His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, in this lecture, speaks about the Armenians — their suffering under the Ottoman Empire, their tragic genocide, and later their migration to Lebanon, where they built a vibrant spiritual and social life.

🔹 1. The Suffering of the Armenians:
Under Ottoman rule, Armenians endured terrible massacres that took the lives of about 1.5 million people — an act considered an attempt to destroy an entire people. The Turks used the Kurds and Circassians against them, leading to looting, displacement, and starvation.

🔹 2. The Attitude of World Powers:
Although international powers knew of these atrocities, they remained silent for political and economic reasons. As Pope Shenouda said, “Politics has no emotions — only interests,” leaving the Armenians to face destruction alone.

🔹 3. The Rise of Soviet Armenia:
After the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution, the Soviet Union granted Armenians autonomy in Eastern Armenia and supported them with food and economic aid. Western Armenia, under Turkish control, continued to suffer persecution.

🔹 4. Migration to Lebanon:
Large migrations began after the 1895 massacres and increased between 1915 and 1923. Many Armenians settled in northern Lebanon, Beirut, Antelias, Bikfaya, and Cilicia, where they found refuge and peace.

🔹 5. Church and Community Organization:
Armenians established an independent Catholicosate in Cilicia, separate from the mother church in Soviet Armenia. They formed a National Union to aid refugees and built churches, schools, hospitals, and clinics.

🔹 6. Integration into Lebanese Society:
Granted Lebanese citizenship under the Lausanne Treaty, they became loyal Lebanese citizens, represented in Parliament, contributing faithfully to national life while preserving their language, traditions, and Orthodox faith.

🔹 7. Cultural and Professional Contribution:
They excelled in engineering, medicine, arts, and craftsmanship. Figures like architect Khachik Barmian trained thousands and built churches and hospitals. Armenians also founded newspapers and active political parties.

🔹 Spiritual Essence:
The Armenians turned pain into creativity and faith. Their journey is a testimony of steadfastness and resurrection — transforming tragedy into spiritual victory through love, work, and faith in God.

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