PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V. Rev. Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: cathcil@cathcil.org
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version:

ARAM I REMINDS THE GLOBAL CHURCHES THE 90TH ANNIVERSARY
OF THE UNPUNISHED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

In his report to the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches,
which meets once a year, His Holiness Aram I referring to the Armenian
Genocide, said: “This year my church and people will commemorate the 90th
Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. During the First World War in 1915,
one-and-a-half million Armenians were massacred by the Ottoman-Turkish
government according to a well-devised and systematically executed plan.
Although my generation did not directly experience the tragic past, the
Armenian Genocide has had a strong impact on our spiritual and intellectual
formation. The past haunts the victims; we cannot free ourselves from the
past unless that past is duly recognized”.

This reference was made in the context of His Holiness’ analysis of the
question of forgiveness and reconciliation. He said: “The acceptance of
truth is the sine qua non condition for forgiveness. The past must be
confronted boldly and be challenged responsibly. Neglecting the past with
its wounds will not help to build a new future. When the memories are not
healed, they hold us hostage to the past; when they are healed, through
confession and forgiveness, they empower us to rebuild relationships,
promote mutual trust and acceptance, and engage in a process of
transformation. Unhealed memories cause violence, hate and fragmentation.
Forgiveness, as a response to confession, is a determining factor in the
healing and reconciliation process. Through forgiveness, we accept each
other in truth and justice. Forgiveness is costly; only confession must lead
to forgiveness, which is a pre-condition for real healing and
reconciliation”.

On the occasion of the 90th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide several
activities are organized in the world-wide Armenian Communities.

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View printable pictures here:

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The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.