Global Ministries

Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ

April 24, 2015

To our Armenian partners, members, and friends,
Grace and peace to you in the name of our risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! It is with humility and
solidarity that we write to you this day, a day that holds dark memories for Armenians worldwide. For,
100 years ago today, some 250 leading members of the Armenian community in Constantinople were
arrested, a real and harrowing beginning of the near elimination of the Armenian population of Anatolia,
deportations that can only be described as genocide, which resulted in the death of one and a half
million Armenians, Syrian Orthodox, and others, and the forced expulsion of another million over the
next few years, many of whom resettled in Aleppo, Syria.
Humbly, we offer our word of remembrance this day. Our own mission history richly intersects with the
Armenian community of Anatolia in very direct ways, going back to the beginning of our mission
presence in the Middle East, almost 200 years ago, in the early 19th century. We know that is but a short
time in the proud history of Armenian Christianity, which spans more than 17 centuries, yet we are proud
of the relationships that endure. Missionaries of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign
Missions, an antecedent of our contemporary mission board, were present and enjoyed close relationships
with Armenians for decades before the massacres of 1915 and following. Such ties compelled missionary
advocacy for the end of the atrocities, and assistance for those who managed to survive. In a small way,
we share that history with you.
A centennial later, we lament that the Armenians of Syria, along with the broader population of that
country, suffer a horrible humanitarian disaster, in the context of the four-year-old Syrian crisis and war.
We pray for all those who suffer, and who face much uncertainty about their future, as the Armenians of
Anatolia one hundred years ago.
Today, known as Armenian Martyrs Day, we offer you our continued friendship and commitmentto
further nurture our relationships and to stand in solidarity as you seek recognition of this historic tragedy
in the halls of government. We are proud of our connections with you and lift up your communitys rich
history. We celebrate that our churches include, and are led by, Armenian-Americans. And we are
grateful for your many expressions of Christian witness and presence in Armenia, the Middle East,
Europe, North America and beyond.
It is said that, before commencing the Holocaust, Hitler asked, Who remembers the Armenians? We
write simply to say that we remember. And we stand against all such violence perpetrated against any
group of people for any aspect of their identity. We beg Gods mercy, and pray fervently for an end of
such injustice. Hear our prayer, O God!
In Christ,
Rev. Geoffrey Black
General Minister and President
United Church of Christ

Rev. Sharon Watkins

General Minister and President
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Rev. Dr. James Moos, Executive Minister

Wider Church Ministries, UCC
Co-Executive, Global Ministries

Rev. Julia Brown Karimu, President

Division of Overseas Ministries, Disciples
Co-Executive, Global Ministries

United Church of Christ

700 Prospect Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44115-1100
866-822-8224

Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

P.O. Box 1986
Indianapolis, IN 46206-1986
317-713-2575