BY REV. DR. VAHAN H. TOOTIKIAN
For many decades now, Armenians worldwide have been observing the Armenian Genocide. For many this commemoration has become an annual routine and ritual, creating a heartwarming feeling. It is so easy to fall into the fallacy that in doing this ritual we have fulfilled our duty. Commemorations are good, but there is a danger that they may be debased into conventionalities.
The following are a few suggestions that will help make our Armenian Genocide commemoration not only meaningful but also conducive to a higher cause, the Armenian Cause.
First, to intently and seriously remember our martyrs and pay tribute to their sacrificial lives. We should remember the tragedy that befell our people beginning in 1915, the events that drove them out of our homeland and resulted in the senseless slaughter of one and a half million. Another million Armenians were uprooted from their ancestral homeland and driven to the deserts of Syria on journeys of no return. In addition, all their belongings and properties were confiscated. The material and cultural losses sustained by Armenians is incalculable and immeasurable. It is proper that we pause to reflect upon this painful past.
Second, to express our gratitude to God for the survival of our nation. Although we are baffled as to why such a colossal catastrophe happened to the Armenian people, and although there is no theoretical explanation to answer why evil seeks the suffering of the innocent, we have learned to face these questions with God and transform the thorns of tragedy into crowns of victory.
As a nation we have learned that although our Christian faith does not offer us immunity and exemption from evil and suffering, it offers us purpose, power and perspective to utilize our creative forces in all circumstances of life. We thank God for enabling us to have the fortitude to survive one of the worst genocides in the world and enabled us to exist as a vibrant nation both in the Republic of Armenia and in the Diaspora.
Third, to thank all nations, and missionary, humanitarian and philanthropic organizations that extended a helping hand to the survivors of the Armenian Genocide. How could we forget the friendly Arab nations that allowed Armenian refugees to settle in their countries? How can we forget the generous and magnanimous Americans, who, through their Near East Relief, raised millions of dollars to help the “starving Armenians?” How can we forget those European missionary and humanitarian organizations, from Denmark, France, Holland, Germany and Switzerland that organized fund raising drives to help the Armenians? We should thank all of these benefactors.
Fourth, to remind the world that the Armenian Genocide, as well as any other genocide, perpetrated by any nation, is a crime against all humanity. The genocide committed by the Ottoman Turks was not only a crime against Armenians, but also against all humanity and should be condemned. We condemn perpetrators of all genocides, past and present, and resolve to support all victims of man’s humanity to man.
Fifth, to support the Armenian Cause. A century and a decade have elapsed since the beginning of the 1915 Armenian Genocide, and the cry of the Armenian people for justice has not been heard. We believe that the unalienable rights of the Armenian people still remain on the agenda of unfinished business. Our rights must be kept alive and we must be committed to pursue them patiently and persistently.
Sixth, to be true to our Armenian Christian identity. Armenian history tells us that throughout centuries, our Christian and national values have given us inner strength, fortitude and stamina. Because of the inner spiritual strength of our forefathers, we have endured and survived many national catastrophes, including the Armenian Genocide of 1915. In line with this truth, we should be committed to the task of educating our new generations with Christian and Armenian principles and values. We should determine to inculcate in them the love of Christ and His Church, the love of our culture and the love of our homeland Armenia. I believe that these values are conducive to building strong Armenian communities and a strong Armenian nation.
Thus, we should consider the observance of the Armenian Genocide to be not only an occasion of commemoration but also one of rededication. We should pledge to consecrate ourselves to the sublime principles for which our martyred forefathers made their supreme sacrifice.
Rev. Dr. Vahan H. Tootikian is the Minister Emeritus of the Armenian Congregational Church of Greater Detroit and the Executive Director of the Armenian Evangelical World Council.
