ARMENIAN COMMUNITY OF DAMASCUS APPEAL TO ARMENIAN GENOCIDE VICTIMS’ MEMORY

DAMASCUS, MAY 8, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Events dedicated to
the 91st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide were held in the
Armenian community of Damascus. The divine service was celebrated on
April 23 at the Surb Sargis church, wreaths were laid at the April
Martyrs Monument after what Armenian unions of Damascus presented an
artistic program. On behalf of the Damascus cultural unions, Doctor
George Barseghian made a speech. “If Armenia’s independence was a
dream for us and today it has come true, then we are sure that the
international recognition of the Armenian Genocide is a vision as well
that will become reality,” he particularly said. As Noyan Tapan was
informed by the Damascus Armenian Diocese, at the end of the April 24
solemn Surb Liturgy, a private divine ceremony took place in front of
the April Martyrs Monument. Diocese primate Bishop Armash Nalbandian
addressed a commandment at the Surb Liturgy. Bishop Rimon Id, the
primate of the Maronite church of Damascus was present at the
liturgy. He prayed in front of the Martyrs’ Monument, expressing his
support to the martyr Armenian people. After the Surb Liturgy, all
those present went to the national graveyard where a requiem at the
Martyrs’ Monument was also held. Tatev Basmajian, the spiritual pastor
of the Armenian Gospel church of Damascus addressed commandment at the
national graveyard. In the afternoon, His Holiness Armash, the
Armenian diocese primate of Damascus and representatives of Damascus
unions visited the RA Embassy and left a notice in the memorial
register. The Surb Liturgy was celebrated at the Armenian Catholic
Church of Damascus late on April 24, after what a requiem ceremony was
held. A lecture dedicated to the 91st anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide was delivered at the Surb Sargis Church of Damascus on late
April 28. Doctor Tessa Hoffman arrived from Germany spoke on the theme
“Germany and Armenia: Facing Historic Responsibility.” Touching upon
the Genocide reality, Tessa Hoffman made a detailed historic review,
particularly emphasizing Germany’s complicity and participation in the
Genocide as well as Germany’s silence in the process of recognition
and condemnation of the Genocide. At the end of her speech, Tessa
Hoffman apologized for that state which has not recognized the
Armenian Genocide up today.