument is created by the sculptor Frid Soghoyan, Distinguished Artist of RF Vahe Soghoyan, Distinguished Artist of Armenia Michael Soghoyan and architects Razmik and Tigran Manuokian.

The construction of the Memorial was sponsored by Moscow residents Sergei Hambardzumian and Makar Nahapetian.