Mother See's Statement on Pashinyan's Remarks About the Armenian Genocide

In 1921, by the decree of Catholicos Gevorg VI Surenyan, April 24 was designated as a day of commemoration for the victims of the Armenian Genocide. This is highlighted in a statement from the Mother See, which addresses Prime Minister Pashinyan's remarks during a meeting with the Armenian community in Switzerland on January 24, where he emphasized the need to understand what transpired during the Armenian Genocide, why and how we have perceived it, and how it has been on our agenda since 1950.

“The Armenian Genocide memorial complex constructed at Tsitsernakaberd with special government decree and care for the 50th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, along with various memorial monuments erected around the world, are a universal expression of the national, state, and ecclesiastical will and determination in condemning the genocide. On this sacred day, our people everywhere bring their prayers and reverence before these memorials.

In 2015, under the auspices of His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, and His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, a canonization ceremony was held for Armenian martyrs who perished ‘for the faith and for the homeland,’ which itself stands as a poignant testament to the stance of the Armenian Church. The Armenian Genocide is a crime not only against our people but against all humanity. It is imperative that the Armenian Genocide be universally recognized and condemned to prevent similar genocides from occurring worldwide,” the statement reads.