Armenian Apostolic Holy Church The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

Your Excellency, President Serzh Sargsyan;
Your Excellency, President Bako Sahakyan of Nagorno Karabagh;
Beloved Brother in Christ,
Your Beatitude Spiritual Father,
Dear Reverend Clergy,
Dear committee members and dear guests,

With a contented heart we bring to all of you our Pontifical blessing from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Today we again gather to discuss the organization of the programs and events and planned and coordinated for the observation of the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

The year 2015 opened in our lives with the luminous procedures for the canonization of the victims of the Armenian Genocide. As already known, on April 23, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, our Apostolic Holy Church in a solemn ceremony will bestow the order of sainthood on our martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the love of faith and the Homeland. The intercessions of our martyrs will renew the life of our people, the commemoration of their spiritual deeds will encourage our nation's children to live by the love of God; and with a patriotic spirit, enforce the protection of our rights, strengthen our country, and create a bright future for our nation.

The 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide is a new milestone in our just struggle for claims and compensation. Our nation, which today faces many problems and difficulties - a blockade, threat of war, and the failure of attempts for recognition of the Armenian Genocide by Turkey in the international arena; will resolutely continue her fight for justice. 100 years after the Armenian Genocide, the justice for the blood of our martyrs, our lost homeland, our churches, and destruction of our numerous cultural values, has not yet been recovered, although the Armenian Genocide is recognized and condemned by many countries and reputable organizations, to which our people are grateful. Our entire nation’s fair expectation is that Turkey would join the countries which have recognized the genocide, and face their own history. The driving force behind our people in calling the Turkish state to responsibility and making legal claims in the courts is not hatred or hostility, but an aspiration and demand to see justice recovered. Turkey continues her denialist policy of the Armenian Genocide with a variety of schemes and deceptions up to present day. A new manifestation of this same behavior is the proclamation of the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Gallipoli on April 24 by the Turkish authorities, on the same day and year of the 100th Anniversary of the Genocide, which obviously aims to divert the world's attention and minimize the significance of a century anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Our Pontifical recommendation to our sons and daughters worldwide is exert all efforts and resources, expose the true nature of such actions, and the spirit and purpose of Turkey's denialist policy, at public, state and international levels, and keep pressing for the recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide, and justice. The 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide is a call for restoration of justice, and urges for the condemnation of all genocides perpetrated in the world, rampant terrorism, and finally crimes against humanity and conscience.

The 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide calls for the world to put an end to the sacrifice of people’s lives and violation of human rights; for their own interests. The crimes distorting the safe and normal life of mankind and the world are certainly a ramification from the delay in universal condemnation of the Armenian Genocide.

We welcome the adoption of the pan-Armenian declaration on the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, and convey our appreciation to the members of the writing committee.

Our Apostolic Holy Church, strengthening the potential and oneness of the Armenians worldwide, will continue to join efforts with the native state, national organizations and institutions for the sake of our just cause to victory, and will continue her efforts in the international and interdenominational arenas; for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide and elimination of the consequences of the Genocide

We pray that Almighty God grant peace to the whole of humanity and that the entire world strengthens in solidarity and love for humanity

May the Lord keep our people united in faith, preserve our homeland under peaceful skies and be united to the whole Armenians; to make our country strong and establish the development of our nation in welfare and progress.

May the grace, love and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you and with all. Amen