Commemoration Services of the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide in the Tsitsernakabered Memorial Complex and Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
24.04.2019
On April 24, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; accompanied by members of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin, visited the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex, where under the presidency of His Holiness and with the attendance of the RA President Mr. Armen Sargsyan; RA Prime Minister Mr. Nikol Pashinyan; RA NA Speaker Mr. Ararat Mirzoyan and state officials, a prayer service was held, through which they asked for the intercession of the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide.
On the same day, the Brotherhood of the Mother See attended a Divine Liturgy offered in the St. Gayane Monastery. On this occasion, the relic of the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide was brought for the worship of the faithful.
The Celebrant was Rev. Fr. Tovma Khachatryan, Dean of the Pan Armenian Church Youth Organization (ACYO) and Director of the Central Office and member of the Brotherhood of the Mother See.
During the liturgy, Fr. Tovma reflected on the mystery of the day and stated in part: “Did God want the Genocide to happen, and where was Christ?
First, why did God permit the cruel massacre of our people? Another issue should be raised to this question, did God want the sufferings and death of His son? Knowing God's goodness and love, charity and mercy, we can say that God did not want that bloody mischief. Our people was a new Job. Indeed, in the Biblical character Job, we can see the incarnation of our nation's patience, devotion and faithfulness to God.
Where was Christ when all the people were slaughtered and destroyed? Our Lord Jesus Christ was in His people, suffering with them and again, the sigh was heard: “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matthew 27.46).”
Fr. Tovma also spoke about the State that committed the Genocide and the forgiveness towards the descendants of the people.
We can speak about forgiveness, if the sinner regrets, confesses the admitted crime and shows willingness to compensate for the damage. Of course, in our case it is impossible to speak about compensation, because the moral damage is so deep and unbearable that both by the church and secular legal standards, it is impossible to set compensation for the damage to our people”, confirmed Fr. Tovma, adding that the world must recognize the Armenian Genocide first of all for itself and foremost to prevent holocausts, Rwandan and Nigerian genocide, so that the crime, the genocide, will completely disappear from the world.
At the conclusion Fr. Tovma urged everyone to be strengthened by the graces of the Holy Resurrection of the Lord, to pray for each other and be united.
Following the Divine Liturgy, at the courtyard of the Mother Cathedral, under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; an order of intercession was offered.
