A hundred years after the catastrophic events of the genocide, when it seemed that such terrible crimes remained in the past, unfortunately, Artsakh was depopulated with new genocidal acts.

It was said in the address of the Catholicos of All Armenians.

“Dear pious people,

Today, in Armenia and the Diaspora communities, we commemorate the memory of our holy martyrs of the Armenian Genocide carried out in the Ottoman Empire, who became immortal, keeping their love for Christ and their country unquenchable in their souls.

April 24 symbolically sums up the collective suffering of our people, in which are concentrated the memories of one and a half million martyred Armenians, patriots, children of our exiled nation, our monasteries and churches subjected to cultural persecution, destroyed settlements. That tragedy, however, did not break the spirit of our nation. Our people survived the genocide, sprouted a new life everywhere, reaffirmed the independent Armenian statehood.

April 24 is a day of commitment, intertwined with the demand of our people worldwide, which is free from enmity and hatred, aimed at the restoration of justice and truth and the exclusion of denying the scourge of genocide.

A hundred years after the catastrophic events of the genocide, when it seemed that such terrible crimes remained in the past, unfortunately, Artsakh was depopulated by new genocidal acts, more than 120,000 Artsakh residents were forcibly displaced. In response to this difficult situation and existing threats, the sacrifice of our martyrs obliges us to strengthen our unity and solidarity and strengthen the Armenian state. Indeed, it is with national unity that we will be able to achieve the efforts for the universal recognition of the Armenian Genocide and to bring to fruition the steps and initiatives for the sake of national progress and a peaceful and safe life.

Let us pray and ask that through the intercession of our martyred saints, the heavenly graces of peace and the mercy and love of our Lord Jesus Christ will be distributed to the whole world, our homeland and people today and always. Amen.”

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