On the occasion of 24th April which is the Remembrance Day of one and a half million Armenian martyrs, the victims of genocide which was planned and executed by the Ottoman Turkish Empire in 1915, a Eucharistic celebration was held in the court of the Catholicosate, in Antelias, Lebanon, under the auspices of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I.
The church service was attended by the representatives of Armenian political parties, community institutions, deputies and leaders. At the end of the Eucharistic celebration, memorial service was held with the participation of the clergy. The religious ceremony was followed by the speeches of the representatives of three political parties: the Social Democrat Hunchakian Party, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, and The Armenian Democratic Liberal Party.
The concluding message was given by His Holiness Aram I.
The core message of His Holiness’ speech was that the Armenian people claim justice, namely recognition of genocide and reparation. He said that the Genocide Remembers Day is not only a day to remember the martyrs and their legacy, but also to recommit ourselves to struggle for justice. Catholicos Aram I pointed out that the genocide which was planned and executed by the Ottoman Turkish Empire; it is inseparable and undeniable part of history. He said that it is a legal demand according to the international law which clearly displays the right of a people victim of genocide. The Catholicos emphasized that the struggle for justice is sacred, because justice is a God-given reality and its violation is a sin against God. And finally, he reminded that our claim is deeply rooted in the common consciousness of our nation because the intention of those who perpetrated genocide against Armenians was to annihilate a whole nation.
Referring to the neo-pantouranistic policy of the present Turkey, His Holiness said that we should be extremely careful, including the Arab world regarding the dangerous consequences of such policy in modern times. His Holiness concluded his message by affirming that in spite of huge challenges, the Armenian people will continue their legitimate claim for justice with renewed faith and determination.
