Armenian Genocide Victims to be Canonized on April 23, 2015

ETCHMIADZIN — The ceremony of canonization of the Armenian Genocide victims will take place on April 23, 2015 at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. The decision was made at the Bishops’ Synod convened at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin November 11-13 under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; and His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia.

The Synod also adopted a statement, in which it called on the Christian world to join the prayer on the 100th commemoration of the Armenian Genocide.

Members of the Bishops’ Synod also called on the international community to continue the efforts towards international recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide and reestablish the “just rights” of the Armenian people.

The Synod expressed concern over the ongoing conflicts in different parts of the world, namely Syria, Iraq and Ukraine, which result in numerous human losses and destructions.

The statement criticized the military actions incited by Azerbaijan at the border of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, the most recent demonstration of which was the downing of the Armenian helicopter.