PRESS RELEASE
Western Prelacy
of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian
Prelate, Western United States
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
Email: [email protected]
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Mercata Group
Catholicos Aram I Calls for U.S. Recognition of the Armenian Genocide
His Holiness Says Reconciliation Cannot Begin Until There is Confession
First
(Los Angeles, CA – October 11, 2005) – His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of
the Great House of Cilicia, made a firm statement calling for proper U.S.
recognition of the Armenian Genocide during a special prayer service in
honor of the victims of the Armenian Genocide held on October 8 at the
Armenian Genocide Monument in Montebello, California. The Catholicos stated
that the United States has always stood on the side of justice and human
rights and therefore should take a principled stand by properly recognizing
the Armenian Genocide.
The special ceremony was organized as a reaffirmation of the community’s
commitment to proper genocide recognition on the occasion of the 90th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. There were several hundred members of
the community in attendance as well as many local public officials including
State Assemblyman Ron Calderon, Montebello Mayor Bill Molinari, Pico Riviera
Mayor David Armenta, Montebello Police Chief Gary Couso-Vasquez and a
representative from Montebello Congresswoman Grace Napolitano’s office.
“Reconciliation is based on forgiveness; however, there cannot be
forgiveness until there is acceptance of the truth and real confession,”
said the Pontiff during the event referring to the Turkish government’s
continuing campaign of denial and the lack of official U.S. recognition of
the genocide. “While this monument stands in memory of the martyrs of the
Armenian Genocide, it also symbolizes the struggle against evil, the quest
for justice, peace and human rights.” His Holiness also emphasized the
point that the United States should show greater leadership on this issue by
officially recognizing the genocide based on the fundamental principles of
freedom and human rights for which the country stands.
The Catholicos went on to say that the Genocide Monument in Montebello is a
living monument and should be viewed as the bell that tolls reminding the
Armenian community to continue the just struggle for the Armenian Cause and
remain loyal to the memories of the martyrs of the Armenian Genocide. The
Pontiff ended his remarks by telling the story of how on April 24 of this
year he journeyed to Der Zor to the Euphrates river where many Armenian
women and children had died during the genocide and he christened two
Armenian children and “the river that had symbolized death for the Armenian
people turned into a river of life,” he said.
After the ceremony at the Armenian Genocide monument, His Holiness traveled
to the Holy Cross Church in Montebello to meet with Armenian youth from the
Montebello community.
Catholicos Meets with Armenian Students in Glendale
On the previous day, Friday, October 7th, His Holiness held a meeting at
Glendale High School with approximately 1,000 students from the 11 Los
Angeles area Armenian schools. His Holiness stressed that students should
carry on the cultural and spiritual traditions of the Armenian people. He
also emphasized the importance of living life with high moral values and
stated that the students should serve as role models in the community.
After the Pontiff’s remarks, the program included poetry recitations, choir
ensembles and other instrumental performances by various students.
His Holiness Aram I Presides Over 1600 Anniversary of Armenian Alphabet
Celebration
On the evening of Friday, October 7th, His Holiness was present at the
Glendale Homenetmen “Ararat” Chapters special event celebrating the Armenian
alphabet. In addition to the hundreds of community members present, also
attending were Glendale Mayor Rafi Manoukian, Glendale City Councilman Frank
Quintero, Glendale Police Chief Randy Adams and Glendale School Board member
Greg Krikorian.
During the official remarks, His Holiness emphasized the importance of the
Armenian language in defining the Armenian culture and encouraged the youth
present to make the effort to learn the language as a means to living their
identity.