Patriarchate: Emphasis on ‘shared pain’, not ‘Genocide’
According to the report of Okan Konuralp for Hürriyet newspaper, the Patriarchate of the Armenians of Turkey has prepared a draft program for the 100th anniversary of 24 April 1915, considered the beginning of the Armenian Genocide.
According to information received from the Patriarchate of the Armenians of Turkey, within the scope of the 100th anniversary commemoration, mass will be held by Deputy Patriarch Archbishop Aram Ateşyan.
Mass will begin on the morning of April 24 at the Surp Asdvadzadzin Patriarchate Church at 9.30. As Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, also declared to the public, those who lost their lives in 1915 will be commemorated as “Martyrs” at mass to be held at the Patriarchate Church.
It has been learned that in his speech at mass, Archbishop Aram Ateşyan will not use the term “Genocide” but will emphasize “shared pain”.
On the other hand, the Patriarchate of the Armenians of Turkey will not participate in the mass and bell-chiming ceremony that will be held at all Armenian churches in the world on April 23 for the victims of the Armenian Genocide.
