The UAECNE Holds the 108th Anniversary Service of Remembrance for the Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide
The Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East (UAECNE) held a 108th anniversary service of remembrance for the martyrs of the Armenian Genocide Monday, 24 April 2023, in the Emmanuel Armenian Evangelical Church of Nor Amanos (Lebanon).
The congregation was joined by a delegation from Switzerland representing the Protestant Church of Switzerland. Also present was Mr. Mihran Shaninian, attending on behalf of the S.D. Hunchakian Party.
Rev. Jirayr Ghazarian, noting the painful reality of the day, read Psalm 88 as a collective expression of lament, and invited those present to open their hearts before God, whereupon he offered the opening prayer.
The theological students of the UAECNE took part in the service, with Mr. George al Sahili reading Psalm 32 and Miss Aline Tahazian reading Romans 5.3-11.
The choir of the Armenian Evang. Central High School enriched the service with the singing of Stepan Lusikyan’s “Armenia the Free” (Azad Hayastan). Conducting was Mrs. Shoghig Torossian and accompanying was Mrs. Hamesd Boyajian.
As well, Mr. Raffi Chilingirian brought a pensive mood to the worship service through his duduk renditions of “Sourp Sourp (Sanctus)” and “Der, Voghormya (Kyrie)”.
Rev. Hrayr Cholakian gave the message, “Blessed Are the Peacemakers”. After reading the scripture passage (II Cor. 5.12-21), he noted that we live in a world full of wars, where Armenians in particular remember not only the crime of 108 years ago, but the unjust blockade of Artsakh today. Although it is mankind’s wish to enjoy peace, but according to the Lord Jesus’ words (Matt. 5.9), God’s children are supposed to be peacemakers, and not seekers of peaceful environs. He enumerated the names of some who left safe and peaceful lands in order to relieve the suffering of the Armenian nation. The institutions they founded are around us in Lebanon and Syria as a testimony to their being God’s “angels” in those dark days…
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