The Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
On Wednesday, April 24, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, visited the "Tsitsernakaberd" Memorial to the Armenian Genocide of 1915, to pay tribute to the memory of the victims of the first genocide of the 20th Century. His Excellency Robert Kocharian, President of the Republic of Armenia, and His Excellency Arkady Ghoukassian, President of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabagh, accompanied His Holiness, as well as the bishops, priests and deacons of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
His Holiness led the procession of officials, ambassadors and diplomats to the Eternal Flame of the Memorial. Under the impressive shadow of the stone structure, a solemn requiem service was conducted in honor of the 1.5 million Armenian martyrs who perished in the final days of the Ottoman Empire.
Also in attendance during the service were Mr. Armen Khatchatrian, Speaker of the National Assembly; Mr. Andranik Manukian, Prime Minister; Mr. Gagik Harutunian, President of the Constitutional Court, and high-ranking state officials and dignitaries.
Following the requiem service in Yerevan, His Holiness' entourage returned to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin for the celebration of a solemn Divine Liturgy. His Holiness presided during the service, which was celebrated by His Grace Bishop Paren Avedikian.
At the conclusion of the Liturgy, the Catholicos of All Armenians led the ranks of clergy and the faithful to the Armenian Genocide Martyrs? Monument built on the grounds of the Mother See, north of the main cathedral. A Repose of Souls service was conducted by His Holiness, asking Almighty God to grant rest to the souls of those departed, especially for the souls of those who perished 87 years ago in the Genocide.
