Below is an appeal sent by the religious leaders of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Armenian Catholic Church, and the Armenian Evangelical Union of North America.
This year, for the first time since 1915, April 24th, the 96th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, falls on Easter Sunday.
On this sacred day, for the first time since the Armenian Genocide, we will join together as Christians to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ after His death on the cross, and also, as heirs of an ancient people that arose nearly a century ago from the ashes of genocide, to mark our own rebirth.
We will recall with thanksgiving to the Almighty, our resurrection as a people from the fires of hatred that nearly consumed us in 1915. As a people who believe in the power of faith and forgiveness, we seek a true and enduring redemption for the Republic of Turkey, the direct descendants of the Ottoman Empire, through repentance and restitution. For, just as Scripture tells us that the truth will set us free, so too will justice set us all upon the path to peace. The difficult path to true forgiveness must pass through confession and compensation.
As Armenians and children of the first nation to adopt Christianity, we approach this holiest of days with a call to all of our Christian brothers and sisters worldwide, and to all Muslims, Jews, believers of all denominations and faiths, to join with us in offering a prayer for the Armenian, Assyrian, Chaldean, Syriac, Pontian, Greek, and other victims of the Ottoman Empire’s World War I-era genocide. Let us raise our voices in unison for peace and justice to prevail throughout the world.
Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan
Bishop Manuel Batakian
Reverend Joseph D. Matossian
The President’s statements were truly hurtful avoidance of the use of the proper word “Genocide” to American Veterans of Armenian heritage who fought fro this country’s virtues in WWI, WWII and the Korean conflict.
Turks want to get a free ride once again and benefit from spilled American Armenian blood and sacrifices made by coming to the United States and selling our stolen goods and services without proper sacrifices to this country. Proper sacrifice by Turks is to come to grips with the Ottoman ugly past.
Makes you want to move to Iran. Even Iran recognizes the Armenian Genocide. Truly UN-AMERICAN, sad and disrespectful by this so-called president.
Beautiful message. Our people have always placed our faith in Christ and the comparison of our Lord’s resuurection and the resurrection of our people is inspiring. Our faith will always carry us through our challenges. i experiences a letdown , however, with the last line….”let us raise our voices in unison” Where is the Diocese in this joint statement?
Were they unvited to participate.? Did they elect not to? using the term unison with a major component of our church community missing just brings to mind our sinful division. if we are serious about maximizing our effectiveness and increasing our credibility with the rant and file Armenians, then we put our history aside and reconcile. it is embarassing and has no basis. Christ commanded us “To love one another as I have loved you”. How can any Christian Armenian remain indifferent to this debable?
Beautiful message. Our people have always placed our faith in Christ and the comparison of our Lord’s resuurection and the resurrection of our people is inspiring. Our faith will always carry us through our challenges. i experiences a letdown , however, with the last line….”let us raise our voices in unison” Where is the Diocese in this joint statement?
Were they unvited to participate.? Did they elect not to? using the term unison with a major component of our church community missing just brings to mind our sinful division. if we are serious about maximizing our effectiveness and increasing our credibility with the rant and file Armenians, then we put our history aside and reconcile. it is embarassing and has no basis. Christ commanded us “To love one another as I have loved you”. How can any Christian Armenian remain indifferent to this debable?