Church bells will ring across the world on April 23 –only not in Turkey

Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II sent a circular to all Armenian Churches at New Year, stating that a Badarak Mass would be held on April 23 to ‘elevate the sisters and sons who were martyred for their faith and homeland to Sainthood’.

Following this statement, all Armenian Churches across the world took a decision to ring their bells at 19.15 on April 23, Thursday in commemoration of the victims of the Genocide.

However, it was announced that Turkey was not taking part in the ceremony. Deputy Patriarch of the Armenians of Turkey Archbishop Aram Ateşyan, said that a ceremony would be organized on April 24, but that Istanbul would not join in the ringing of bells at 19.15 on April 23.

On the other hand, Ateşyan will hold a hokehankist service on April 22 at Armenian Churches in Istanbul for the Armenian soldiers martyred during the Dardanelles War.