Prime Minister Harper stands with Pope Francis re. the Armenian Genocide

One of many ruined Armenian churches

A Statement from Prime Minister Harper on Day of Commemoration of Armenian Genocide

. . .  the Armenian people experienced terrible suffering and loss of life. In recent years the Senate of Canada adopted a motion acknowledging this period as “the first genocide of the twentieth century,” while the House of Commons adopted a motion that “acknowledges the Armenian genocide of 1915 and condemns this act as a crime against humanity.” My party and I supported those resolutions and continue to recognize them today.

We must never forget the lessons of history, nor should we allow the enmities of history to divide us. The freedom, democracy, and human rights enjoyed by all Canadians are rooted in our mutual respect for one another.

I join with you today in remembering the past and I encourage you to continue honouring your forefathers by building a bright future for all Canadians.

Sincerely,
The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, P.C., M.P.
Prime Minister of Canada

Visit from the Primate of the US Armenian Apostolic Church

Armenian Apostolic priests being ordained.

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As Christians around the world face persecution and death for their faith in the Prince of Peace it is important to recall the genocide 100 years ago in the same region that is generating ISIS terrorism.

Official records tell us that 23 countries now accept the authenticity of the Armenian genocide, including Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, Uruguay, Vatican City, and Venezuela.


Thirty-nine of 50 U.S. states also recognize the genocide but as yet there is no official federal recognition even though Obama spoke of the genocide before he was elected President.

Along with the USA and the U.K. other leading nations still have not spoken out strongly on this matter of history with implications for the present day.

In 2012 Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan arrived in Moscow to attend the consecration of the Cathedral of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the opening ceremony of the Cultural Cathedral Complex in Moscow.  

The Cathedral of the complex is the biggest structure of the Armenian Apostolic Church outside Armenia.The Cultural Cathedral Complex of the Russian and New Nakhijevan Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church has been built with donations of Russia-based Armenian and Russian sponsors. 

The complex of a total area of 25,000 square meters includes the Cathedral for 1,000 worshippers, a chapel, and the residence of the diocesan primate, an educational center, a museum-treasury, and an underground parking lot for 200 cars.  The land plot for construction of the complex was allotted by the Moscow government in 1996.  

The complex was designed by architect Artak Ghulyan.