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:
A GATHERING IN BIKFAYA COMMEMORATED THE 92ND ANNIVERSARY
OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
The Saint Mary’s Monastery in Bikfaya was flooded with the Armenian youth
on the evening of Monday April 23, the eve of the Armenian Genocide
commemoration day. Primate of the Diocese of Lebanon, Bishop Kegham
Khatcherian presided over the event organized by the joint committee on
commemorating the Genocide. The members and supporters of all
Lebanese-Armenian political organizations, sports’ unions and youth
movements gathered around the Armenian Genocide monument to pay their
respect to the Genocide’s one and a half million victims.
The Seminary students participated in the event by carrying out the requiem
service.
Vazken Jamgotchian delivered the opening remarks of the event saying that
once more Armenians come to bow before the memory of their victims and
reaffirm its pledge to remain loyal to their legacy. Jamgotchian underlined
that Armenians should not wait for April 24 to pursue its cause and
commemorate its martyrs. Rather, they should lead lives where national
struggle, loyalty to national values and demanding accountability from
Turkey are everyday concerns.
The main speaker of the event, Benjamin Betchakdjian, pointed out that
events dedicated to the victims of the Genocide not only commemorate the
memory of the martyrs, but remind everyone that the Armenian cause remains
unresolved and the struggle for justice continues. He stressed that April 24
is also a day of contemplation to think about committed deeds, achievements
and mistakes and to correct them.
Two videos were screened after the speeches. The first depicted the horror
of the Armenian Genocide, included accounts by foreign historians and
information on the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by European
countries. The second video portrayed the recent pilgrimage to Deir Zor of
370 Armenian students from Lebanon.
A march from Antelias to Bikfaya by the members of the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation’s Youth association preceded the event.
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