PRAYER VIGIL SERVICE: Commemorating the 110th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
On Sunday 13 April 2025 3:00 pm, at the St. Stephen’s Uniting Church in Sydney, we remembered. And we stood together!
Members of the Uniting Church in Australia gathered at St. Stephen’s Uniting Church in Sydney for a powerful sombre vigil marking the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and the 10th anniversary of the Uniting Church’s national recognition of this historic injustice.
Hosted by the National Assembly in partnership with the Armenian Missionary Association of Australia, the service brought together ecumenical leaders, members of the Armenian and Middle Eastern communities, and people of faith from across the Uniting Church.
UCA President Rev. Charissa Suli preached a moving and prophetic sermon, reminding us that “even when the world is silent, the stones will shout” (Luke 19:40), and calling us to be a people of truth, justice, and memory.
We offer heartfelt thanks to Rev. Ken Day, Minister at St. Stephen’s, for his generous hosting; the Beverly Hills Uniting Church Brass Band and Mark Woodward for their beautiful music; and to all who led and served.
The Prayer Vigil Service program included prayers, hymns, Scripture Readings, brief messages, lighting of 10 candles, Silent reflections, Armenian chants “Der Voghormia” (Lord have Mercy) and “Hyre Mer” 9The Lord’s Prayer) both sang in Armenia. The Vigil was concluded by a Closing Prayer by Rev. Dr. Krikor Youmshajekian and the blessing was given by the UCA President Chariss Suli.
Special thanks to our ecumenical and community partners, including:
Rev. Dr. Krikor Youmshajekian UCA Minister and President/CEO of the AMAA, Elizabeth Stone General Secretary of the NCCA; Michael Kolokossian, Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee; Rev. Dr. Gaby Kobrossi, Minister of Bankstown Uniting Church; Deacon Nishan Basmajian, Chancellor of the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church; the Salvation Army and NSW Ecumenical Council, Rev. Stu Cameron, CEO and Superintendent of Wesley Mission and all the Armenian clergy.
We give thanks for all who gathered in faith and solidarity to mark this solemn occasion — and to renew our shared commitment to truth-telling, peace, and reconciliation.
May we continue in prayer for the people of Armenia, for Armenian communities within the UCA and around the world, and for all nations and peoples still facing the threat of genocide, displacement and violence today.
The offered Closing Prayer was:
Prayer for the Armenian Genocide
Eternal and Compassionate God,
We come before You today with heavy hearts, remembering the souls of the innocent who perished in the Armenian Genocide. Men, women, and children—Lives cut short by violence; hearts stilled by hatred.
Lord, in Your mercy, grant rest to those who died, and comfort to the generations who carry their memory. May their pain not be forgotten but transformed into a deep and enduring call for justice, for peace, and for the protection of all people.
We lift up the Armenian people— Those who still bear the wounds of history—and we pray for healing, unity, and strength. Let their story be a beacon of resilience, a witness to the power of faith, and a reminder that love and truth must always prevail.
Guide us, O God, that we may never turn away from suffering, never grow silent in the face of injustice, and always walk humbly as peacemakers in this world.
In Your holy name we pray, Amen!
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