Address by the CCA General Secretary on the occasion marking the centenary of the 1915 Armenian Genocide, organised by the Holy See of Cilicia, Lebanon
The Armenian Genocide, otherwise known as the Armenian Holocaust, the Armenian Massacre, and traditionally by Armenians as Medz Yeghern (Great Crime), was the Ottoman government’s systematic extermination of its minority Armenian subjects inside their historic homeland. The total number of people killed as a result has been estimated at between 800,000 to 1.5 million. The starting date is conventionally held to be 24 April 1915, the day Ottoman authorities rounded up, arrested, and subsequently executed, some 250 Armenian intellectuals and community leaders in Constantinople.
The centenary of the genocide was marked by a historic and unique event organised by the Armenian Apostolic Church of the Holy See of Cilicia, on 18 July 2015 at Beirut, Lebanon, to commemorate the martyrs of the Armenian genocide. Dr Mathews George Chunakara represented CCA on this solemn and historic occasion. Please see the message delivered by him:
Address by the General Secretary of the Christian Conference of Asia on the occasion marking the centenary of the 1915 Armenian Genocide, organised by the Holy See of Cilicia, Lebanon on 18 July 2015
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, ecclesiastical and ecumenical leaders from around the globe, distinguished guests and friends—
It is a great honor and privilege for me to participate in this historic and unique event of remembering the martyrs of the Armenian genocide organised by the Armenian Apostolic Church of the Holy See of Cilicia. I bring you greetings on behalf of the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA), which covers a vast geographical region, starting from Iran in West Asia to Japan in East Asia; from Nepal in the North of Asia to New Zealand in the South.
In several of CCA’s member countries, the Armenian Diaspora has existed for several centuries, of course with their Christian faith and churches. This clearly shows that the presence of Armenians in various Asian countries has not been the result of their plight due to the Armenian genocide, but that they have been living in Asia for several centuries. The presence of Armenians in Asian countries has been evident in several places in Asia, for example, in several major cities in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Burma, Afghanistan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, and China. Some of the reminders of the centuries-old Armenian presence in Asia and the bygone era are still evident. There are even streets named after Armenia in certain Asian cities—Armenian street in Singapore, Madras and Kolkata in India; centuries-old historic Armenian church buildings in Madras, Kolkata, Dhaka, Rangoon, and Singapore. The best-known Armenian institution in India is the Armenian College and Philanthropic Academy established in the 18th century in Kolkata. These are significant legacies by the Armenians in South and South East Asia. As we know, Armenians have a strong presence and roots especially in the West Asian countries.
The participation of the Armenian Church in CCA is more actively taking place now through the Armenian Church in Iran, of the Holy See of Cilicia. Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian, the primate of the Armenian Church in Iran is in the current leadership of CCA and has been serving as a valued member in the General Committee and Executive Committee of CCA. The relationship between the Holy See of Cilicia and CCA existed even before the Armenian churches from Iran or Australia became members of CCA. I remember the visit of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I to CCA headquarters in 1997 and also the subsequent visits of His Holiness to CCA member churches and councils in Hong Kong, South Korea and Japan.
As you know, the Asian Churches and the Asian ecumenical movement have been part of various expressions of the global ecumenical solidarity with the Armenian people all over the world. The most recent of such expressions was during the 14th General Assembly of CCA, which was held in Jakarta, Indonesia in May this year. The participants of the Assembly paid homage to the martyrs of the Armenian genocide and prayed for the departed souls during a session of the CCA Assembly. A statement on the Centenary of the Armenian genocide also was adopted by the Assembly.
As a representative of the CCA and the Asian ecumenical movement at this historic and unique event, I convey to you the message that Asian churches and the Asian ecumenical movement will continue to be in solidarity with all Armenians around the world who still bear the pain of the brutality experienced by their ancestors. As you continue your struggle for reclaiming justice, human rights and your lost dignity, we will accompany you in your ongoing struggle and continue to uphold you in our prayers.
May God Almighty’s divine blessings continue to be with all Armenians.
Mathews George Chunakara
General Secretary, CCA
18 July 2015
