Beirut, Lebanon

Under the patronage of the Armenian Catholic Patriarchate, with the participation of the Armenian Catholic parishes, associations and schools, on Thursday the 24 of April 2008 at 5:00 pm, Solemn Mass was held   for the victims of the Armenian Genocide in St. Gregoire (Jamhour) school’s courtyard.

His Beatitude Nerses Bedros XIX catholicos Patriarch of Cilicia of Armenian Catholics celebrated the Divine Liturgy after which the Patriarchal Vicar of the Partriarchal Clergy Institute of Bzommar Rev. Father Michael Mouradian gave his message on the 93rd Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

Father Mouradian described the Genocide as wound that remains unhealed and every year the same day the wound opens and bleeds.

He talked about the many American and German that witnessed the massacres but yet remained indifferent and unconcerned about the stern fate of the Armenians that had been planned by the Turks many years before.

The Rev. Father called the Armenians to come out of their inner struggles to stay divided because it weakens our unity and strength, and leads us to ruin and destruction.

At the end of his speech, father Mouradian told that the murder of Hrant Dink is a proof that the Turk has not changed his policy in the 21st century and still teaches and educates his young generations the same way, emphasizing that only with our faith we will be able to prove to the Turks that Armenian will always remain and prosper.

The ceremony was attended by MP Hagop Pakradounian, the ambassador of Armenian in Lebanon Vahan Der-ghevontian, the representative of A.R.F. Central Committee Dr, Hovig Tsalakian , the representative of the Free Patriotic Movement Michel Deshadarevian, the representative of “Boghosian” Fund Patrick Farajian, the representative of the Armenian Catholics in the Lebanese Christian Union Abboud Boghos and many other representatives of associations, clergymen, sisters of the Immaculate Conception, students and a big crowd.

After the mass, the marching band of H.M.E.M accompanied the procession to the Armenian Catholic Patriarchate where memorial service was held in front of the monument dedicated to the Genocide and where the different associations placed flowers to pay homage to the victims.