The martyrs of the Armenian Genocide were commemorated once again by the San Felipe Neri Church of Valencia under the patronage of Ararat Armenian Association. At the request of the Holy Father, Padre August, the mass was held according to the protocol of the Armenian Apostolic Church under the direction of General Vicar of the Diocese of Spain and Portugal, Father, Supreme Archimandrite Sasun Zmrukhtyan, who presented the Catholic Church a relic of the Apostolic Church that was also baptized according to the Armenian ritual, Ararat Armenian Association reports to Hayern Aysor from Valencia.

Among those attending the mass were over 100 Armenians, the Spanish and foreigners. The mass was an unprecedented, interesting and a very faithful mass especially for the Spanish since, according to them, it was an honor for them to attend the mass of the world’s first Christian nation. During this unprecedented ceremony, Father Sasun Zmrukhtyan, whose Spanish translator was Ararat Ghukasyan, mentioned that all Christians are now happy because “the Pope had the courage to tell the truth and called the Armenian massacres the first genocide of the 20^th century.” “Until now and always, following the Pope’s example, we will always say that we remember and demand because by telling the truth, we prefer the kingdom of God,” the archimandrite added.

During the mass, the 1.5 million martyrs of the Armenian Genocide were sanctified once again. “We now have 1.5 million saints in the heavens above,” Father Sasun Zmrukhtyan added.

After the Christian ritual, candles were lit and incense was burned in memory of the canonized Armenian martyrs. The candles and incense had also been brought from churches of Armenia, and this sparked more interest among the Spanish. The latter not only paid their tribute to the holy martyrs, but also preferred to keep the remains of the Armenian church as mementos.

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