Commemoration of the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
24.04.2025
On April 24, in solemn observance of the Memorial Day of the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the Mother Cathedral of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, presided over by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. On this sacred occasion, the reliquary of the Holy Martyrs was brought forth for the veneration of the faithful.
The principal celebrant of the Divine Liturgy was His Grace Bishop Daniel Findikyan, Head of the Postgraduate Division of the Gevorkian Theological Seminary of the Mother See.
His Holiness Karekin II offered his patriarchal message to the Armenian faithful worldwide during the liturgy.
“You do not forsake those who seek You, O Lord” (Psalm 9:10)
Beloved faithful,
Today, in Armenia and throughout the diaspora, we solemnly commemorate the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, remembering in prayerful humility our holy martyrs, who were crowned with martyrdom “for the faith and for the homeland”.
At the dawn of the 20th century, the monstrous genocide orchestrated by the Ottoman Empire claimed the lives of one and a half million of our people. Yet the horrors of massacre and dispossession did not extinguish the enduring strength of our nation. “Afflicted, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken” (2 Corinthians 4:8–9)—our people endured, placing their hope in the Crucified and Risen Savior of the world. Through daily struggles for justice, they survived, steadfast in their identity and sustained by the hope of the ultimate vindication of the Armenian Cause.
The God-given love for our ancient homeland, devotion to its sacred values, and fidelity to our history and millennia-old memory empowered our people to renew life across distant lands—and at the foot of Mount Ararat in Eastern Armenia, to reestablish an independent state. 'You do not forsake those who seek You, O Lord' —with these hope-bearing words of Scripture, the children of our nation faced the trials of time wherever they were, drawing life-giving strength to restore their national and spiritual identity, to create a flourishing culture and art, and to advance knowledge and education.
On this sacred day of remembrance, dear ones, our people across the world turn their steps toward churches and Genocide memorials, renewing their solemn pledge of commitment to continue, as a nation, a Church, and a state, the unceasing pursuit of recognition for the Armenian Genocide. Indeed, crimes committed against humanity and human dignity admit neither justification nor statute of limitations. The recognition and universal condemnation of the Armenian Genocide is not only the duty of our people but a moral imperative for all of civilized humanity. Through the collective efforts of our global nation and with the support of the international community, many countries and human rights organizations have raised their voices for justice, recognizing the Armenian Genocide as a crime against humanity.
The condemnation of the Armenian Genocide must not be confined to moments of gathering at monuments; it must instead be accompanied by consistent efforts to restore justice for our people and prevent such tragedies from ever recurring. Without condemning these crimes and confronting the historical truth, it is impossible to establish peace among nations or ensure a bright future for future generations. The path to building a safe and secure world lies in rejecting violence, war, hatred, and incitement to enmity.
Our pursuit of justice for the Armenian Cause carries no hatred or hostility. It reflects our national dignity and a compass that guides our reverence for our holy martyrs and the remembrance of their sacrifice. The pursuit of justice is our sacred duty to the generations to come.
Beloved Armenian People,
In the face of a grave and challenging reality—when Artsakh has been forcibly seized and ethnically cleansed through a new genocide, and Armenia stands before looming security threats—it is more imperative than ever that we unwaveringly preserve our commitment to the sacred values of faith, nation, and homeland. We must unite and act resolutely for the triumph of justice, transforming the course of our lives for the sake of national revival.
'The Lord does not forsake those who seek Him' — with this unshakable conviction, let us continue to face the trials that have befallen us and collectively enrich our national and homeland life. Despite the current security threats and ongoing internal divisions, the distortions of history and values in our reality, and the spread of false ideologies and perceptions, let us remain vigilant in safeguarding our spiritual and moral values and grow ever stronger in our love for our homeland and nation.
Indeed, fidelity to the heritage of our ancestors, pan-national solidarity, and a profound sense of duty toward the homeland are the guarantors of our endurance and the preservation of our independent statehood.
Today, the memory of our holy martyrs calls us to recognize the urgency of national unity. Through our unity, God works and bestows His blessings and grace. Guided by this truth, beloved ones, we shall ensure the security and prosperity of our fatherland and fulfill the visions and dreams we hold for the future.
With this faith, let us lift our prayers to God and seek the intercession of our holy martyrs that genocidal crimes may have no place in the life of humanity and that, under the grace of the Risen Christ, our homeland and people across the world may dwell in peace and safety. United in love and steadfast in hope, may we be empowered to overcome the trials that lie ahead.
May the mercy, blessings, and peace of our Risen Lord Jesus Christ be with us all, now and forever. Amen."
Following the Divine Liturgy, a solemn procession of clergy bearing the reliquary of the Holy Martyrs made its way to the courtyard of the Mother Cathedral. There, before the cross-stone of Prayer and Pilgrimage, and under the presidency of the Catholicos of All Armenians, an intercessory service was offered in memory of the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide.
