Hundreds Attend Prayer Vigil At Los Angeles City Hall

On April 12, 2016, clergy, civic officials, community leaders and hundreds of faithful took part in a prayer vigil service at the steps of Los Angeles City Hall. The massive event aimed at demonstrating solidarity with the soldiers and the civilians who fell victim to the Azeri military aggression was organized by the Artsakh-NKR Community Task Force.

His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian attended the event accompanied by Archpriest Fr. Manoug Markarian, Archpriest Fr. Mampre Kesabyan, Rev. Fr. Haroutioun Tachejian, Rev. Fr. Khajag Shahbazyan and Rev. Fr. Nerses Hayrapetyan, 

Below we present the Primate’s speech in its entirety.

At the closure of tonight’s prayer, I invite you all to pay tribute and homage to the victims of the recent acts of aggression committed by Azerbaijan’s military against ethnic Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh and reports of civilians being targeted including school children and the elderly shocked the world community, for those of us who have witnessed these shameful acts via social media have been shattered at the sheer horror which transpired.

The world is engaged in a political game. The superpowers of the world fail to respect and defend historical truths. On the other hand, Israel, has equipped militarily and continues to arm Azerbaijan in arms deals worth billions. Such deals include the sale of Drones, anti-aircraft, and missile defense systems. The voices of the victims of the Holocaust cry out this injustice by the Israeli government. As a peace loving and history respecting nation, we will forever continue to honor and pay homage to the memory of the 6 million Jewish people who perished during the Holocaust. However, we will also continue to demand the recognition of not only the first genocide of the 20^th century but equally the self-determination of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic – of Artsakh.

The massive scale attack on the military bases of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic as well as Armenia’s bordering villages have claimed the lives of tens of soldiers and civilians, leaving hundreds more injured. The premediated military attacks on Nagorno Karabakh have been targeted on what is historically Armenian land.

We have gathered here tonight at the initiative of the Artsakh-NKR Task Force as the unified voice of a Christian people. We are here to echo the unheard cries of the fallen soldiers and innocent civilians who perished as a result of Azerbaijan’s ruthless military attacks. As a peace-loving nation, we gather here tonight to pray for world peace, for peace in our Motherland, for the departed souls of our soldiers who have sacrificed their lives for their Christian Faith as well as for the defense of the Nagorno Karabakh Repbulic and the Republic of Armenia. We are also here to inform the world of an injustice.

On April 10, in accordance with the arrangements made between the two parties, the State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing Persons of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, through the mediation of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Office of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman in Office, carried out the exchange of bodies of the deceased between the Nagorno Karabakh Republic and Azerbaijan near the Bash Kervend settlement.

The bodies of 18 servicemen of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic’s Defense Army, fallen as a result of the massive military aggression unleashed by Azerbaijan between April 2-5, were transferred during the exchange.

At the time of the exchange, it was registered that all bodies of the deceased transferred by the Azerbaijani side had signs of torture and mutilation.

Those acts are a flagrant manifestation of inhumanity. They run in direct contradiction of war and are in direct violation of protocols and articles of the Geneva Convention.

These acts of savagery clearly demonstrate the utter disrespect and disregard of human life.

God’s divine peace can be secured with faith in the Almighty and respect for human life regardless of religion or ethnicity.

Tonight we echo the most inspiring words of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land!”

The people of Artsakh will not be oppressed! Artsakh will be sovereign and free!