N.
Lygeros
Translated
from the Greek by Vicky Baklessi
In one of the oldest Christian churches
of the world, in the city of Etchmiadzin, the Church of Armenia canonized as martyrs the
victims of the Genocide. This innovative act on behalf of the Church is
something unique because of the multitude of the martyrs.
The liturgy was held by the Catholicos of All
Armenians and the Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia and used fourteen
heirlooms. Representatives of England, of America and Canada also participated.
With this act which is not a simple move, the Church of Armenia takes position and
incorporates the issue of the Genocide of the Armenians in a religious level, reassuring
in that manner a victory against oblivion, taking one more step towards truth. This
Christian message has no room for questioning and is based on a mental scheme
that all these genocided, were not simply victims, but didn’t change faith in
order to protect their life. Until the end of their life they remained
Christians against barbarity that wanted to devour them. The Ottoman Empire,
the Young Turks and Kemal tried to annihilate an entire peoples. However, what
did they manage with this Genocide? The Armenians are still here and their
victims are now Saints. The Pope had recognized Saint Gregory as a Master of
the Church and now the Church of Armenia canonized the victims. This process in
a religious level opens a road to all the churches of Christendom. And here the
Ecumenical Patriarchate can take a substantial position for our history.
source: lygeros.org (lemma 19421)
