Washington, D.C., Service April 18 Commemorates
89th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide

April 18, 2004, WASHINGTON, D.C. -- At Washington National Cathedral April 18, the "Service of the Repose of Souls" commemorated the 89th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. 

In his homily, NCC General Secretary Robert Edgar said, “It is important for us to remember what happened in 1915 to Armenians, what happened 10 years ago to Rwandans and what will inevitably happen over and over again if we do not speak out against injustice wherever it might be found.” 

He asked urgent attention to the Sudan, where a campaign of ethnic slaughter and deportation already has left nearly a million Africans displaced and more than 30,000 dead.

Baltimore Archbishop William Keeler noted the common history of Catholics and Armenians, who came to America in search of religious freedom. “[We] continue to look for partnerships in bearing witness to Christ…and enhancing the role religion and faith have in shaping public policy,” he said. 

The service was organized by Bishop Vicken Aykazian, ecumenical officer for the Armenian Church of America, an NCC member church.  It was held in conjunction with the Armenian Assembly of America’s National Conference and Banquet and in cooperation with the Armenian General Benevolent Union and the Eastern and Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of America.

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