of the Armenian Genocide
-In 1972 the United States of America legalized abortion which led to the destruction of the same amount of its unborn children every year. Most today ignore their plight as well.
-What is the Orthodox Christian understanding of, and response to such gross injustices and attrocities against human life? This page seeks to explore this question. For the true Christian there is only one answer: we must support and defend the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death.
-If slavery were still legal in the US, would you vote for a politician who supports its legality?
-If the US like Turkey was conducting a campaign of genocide to murder millions of innocent Armenians, would you vote for politician who supported this policity?
-Most Armenians would not. Yet many Armenians in the US vote for pro-abortion politicians who support and defend the legality of the killing of millions of innocent, pre-born human beings every year.
-One cannot be both against genocide and for abortion, just as one cannot be Christian and "pro-choice."
For some time I've been searching for the answer to a heart-felt question: What is the CHRISTIAN understanding and approach to the commemoration of the Armenian Genocide? It was obvious enough to me that the yearly memorials, with all of their angered calls for "justice," were seriously devoid of an Orthodox Christian perspective. Athiests and modern day pagans could have identical memorials. Where was Christ and His message in such commemorations? For instance, when we remember liturgically the Holy Innocents of Bethlehem, we do not couple this with demands for justice. Nor do we call on the Israeli government to admit its ancestor's injustice through King Herod.
I found my answer in the book "Faith, Church, Mission," by Dr. Vigen Guroian in his article
"How Shall We Remember?" I thank God for helping Dr. Guroian to be able to address this for our people. His message needs to be disseminated as much as possible. Until our people hear and understand this message, they will never begin to allow Christ to heal them of their own collective, perpetual despair.
The Orthodox Christian answer to human suffering, as Dr. Guroian writes,
is Jesus Christ.
Our suffering and death only find meaning in His Passion and Crucifixion for us. Our hope for deliveracne derives only from His Resurrection
which He promised to grant to His faithful.
the Crucifixion of our Lord
...We suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. -Rom. 8:18
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. -Phil. 1:21
...That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and may share His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death,
that if possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. -Phil. 3:10-11
For one is approved if, mindful of God, he endures pain while suffering unjustly. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps. He committed no sin; no guile was found on His lips. When He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten; but He trusted Him who judges justly. He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree,
that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed. -1 St. Peter 2:19-24
1. How Shall We Remember? The moving essay by Dr. Guroian regarding our genocide commemorations
2. My Letter to Dr. Guroian regarding the need and importance of his essay in our Church today
3. Common Declaration on the Armenian Martyrs and Confessors By Pope John Paul II and Catholicos Karekin II
4. Historic Vatican Plea on behalf of Armenians the history of the Latin Church's support for Armenians
5. Prayer of Pope John Paul II for the victims of the Armenian Genocide
6. In Memory Of The 50 Million Victims Of The Orthodox Christian Holocaust
1. A Case Study A presentation of the history behind the Armenian Genocide
2. Ambassador Morganthoau's Story The account by the American Ambassador to Turkey
3. ABC News Special with startling photos by a German Soldier in Turkey
4. Cilicia.com Genocide Page Excellent resource for background information
5. Despite promises ...and acknowledgements U.S. Presidents have failed to officially recognize Genocide
1. The Slaughterhouse Province by Leslie A. Davis The eyewitness account of an American Consulate in Turkey who witnessed the attrocities and risked his life trying to stop them. This book greatly impacted me.
2. Ambassador Morgenthau's Story by Henry Morgenthau "His account was written with the authority of a first hand observer and remains one of the classic accounts of World War I."
3. Several further suggestions on material covering the Armenian Genocide