WEEK DEDICATED TO 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF ADANA MASSACRES STARTS IN ANTELIAS
Noyan Tapan
Oct 29, 2009
ANTELIAS, OCTOBER 29, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The Week dedicated
to the 100th anniversary of the Adana massacres started under the
high patronage of the Catholicos of Cilicia Aram I at Mayaravank in
Antelias on October 28.
The press service of the Catholicosate reports that His Holiness Aram
I performed the opening of a newly-carved khachkar on the occasion
of the 100th anniversary of the Adana massacres. Representatives of
the Armenian Catholic Church and the Armenian Evangelical Church,
statesmen and political figures, members of the community were present
at the opening ceremony. The priests held a requiem service.
Following the opening ceremony, an exhibition of photos on the Adana
massacres opened at the Gulbenkian Hall of the Cilicia Museum. On
display are about 60 photos from the Catholicosate of Cilicia,
Armenia’s Genocide Museum and other archives.
During the exhibition opening, Catholicos Aram I called for
breaking the barriers of religious differences. Speaking about the
Adana massacres as the preparation for the 1915 Genocide, he stated
that the past 100 years and the coming 100 years are no obstacle to
achieving justice. Aram I cited some data and figures to show damage
caused to the Armenains of Adana: 30,000 victims, widows and orphans,
burnt churches and schools, destroyed houses and farms. "We demand
compensation from Turkey – for the human and material losses caused
by the Adana massacres," he said in conclusion.
A conference dedicated to the Adana massacres started early October
29, with the participation of experts from various countries.