Holy martyrs of the Armenian genocide

By REV. STEPANOS DOUDOUKJIAN- | Comments: 0 | Leave a comment

(Editor's note: A recent Catholic News Service story noted that the government of Turkey objects to the use of the term "genocide" in referring to the deaths of approximately 1.5 million Armenians during World War I during their forced evacuation by Ottoman Turks in 1915-18: "Turkey says the deaths were due largely to disease and famine during the 'relocation process,' and that both sides suffered many casualties during the war." However, in commemorating the 100th anniversary of the deaths in April, Pope Francis called it "the Armenian genocide.")

This April, I find myself overflowing with national pride for being Armenian! I am filled with powerful, diverse emotions. On April 23, the canonization service for new saints in the Armenian Church brought me to tears on many occasions. Tears of pain are now replaced with tears of joy.

April marked the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide. Our martyrs of the genocide had to endure a living hell; now, as saints, they inherit God's paradise.

Sadness and sorrow have always filled April 24, but the holy martyrs of the Armenian genocide of 1915 bring a new sense of life, renewal and peace on this day. The 1.5 million souls, departed and scattered, now have become a battalion of God's army.

Many felt defeated and downhearted, even in their unfathomable deaths, but today the 1.5 million saints are "souls victorious." The angel of death greeted our forefathers, but the Holy Spirit welcomed them.

During their canonization ceremony, a dove descended on an icon of the martyrs. The hymn "Holy, Holy" was sung in an angelic voice that pierced the souls of those listening. The ringing of bells in churches throughout the world seemed like a grand entry into His kingdom.

April 23, 2015, will be a day etched into every fiber of who I am, because the saints are in me, as well.

Even with the sanctification of new saints, the desire for recognition, justice and acknowledgement of the Armenian genocide by the government of Turkey still weighs on my mind and heart. "Why not?" I think to myself. "We deserve it, and our great-grandparents deserve it."

Thoughts of the genocide bring me to the bloodied prison cell where Rev. Nerces Nercesian prayed and suffered until his torturous death in 1915.

My son and daughter also deserve recognition of the genocide. Their great-great-grandfather was Father Nercesian; their great-great-grandmother, Alpesa, and her two baby nieces died a death worse than an animal's passing.

I send a very special thank you to the Holy Father for not remaining silent! Pope Francis recognized the Armenian genocide as the first genocide of the 20th century during his Mass on April 12 honoring the martyrs.

Perhaps a change is coming -- but, until then, many voices are shouting from the top of their lungs and from the caskets below, from the corners of earth and of the heavens above. I am one of those voices.

As a parent, the greatest lesson I can teach my children is to say, "I'm sorry." I try to teach by example: When I have wronged, I apologize. Perhaps Turkey should be like a parent and lead by example.

For now, the two sides of my emotions rest in divergent harmony: in peace, at peace and still waiting for peace. But a new Armenia has been created within me, and I thank God for that.

(Father Doudoukjian is the parish priest at St. Peter's Armenian Church in Watervliet.)[[In-content Ad]]