April 24 Observance in Baghdad

For the memory of 1.5 million Armenian victims who were massacred and deported during World War I by the Ottoman Turk government, His Eminence Archbishop Avak Asadourian, the Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Iraq celebrated Holy Liturgy at St. Gregory Illuminator Cathedral in Baghdad on April 27, 2012.

Participating in the Divine Liturgy were His Grace Archbishop Georgio Lingwa, the Papal Nuncio; His Excellency Mr. Murad Muradian, the Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia; the Minister of Christian Endowment; members of the Diocesan Council, priests and Armenian Associations in Baghdad and large number of Armenian believers. Deacons and “Zvatonts” Choir, conducted by Mr. Nubar Pshdegian with the organist Mrs. Shaghig Vartanian, participated in the Divine Liturgy as well.

At the end of the Badarak requiem service was conducted for the repose of the souls of the Armenian Martyrs of the Genocide perpetrated in 1915-1923 by the Ottoman Empire. Then a special program took place which contained national songs and poems.

Avak Serpazan delivered his message whose title was “We Became Golden Durable People” which was specially addressed to our young ladies and gentlemen. The biblical verse was borrowed from the First Letter of St. Peter (1:7)  which implies that as gold is purified by fire, so also the pain and suffering that  we underwent brought luster to our lives, and we became courages believers, strong patriots,  perpetual and resilient people, who through the centuries never denied their nationality, religion, our Mother Church and fatherland in spite of the high  sacrifices Armenians had to pay.

At the conclusion of the program, His Eminence accompanied by the attending faithful people visited the Cross-stone Monument erected at the portico of the Cathedral and there they placed wreaths together with Priests and Central Committee members.

     The celebration ended with the singing of the National Anthem “Mer Hayrenik”, by the Armenian Scouts.    

Information Center

Armenian Diocese of Iraq   

https://picasaweb.google.com/112068009871610559945/April242012