On April 22 , in the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians offered a Vigil Service, in preparation for the Canonization of the martyrs of the Armenian Genocide.
Participating in the service are the Armenian clergy, and the leaders and official delegations of the Christian Churches in Armenia for the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, according to the Armenianchurch.org. On April 23 , Divine Liturgy will be celebrated in the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin. On the same day, 17:15, at the St. Trdat Open Air Altar at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the Canonization Service for the Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide will be offered.
Genocide of Armenians was recognized by over 20 countries and the CoE, European Parliament, the UN Subcommittee to prevent discrimination and protect minorities, the UN Committee for Military Crimes, the World Church Council.
Earlier, on April 12 during a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica Pope Francis said that the annihilation of 1.5, mln Armenians in Ottoman Empire was the first Genocide of the XX century. He called Genocide one of the three massive and unprecedented tragedies of the XX century along with Nazism and Stalinism.