Western Diocese

On April 18^th, Abp. Hovnan Derderian, accompanied by a delegation from the Western Diocese, participated in the presentation of a proclamation commemorating the 93^rd Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide from the Los Angeles City Council. The proclamation was presented by City Council President Eric Garcetti, and Councilwoman Wendy Gruel to clergy of the Western Diocese as well as community leaders on behalf of the Armenian Americans of Los Angeles.

The Primate in his remarks to the City Council said “The recognition of the first genocide by the L.A. City Council brings justice to the memory of the victims.”

The complete text of the Primate’s speech is included below:  

“All great things are simple, and many can be expressed in single words: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope.”

-          Sir Winston Churchill

These are the words of Sir Winston Churchill embody in themselves the vision of the martyrs of the Genocide of the twentieth century. They have sacrificed their lives for freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope. They knew well that the price for their vision would be the cost of their lives. However, they chose martyrdom rather than the oppression of the soul and the denial of their spiritual and moral values. Their martyrdom as the victims of the first genocide has a special message to convey not only to the children of the Armenian nation around the world, but also for all humanity.

Freedom of faith is a gift from God, which cannot be taken away from us forcefully; justice prevails only where we all render unconditional respect for all; honor is the reward only for those who fulfill the promise of life; duty is the conscience of guarding spiritual values; mercy should be reflected in action in our daily lives; and finally hope is the ultimate virtue which helps us better understand that dreams are realized beyond the horizon.

The recognition of the first genocide by the L.A. City Council brings justice to the memory of the victims. They are remembered in our prayers with dignity and with the promise that history will always honor their martyrdom for their courage, who gave their lives for freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy and hope. Though they were silenced, but never failed to cherish the dream of Armenia.

Almost a century ago the USA has embraced the orphans and the survivors of the genocide and has strengthened in us the renewed sense of commitment to pursue our noble cause: the recognition of the first genocide of the twentieth century. The will of God will be fulfilled. This blessed country has become home away from home for our children. Their commitment for America is firm and genuine and their love for their ancestral land of Armenia symbolizes the love for the people of God.

Our journey of life in this country will be a journey full of commitments, a journey of successful achievements, a journey of resurrection which will bring justice to the memory of the martyrs of the genocide.

-          Archbishop Hovnan Derderian