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Antelias: Commemoration of April 24 in Antelias

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  • Antelias: Commemoration of April 24 in Antelias

    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: http://www.cathcil.org/

    PO Box 70 317
    Antelias-Lebanon

    Armenian version: http://www.cathcil.org/v04/doc/Armenian.htm

    Watch the recorded video of the commemoration and the message of His
    Holiness Aram I here:
    http://www.cathcil.org/v04/doc/Videos/Genocide.wmv

    Read the message of His Holiness Aram I in Armenian here:
    http://www.cathcil.org/v04/doc/Pontifical%20Messag es/messages8.htm

    91ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

    "APRIL 24 IS NOT A SINGLE DAY FOR US, EVERY DAY IS APRIL 24 FOR US"
    SAYS HIS HOLINESS ARAM I

    Thousands of Lebanese Armenian assembled in the Antelias headquarters of the
    Armenian Church (Catholicosate of Cilicia) on April 24 to commemorate the
    first Genocide of the 21st century, that of their forefathers. Gathered
    around the first Armenian Genocide monument ever to be erected in the world,
    they renewed their pledge to remain loyal to the memory of the victims of
    the Armenian Genocide and to demand justice for the Armenian nation.

    91 years after the bloody massacres and as established by tradition Holy
    Mass was held in the St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral. His Holiness
    Aram I, Catholicos of Cilicia, then headed a procession towards the Martyrs'
    Chapel where the remains of Armenian Genocide victims rest and a requiem
    service was held around the chapel.

    The celebrant of the Holy Mass was Bishop Kegham Khatcherian, Primate of the
    Diocese of Lebanon. His Holiness Aram I then delivered his message to the
    people.

    "Today is a day of national struggle and accountability. This is how I
    characterize April 24 on our nation's calendar. We are gathered with the
    spirit of accountability and demands. Struggle means accountability. Our
    martyrs demand explanation from us today," the Pontiff said.

    "Is the Armenian student ready to give account? Is the Armenian youth ready
    to explain that it is strongly committed to the eternal legacy of our
    martyrs in its everyday life?" he asked.

    His Holiness said: "Our martyrs remind us that we should demand
    accountability from criminal Turkey that executed a government planned
    Genocide against our nation in 1915. If criminal Turkey continues to deny
    the Genocide committed by its ancestors, there are proofs, even in the
    criminal's drawers, that witness to this crime committed against humanity.
    Where is justice, where is respect for human rights, where is the unfolding
    of truth? we ask. But we will continue our national struggle, accounting to
    our martyrs and demanding accountability from the criminal."

    "April 24 is not a single day in our calendar. Every day is April 24 for the
    individual who considers himself Armenian and lives as an Armenian. Today we
    renew our pledge from Armenia to Antelias gathered around the remains of our
    martyrs. In all the corners of the world we renew our pledge to walk down
    the path of our martyrs, remaining true to their legacy; walk down the path
    that will lead us to justice, because that is the road that leads to the
    truth," added the Spiritual Head.

    The thousands of Armenian listening to the message then watched the
    placement of wreaths by various Armenian organizations and parties and the
    mass then started a march towards the municipality stadium in Bourj Hammoud,
    where a special event was organized on this occasion.

    ##
    View photos here:
    http://www.cathcil.org/v04/doc/Photos/Pictur es57.htm

    http://www.cathcil.org/v04/doc/Photos/Pi ctures58.htm

    http://www.cathcil.org/v04/doc/Photo s/Pictures59.htm


    *****

    The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
    the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
    mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of the
    Catholicosate, http://www.cathcil.org/ The Cilician Catholicosate, the
    administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.
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