Genocide monument unveiled in South Australia

May 25, 2012 - 15:03 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - For the first time in history, on May 20, 2012 in Adelaide, South Australia, descendants of the original Christian inhabitants who survived the Turkish Ottoman Empire’s genocide united for justice and recognition.

As Elena Harrison, President of the Armenian Cultural Association of South Australia Inc., the small but vibrant Armenian, Pontian-Greek and Assyrian Universal Alliance communities unveiled a monument in recognition of the 1,500,000 Armenians, 800,000 Greeks of Asia Minor, 500,000 Pontian Greeks and 800,000 Assyrians, all Christians, who were massacred or deported from their ancestral lands through a series of genocides by the Ottoman Turks, between 1915 and 1923.

The commemoration started from 10am at St. Dimitrios Greek Orthodox Church of Salisbury, where His Grace, Bishop Nikandros of Doryleon and Reverend Fathers Christos Tsoraklidis and Silouan Fotineas officiated at a divine liturgy service.

The church was filled not only with members of the local Armenian, Pontian Greek and Assyrian communities, but also by many distinguished guests and members of the parliament, including Dr Joseph Masika, representing the Lieutenant Governor of South Australia, Hieu Van Le, the Honourable Jack Snelling MP, Treasurer of South Australia, the Honourable Jennifer Rankine MP, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, the Honourable Tom Koutsantonis MP, Minister for Manufacturing, Innovation and Trade, Ms Isobel Redmond MP, Leader of the Opposition, and many others.

After the Church Service everyone made their way to the Mausoleum of the Holy Family for the formal program.

Representatives of the Armenian, Pontian Greek and Assyrian communities gave appropriate readings from the Bible.

After the formalities the company present made its way to the site of the monument where the Australian, Greek, Armenian and Assyrian Anthems were played.

The Hon Jack Snelling, together with Anna Volis, Elena Harrison and Paul Azzo unveiled the monument, where distinguished guests and members of the communities laid wreaths and flowers.