INVOCATIONBy His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan
Prelate, Armenian Apostolic Church of America (Eastern Prelacy)
Gathering at Times Square, New York City
96th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide
Sunday, May 1, 2011
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Almighty God, we stand before you today at this crossroads of the world seeking your divine guidance, as we commemorate the 96th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. We give thanks that such a blessed land as this exists where the spiritual, religious, moral, cultural, and societal values of our people may be maintained and instilled in our new and upcoming generations.
Because of our history, especially the traumatic genocide that began in 1915 perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire, we have a deep love and respect for liberty, for freedom of conscience, for freedom of speech, for freedom of assembly, and all the rights and privileges of a free people.
Yet, we confess to You that a part of us is still in bondage. The Gospel of our Lord says, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” We stand before You today as the sons and daughters of Armenia, not with demands, but in the pursuit of that truth and justice that will truly make us free. Truth and justice are two inseparable ideals that all people are entitled to. Without truth and justice there can never be peace and harmony in the world. History must be written and acknowledged truthfully, because truth heals, truth redeems, truth restores hope, and leads to justice.
The people of a nation can survive, and grow, and prosper, but the wound of genocide never heals. Only the contrite repentance of the perpetrator who is willing to make amends can lessen to a small degree the grievous wound left on the body of the victim nation.
New generations of Armenians have stood by their obligation not only by remembering the past and honoring the martyrs, but also by dedicating themselves to the pursuit of justice for their Armenian nation. This is a promise we made to our survivor generation. This is a promise we will honor.
Merciful Lord, as we approach the 100th anniversary of the Genocide, we rededicate ourselves to continue the struggle for truth and justice for all of Your children. We humbly ask You to fill the darkness of our hearts with the Light of Christ and give us the gift of hope that will strengthen us to carry out Your holy and true commandments.
We are Your faithful servants. Bless this gathering, especially the few remaining survivors, and the organizers of this commemoration. Give us the vision that will help us toil for righteousness, because the words of President John F. Kennedy echo in our hearts and call us to action, “Let us go forth, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God’s work must truly be our own.”
We profess our faith with heart and soul, in word and deed, in Your glory forever. Amen.
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