ROME TO COMMEMORATE GENOCIDE DESPITE TURKEY’S EFFORTS

16:35 * 10.04.15

Rome will host commemoration events dedicated to the Armenian Genocide
centennial despite the strong pressures it recently faced by the
Turkish authorities.

On April 24, St Peter’s Temple of Vatican will serve a liturgy
dedicated to the memory of the 1.5 million victims. The historic
ceremony will be unprecedented in scope, as the place of warship
earlier organized only prayers in remembrance of those killed in
genocides.

The liturgy will be held upon initiative of Pope Francis.

The pressures against him and the Holy See were unprecedented. The
Turkish side did all its best to disrupt the plans, but its efforts
proved fruitless. The liturgy will not only be served but also
broadcast live. Pope Francis, who has already written his sermon,
is expected to meet with the Armenian President Serzh Sargsyam after
the mass (the pontific is usually the last to leave the temple after
ceremonies).

At the end, Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II and Patriarch of
the Holy See of Cilicia Aram II are expected to deliver addresses,
according to Mikael Minasyan, Armenia’s ambassador to the Holy See.

“This liturgy at the Holy See is unprecedented for several reasons. It
is important to note that there will also be a requiem mass. The
liturgy is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide,
but it is being served for the Armenians around the world,” the state
news agency Armenpress quotes him as saying.

Armenian community representatives from different continents are
expected to attend the ceremony.