Armenian Genocide Commemoration Marked with Solemn Liturgy and Prayer in London

© Saint Yeghiche Parish

London, 26 April 2026 — A solemn Divine Liturgy and commemorative service took place at St Yeghiche Armenian Church on Sunday, 26 April, marking the remembrance of the victims of the Armenian Genocide. The service was presided over by Bishop Hovakim Manukyan, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Held in the light of the Resurrection season, the commemoration coincided with the Armenian Church’s observance of Red Sunday, a day which, in Armenian ecclesiastical tradition, reflects the profound connection between Christ’s Resurrection and the witness of martyrdom. During the Divine Liturgy, the faithful gathered in prayer, offering prayers and asking the intercession of the holy martyrs of the Armenian Genocide, uniting remembrance with hope in the Risen Christ.

In his homily, Bishop Hovakim reflected on the enduring significance of sacrifice, faith, and identity, drawing upon historical memory as well as contemporary challenges faced by the Armenian people. Referencing the work of Levon Surmelian, he recalled the lived experiences of the Genocide, especially the suffering of children and families uprooted from their ancestral homeland.

Quoting Hrant Dink, the Bishop emphasised that the past remains alive in the present, shaping identity and calling for responsibility. He also invoked the theological insights of C. S. Lewis and Dietrich Bonhoeffer, noting that suffering must lead to spiritual awakening and active witness grounded in truth and courage.

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, a solemn procession of clergy and faithful proceeded to the churchyard, where a khachkar (Armenian cross-stone) stands as a memorial to the victims. Among those present were His Excellency Varuzhan Nersesyan, representatives of the Armenian diplomatic mission including military attaché Colonel Karen Muradyan, and members of the Armenian community.

Wreaths were laid at the foot of the khachkar in a gesture of reverence and remembrance. Bishop Hovakim then led a Barékhosakan Karg (Intercessory Prayer Service), once again offering prayers and asking the intercession of the holy martyrs, and invoking God’s mercy for the souls of the departed, as well as peace and healing for the world.

The commemoration concluded with a call to unity, faith, and renewed commitment to the enduring values of the Christian life, as the faithful were reminded that the ultimate hope of the Armenian people rests not only in memory, but in the living reality of the Resurrection of Christ—a light which no darkness can overcome.

Photography © Saint Yeghiche Parish