Invocation
delivered by
Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate
Armenian Apostolic Church of America (Eastern Prelacy)
93rd Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide
Times Square, New York City
Sunday, April 27, 2008
No nation can remain the same after it has endured the terror
and suffering of genocide. Memories open the deep wounds that
have rooted in the collective memory of a nation. The wounds
can heal only through the contrite repentance of the perpetrator
who is willing to make amends to heal the grievous wounds
left on the victim nation.
Ninety-three
year ago the Armenian people went through the cruel experience
of genocide. Our nation lost one and a half million innocent
men, women and children. Beyond the human toil, we lost our
mother soil, which we defended with our blood and cultivated
with our sweat for nearly three millennia.
For ninety-three
years we remembered the Genocide, and the wounds became deeper
because the perpetrator denied—and still continues to
deny—the dastardly deed. Thus, the denial of genocide
for 93 years became a continuing genocide for the Armenian
nation. Furthermore, the denial of genocide encourages other
genocides, as we have seen time and again since 1915, and
to this very day.
Ninety-three
years is more than a lifetime. But memory outlasts human life
because it becomes a part of history. And it is that struggle
against forgetting evil that will ultimately deter the use
of such evil power against another people at another time
and place.
Many of
the survivors entered the United States and became faithful
and participating citizens. They came filled with the hope
and promise of America, not so much for themselves, but for
their children and their children’s children. Their
hope resulted not only in economic rewards, but a flourishing
of cultural activity. Thus, it can be said that the Armenians,
having survived death, moved into the light of resurrection
and have been contributing their share as a people to the
cultural treasure chest of civilization.
The hope
planted by the survivors continues to sustain us. We know,
as they did, that without hope there can be no meaningful
life or progress. It is with this hope that we expect our
leaders at all levels to have the courage to recognize genocide
and act to bring it to an end.
Like the
psalmist, we sing praises to the Lord with thanksgiving. We
know that a night time of suffering will be following by a
morning of joy. *
Almighty
God, we are gathered here at the crossroads of the world to
remember and honor the memory of the victims of genocide.
We thank you for your deliverance and for the bountiful blessings
we enjoy through your goodness.
Bless
this gathering and all in attendance. Spread your special
grace and protection on the few remaining survivors of the
Armenian genocide, some of whom are here today. Strengthen
our resolve to follow your teachings. Make us instruments
of your love and fill us with your strength and hope that
all of your children will live in freedom with justice and
righteousness.
In the
name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit…..
*Psalm
30
