Catholicos of All Armenians Attends the Session of the State Committee on Coordinating Events Dedicated to the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide
On May 27, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, attended the fourth session of the State Committee on coordinating events dedicated to the Commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. His Holiness offered his message to the committee members and those present.
MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS KAREKIN II,
SUPREME PATRIARCH AND CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS,
DURING THE SESSION OF THE STATE COMMITTEE ON
COORDINATING EVENTS DEDICATED TO THE COMMEMORATION OF THE
100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
Honorable President of the Republic of Armenia,
Honorable President of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh,
Beloved brother in Christ, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia,
Respectable Patriarch of the Armenian Catholic Community,
Dear committee members and guests,
With a joyous heart we welcome and offer you the blessings of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin on the occasion of this gathering. We are here together to unite our efforts in discussing the projects and organizing the events dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. It is providential that this meeting convenes amid the days when the glorious tiding of the Resurrection of Our Lord is still resounding, when all throughout the world we are celebrating the victories of our people in the battles of Sardarapat, Bash- Aparan and Gharakilisa, and the proclamation of the first Armenian Republic. On this occasion we congratulate all Armenian people, recalling the timeless words of the Patriarch Gevorg V Surenyants of blessed memory on the eve of the heroic battles in May, “I have always believed in the spirit of my people. I know of their anguish. I am also confident that my nation still has a message to convey. And that message will be exultant!”
With God’s merciful will our people are meeting the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide with a restored native statehood, with the achievements of an independent and new life in Armenia and Artsakh over the last 20 years, and the realistic prospects of defending their rights.
Our trial hasn’t been victorious yet, but our efforts were productive. Today, nations, churches, international and ecclesiastical organizations came to replace the individual humanitarian people condemning the Armenian Genocide. Although not as powerful, the just demand of our people to recognize the Armenian Genocide resonates in Turkey as well with the promise to become stronger. Our people have achieved all this due to the struggle that has lasted half a century, striving on its own, enduring hardships, making sacrifices, showing commitment, and strong faith, and putting great efforts towards transforming and uplifting their lives and voicing their just trial all over the world.
The 100th anniversary must reflect the appreciation for our people’s heroic path that lasted a century, an occasion and encouragement for reinforcing our national identity, gathering around our Homeland, strengthening the spirit of unity, keeping our lives true to the path of faith and the divine commandments.
We live in a challenging period of history, when the application of double standards is rapidly spread among the international community, which is very often not caused by a deep sense of justice, but rather economic and geopolitical benefits and priorities. In such a situation we are required to unite, and by combining our efforts and means and uniting our vision, gain the victory of our just trial, realize the right to reparation and diminish the consequences of the Genocide.
With its Hierarchical Sees, the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church will continue implementing all means and facilities in raising her voice from all international and ecumenical platforms to recognize the Armenian Genocide and condemn the policy of denial. That policy resulted in the rejection of the people in Arstakh for the right of a free and independent life, as well as the blockade of the Republic of Armenia, which is legally perceived and defined as an announced of war against our country and people. Yet the international community remains silent.
On the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in 2015, our Church will canonize the martyrs of the Great Genocide, proclaiming the sacrament of their spiritual deed and heroism. We will also bless the Holy Chrism as the testimony of the Divine grace, the rebirth of our people, as a hope and light for our people to head towards new victories in Armenia, Artsakh and throughout the Diaspora.
It is my prayer that God bless, keep and support our people to carry on our united efforts in the name of the reinforcement and prosperity of our Homeland, the defense of our rights, and the vibrancy of our spiritual and national life, forging a new bright period in our history.
May the Almighty support and guide us, granting success to the mission of our faith.
