Biden, Power Listen in as Aram I Calls for Justice
WASHINGTON (A.W.)—During the prayer service on May 7 commemorating the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide, titled “The Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide: A Prayer for Justice and Peace,” His Holiness Aram I Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia delivered powerful remarks, stressing that true reconciliation between Turkey and Armenia can only be based on recognition and reparations.
“As Christians, we believe that reconciliation is an integral part of our Christian faith and vocation. But cheap reconciliation generates further injustice. True reconciliation implies accountability. True reconciliation means recognition of genocides and reparation,” said Aram I.
U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power joined President of Armenia Serge Sarkisian, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, and His Holiness Aram I in the prayer service, which was held at the Washington National Cathedral.
Most Rev. Dr. Katharine Jefferts Schori, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, welcomed the attendees. Rev. Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary of the World Council of Churches, delivered the sermon. Catholicoi Karekin II and Aram I led the interfaith service.
Descendants of saviors who selflessly helped thousands of Armenians survive the genocide were also in attendance, and were acknowledged during the service.
Below is Catholicos Aram I’s message in its entirety:
Your Excellency, Mr. Vice President of the United States of America,
Your Excellency, Mr. President of the Republic of Armenia,
Your Holiness, Your Eminences, Your Excellencies, Dear Clergy,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Centennial of the Armenian Genocide is defined by three key words, and these are—to Remember, to Remind, and to Claim. These three dimensions and challenges of this landmark event are closely interconnected.
First, we remember the martyrs of the Armenian Genocide. In fact, we always remember our genocide in our reflections and actions. Our martyrs are integral, inseparable, and existential parts of our daily life. They are present in all aspects, spheres, and expressions of our individual and common life.
With their spiritual and moral values and human ideals they sustain our life; and they become the guiding post, the guiding lines of our common life in this world. Indeed, our martyrs are the blood of our Church and the sustaining power of Armenian life.
Second, in commemorating and remembering our martyrs, we remind the world of the sacred legacy of our martyrs. In 1915, a well-planned and systematically organized genocide took place against the Armenian people. Today, some people may, for geopolitical reasons, refer to it as a “Great Tragedy.” Others may depict it as “massacre,” or simply as “relocation” because of wartime. But what happened in 1915 was a genocide.
Even if the term “genocide” was not yet part of the vocabulary of international law in 1915, what happened against the Armenian people was by its very intent and methods a genocide. And genocide is a crime against humanity.
Last but not least, in remembering our martyrs and reminding their sacred legacy to the world, we claim justice. In fact, I believe that according to the teachings of all religions, justice is a gift of God, and rejection of justice is a sin against God. Justice is also the core of human rights. Respecting human rights means rejecting injustice and promoting the values of injustice. Any government, any society that is not sustained by values of justice becomes a source of evil, a source of intolerance.
As Christians, we believe that reconciliation is an integral part of our Christian faith and vocation. But cheap reconciliation generates further injustice. True reconciliation implies accountability. True reconciliation means recognition of genocides and reparation.
Furthermore, reconciliation means accepting the truth. As the Bible says, the truth frees us, the truth liberates us. The truth liberates us from self-centeredness. The truth liberates us from all forms of arrogance and ignorance.
Indeed, this is the Christian way, and I believe this is the human way. Therefore, let us join our efforts together to build a world in which injustice is replaced with justice; intolerance with tolerance, mutual acceptance; and polarization by reconciliation. This is the human way. This is the way in which we Armenians all over the world are committed.
May God bless you all.
His grace Aram reminds me our beloved Khrimian Hayrig
Right on
I hope we give him hardware instead of paper ware this time.
If you know what I meen.
His Holiness Aram I , as a result of the unification efforts of the centennial, has been very visible to the community. This is especially important for those in the diocesan community, who may not have experienced his leadership skills directly. It is gratifying to see the resources of our nation working together with a clear mission. I pray that this continues and is sustainable.
“Indeed, this is the Christian way, and I believe this is the human way.”
Couldn’t say any wiser !!!!!!
Thank you, Your Holiness !
Has anyone been able to find a video of His Holiness Aram I’s sermon given May 9 during the Divine Liturgy performed at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception?? That was one inspiring message and I would love to hear it again. He spoke so eloquently, going from faith to justice and back again. It brought goose-bumps.
Nishan,
Here is the link of Aram I’s sermon at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-vQwjGr7LI
-Rupen
His Holiness Aram I, a man of the cloak, delivered the most poignant, piercing, and strong statement in his remarks, that there can be no reconciliation without justice. And justice cannot be fulfilled without recognition and reparations for the Genocide.
What an inspiration. Not only is he a pious religious person, but he is an incredible leader.
Vart Adjemian
“… but he is an incredible leader”
and an outstanding public speaker.
excellent English; powerful presentation; impeccable delivery.
We congratulate Vice Pres. Joe Biden & Samantha Powers for attending the Ceremony for the 100th Anniv. of the Armenian Genocide. However, it was disapointing that Pres. Barack Obama did not attend and the fact that he still has not come forward to recognize our well documented Armenian Genocide while numerous nations around the world along with Pope Francis of the Vatican have recognized these atrocities as Genocide. In this nation of the United States as a supposedly true Democratic country to hold back an atrocity as recorded as a Genocide does not look good for the Obama Administration.
I would like to propose the following scenario: The establishment of An International Reconciliation Committee involving Armenia the 23 countries which have already recognized the Armenian genocide and the Turkish government, allowing the Armenian population willing to go back and rebuilt the occupied territories.
May God bless prserve our beloved Vehapar and hear his message to fulfill this desire. Movses Anna Movsesian Plymouth, Mi
Repentance to anyone besides Allah is forbidden in Islam. So how do we expect the Turks to ask for the forgiveness of Armenians for the genocide they perpetrated?
His Holiness Aram I delivered a very strong speech. He was applauded several times during his remarks where he made it very clear that the atrocities against the Armenian people was indeed Genocide and that we claim justice for justice is a gift of God! God Bless you Vehapar!!!!!
@RUPEN…Thank You very much!!
@Vart & Avery….I agree 100%.
Why was Samantha Power present? She kept steady silence on Obama’s failure to recognize the Armenian Genocide, before and especially after its 100th anniversary. What, then, was she doing at the prayer service commemorating the centennial of the Armenian Genocide?
Currently the world seems to have very few true leaders, spiritual or otherwise.
Thank you Your Holiness.
An Islamic scholar recently told me that Islam does not apologize. But Islam believes in blood money. Sure different than what we believe in……
Annie,
You have a very valid point, Islam do not believe in genocides, but believes in Jihadism and wipe infidels… I wonder why Turkey looking for to become part of “Christian” European Civilization??
His Holiness Aram I beautifully, powerfully and poignantly speaks for the Armenian people and especially for the ancestors they lost to genocide. His speeches are powerful, truthful, and truly inspirational. Words cannot describe my deep gratitude to him for his courage and relentless strength and leadership. I only wish my grandmother and all my relatives now passed on and who escaped the Genocide, could see and hear His Holiness speak!