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: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
HIS HOLINESS HIGHLIGHTS THE 90 YEAR-OLD UNITED STRUGGLE OF THE ARMENIANS FOR
JUSTICE
Antelias, Lebanon – On the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide His Holiness Aram I embarked on a pilgrimage to Deir-Zor in order
to pay tribute to its one and a half million victims and hold a requiem
service for their souls.
The chapel and monument constructed, due to the efforts of the Catholicosate
of Cilicia and the Diocese of Aleppo, at the site of the collective graves
of the Armenian victims have in the last decade given a new meaning to the
place and transformed it from a pilgrimage site to a holy one.
At the site of the unburied remains of the Genocide victims, His Holiness
called upon the whole world and the international community to recognize the
Armenian Genocide.
“A crime that aims at eliminating a nation constitutes Genocide. Genocide is
a crime against humanity recognized by the international community and the
United Nations. Thus, the Armenian Genocide is a legal problem and an issue
related to justice in international law. The international community should
not remain silent towards such a collective crime,” he said.
During the sermon he gave at Deir-Zor, His Holiness highlighted the struggle
the Armenians have waged for 90 years and continue to wage with collective
efforts and unrelenting efforts.
“90 years on, oh Armenian people, you held requiem and remembered your
victims. For 90 years you transformed constantly fought for building your
nation and your homeland. For 90 years continuously, you knocked on the
doors of nations and demanded reparations for an unpunished Genocide,” said
His Holiness.
“All your generations formed on this vision and faith. Your spiritual
leaders, intellectuals, youth and political leaders lived and fought with
this determination and responsibility. Shame on those nations, who forget
their martyrs. Shame on those who don’t fight for their national cause. All
the old and new attempts to confine you to history, to overlook your
struggle have failed and will fail thanks to your united stand and resolve,”
added the Pontiff.
His Holiness presented a small version of the St. Gregory Cathedral of
Antelias to the Genocide museum in Deir-Zor, in memory of all the victims
and the survivors, who reconstructed the deported Catholic sate in Antelias.
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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 history and
the mission 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.