April 24 - Commemoration Day of the Victims of the Armenian Genocide
28.04.2008
On the morning of April 24, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, visited the National Memorial to the Armenian Genocide, located on Tsitsernakaberd Hill in Yerevan. His Holiness was accompanied by high-ranking members of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin.
At the memorial, His Holiness Karekin II and His Excellency Serzh Sargsian, President of the Republic of Armenia, placed floral wreaths before the eternal flame of the monument. His Holiness presided during a Requiem service dedicated to the memory of the innocent 1.5 million victims of the Armenian Genocide.
Present for the ceremony were President of the National Assembly Mr. Tigran Torosian, Prime-Minister Tigran Sargsian, members of the National Assembly, government officials and other dignitaries.
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The same day a solemn Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the Mother Cathedral of of Holy Etchmiadzin. His Grace Bishop Arshak Khachatrian, Chancellor of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin was the celebrant and delivered a message in remembrance of this crime against humanity.
Following the Liturgy, a procession of clergy escorted the Catholicos, to the Memorial of the Armenian Genocide located on the grounds of the Mother See, north of the Mother Cathedral. Standing near the monument of Khatchkars (Stone-crosses), His Holiness presided during a special Repose of Souls service.
Monsignor Claudio Gugerotti, Vatican Nuncio to the Southern Caucasus was in attendance during the services.
