ARCHBISHOP CHOLOYAN OFFERS OPENING PRAYER FOR THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Invokes Armenian Genocide; Prays for an End to Barbarity upon God's Creatures

April 21, 2010

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. House of Representatives opened today with a prayer by His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of the Eastern United States, in which he invoked the memory of the Armenian Genocide and prayed that such barbarity never again be inflicted upon any of God’s creatures, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

Archbishop Choloyan service today as the guest chaplain of the House of Representatives came at the request of New York Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), a long-time friend and supporter of the Armenian American community. Following the opening prayer, Representative Maloney offered brief remarks of her own, praising the spiritual leadership of Archbishop Choloyan and joining with him in marking the 95th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

The full text of Archbishop Choloyan’s prayer is provided below:

Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan
Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America Eastern United States of America

Prayer delivered to open the United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC
Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Almighty God, we seek your grace and wisdom in our lives and in our leaders that they may serve your people with truth and justice.

Remember your faithful servants, the Armenian people, who for 95 Aprils have lived with the memory of the Genocide of one and a half million of their nation. We pray that such barbarity never again be inflicted upon any of your creatures.

We give thanks for the blessings that you have bestowed upon the remnant of the Armenian people who were welcomed and given new life in the United States of America. We thank you for delivering us from the depths of despair into this land of liberty.

Bless America, the country of greatness and goodness. Renew the values of our American heritage so that America will remain the country of truth, freedom, justice and peace.

We stand before you and ask this in your name and for your glory. Amen.

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