Statement of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church Bishops’ Synod
16/11/14
We extend gratification to the Holy Trinity- Father, Son and Holy Spirit that from November 11 to 13, granted us the grace on the eve of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, to convene the Bishops’ Synod in the Mother See, under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; and His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia; and discuss issues concerning our Church and our people.
In prayer, we remember the countless victims of the Armenian Genocide who were martyred for the sake of faith and homeland. We believe that the canonization of the innocent victims will bring consolation to our sons. We urge our nation’s children around the world to bring their active participation to the 100th anniversary commemorative events and the canonization of the innocent victims.
The Bishops’ Synod offers an invitation to the Christian world to join in prayer dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, and commemorative ceremonies being held in 2015, asking the Lord’s blessing for justice, peace and reconciliation in the world, and overcoming the numerous troubles and challenges facing humanity.
We resolutely call on the international community to continue efforts for the recognition and condemnation of the first genocide in the 20th century, committed against the Armenian people by the Ottoman Empire. We also call on the Turkish Republic to recognize the genocide perpetrated against the Armenian people and restore our people’s rights.
We pray to God for our martyrs; for the rest of the souls who are killed protecting the borders of Armenia and Artsakh. We condemn the unrestrained military operations by Azerbaijan, at the borders of Armenia and the Nagorno Karabagh Republic, whose latest painful provocation during the days of this convened Bishops’ Synod, was the downing of the Armenian helicopter resulting in the tragic loss of our sons. We raise a prayer for the souls of our killed sons, offering our condolences and support to the families of the brave soldiers who died for our country.
The Bishops’ Synod expresses concern for different regions of the world, particularly in the Middle East – Syria and Iraq; as well as for the ongoing conflict in the Ukraine, that has caused the loss of many human lives and created destruction. We offer our support to the civilians living in conflict zones, including our nation’s children, praying for the immediate stop of military operations and for universal and lasting establishment of peace.
With confidence that “Christ is our God and our only hope” and with a sense of duty to the memory of the innocent victims of the Armenian Genocide, the Bishops’ Synod restates their sacred vow to continue their cherished mission for the vibrancy of our Church, national unity, strengthening of our country, and the welfare of our people.
May Almighty God Bless our Church, our Homeland, and the Armenian nation, today and always, Amen.
