The centenary of the Armenian Genocide before us and our souls are probed with a powerful call for justice and truth that will not be silenced.
Every day of 2015 is a day of remembrance and dedication to our people, a spiritual journey to the memories of our martyrs of the homeland and the diaspora, before which we humbly kneel in prayer with incense offerings for the souls of our innocent victims who remain in unmarked graves, having accepted death rather than deny their faith and nation. Indeed, “the path of the righteous is like the dawning light that shines brighter and brighter until the perfect day.”
In 1915 and the following years, Ottoman Turkey committed genocide against our people. Western Armenia – our native soil – in the Armenian homeland and Armenian communities across Turkey, one and one half million son and daughters of our country have been subject to death, famine and disease because they were evicted and forced to walk to their death. Centuries of honest achievements and creativity were quickly looted. Thousands of monasteries and churches were desecrated and destroyed. National institutions and schools have been razed and ruined. Our spiritual and cultural treasures were uprooted and canceled. In Western Armenia, where for thousands of years – from the time of Noah – our people lived, created and built its history and culture, has been deprived of its indigenous population.
There is a century – when fragments of the Armenian nation, having lost their heritage, were scattered all over the world, and while Eastern Armenia was conducting a death struggle for survival against Turkish invaders – it was difficult to believe in the future of the Armenian people. However, a new dawn has come. By the grace of the Lord, our people rose from the dead. Recovered a small part of the country, our people have restored the state, recreates a country on the ruins and relics, and built a “land of light and hope”, science, education and culture. Armenian exiles around the world have built houses and homes, and flourished in the near and far, bringing their traditions and spiritual life. Wherever the children of our country have lived, they have achieved success, earned the respect and trust, and have gained recognition for their hard work and their contributions to science, the arts and the common welfare. This is the story of our people for the last century – a story of adversity and resurrection. Today, despite the difficulties, our country strengthens its independent state, created his new life of freedom, and look with hope in the future, embracing the national awakening, optimism and faith.
Glory to you, Lord, infinite glory, “as a shield you protect us with your good favor.” (Psalm 5:12). By placing our hope in Thee, O Lord, our people have been enlightened and strengthened. Your light on the ingenuity of our mind. Your power has propelled us to our victories. We have created other destroyed our creations. We continued to live while others wanted to kill us. You, Lord, that our people have opted – sentenced to death by a genocidal regime – should live and rise, so we could just raise this issue before the conscience of humanity and the right of nations to free the world the ruthless indifference of Pilate and the refusal of criminal Turkey.
For the sake of justice – until the triumph of our cause, we will continue our struggle without retirement – Church, Nation and State together. The blood of our innocent martyrs and the suffering of our people cry out for justice. Our destroyed shrines, the violation of our national rights, falsification and distortion of our history all scream for justice. Having survived genocide, our people have believed and continue to believe that the multitude of virtuous countries, national and civic organizations, and individuals who have recognized and condemned the Armenian Genocide will be joined by others who believe that the assertion Truth and justice are the prerequisite and guarantor of a peaceful world without hostility and violence.En memory of our one million and a half martyrs of the genocide, we express our gratitude to nations, organizations and individuals who had the courage and conviction to recognize and condemn the Armenian Genocide. We are grateful to the countries and peoples kind who accepted the children of our country as brothers and sisters. These examples of justice and humanitarianism are bright pages in the history of mankind. They must always be remembered and appreciated by generations and have peaceful life, safe and pleasant in the world.
As Catholicos of the Armenians, he is spiritually comforting to tell our people that April 23, 2015 during the Divine Liturgy, our Holy Church will offer a special service for canonizing her son and daughters who accepted martyrdom of saints “for the faith and the homeland “and proclaim April 24 as a day of remembrance for the holy martyrs of Genocide.
O, the Armenian people, honored the top – a martyr nation; a nation reborn – boldly living, advancing steadily, with your gaze to the ark bearing Ararat, and with a heart flawless, keeping your great hope. Encouragement and message of the Lord are for you: “Although you are not powerful, you have been faithful to my word, and you have not betrayed my name … Hold on to what you have to that no one takes your crown of victory. “(Revelations 3: 8-11).
Thus, we remain on track with God, just and true, on the paths of unshakable faith, which, like the morning light dispels darkness and makes them visible expectancy horizons. Our way is with God; and the life of faith is our victory. Let successful centenary by valuing the long road to 100 years of toil and rebirth of our people, to our children, recognizing the heroic will of their grandparents and their parents to live and create, and their commitments for the nation and the country, creating a bright day for our homeland and our people dispersed throughout the world. Transform the memory of our martyrs energy and strength in our spiritual and national life, and before God and all people, lighting the way our course just to guide our path towards achieving justice and our sacred aspirations.
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Let us pray for peace, security and well-being of our country our nation, our beloved around the world people, especially for light and eternal peace for the innocent souls of the saints martyrs of genocide. That love and brotherhood, justice and truth prevail over humanity, and can radiate, guide and spread the light until dawn, a new day brings peace and happiness to everyone .
The grace, love and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you and all of us. Amen.
Karekin II
Catholicos of All Armenians
December 28, 2014
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