Each of our families has been touched and continues to be effected by the genocide. That we are here, in America, in this church, as Christian Armenians is testimony to the effects of the genocide and the tenacious endurance and faith of our forefathers.

Our concern tonight is not simply to remember what was. But, to draw strength from the example of our families’ - our forefathers - our people. And, especially as Christians to consider what strength and practical help can be gained to live our lives today. I would like to share one promise which comes direct from God’s Word. I hope that this promise will be as helpful to you as it has been to me.

In Romans 8:28 the Apostle Paul writes, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purposes.”

This verse is written for us. We are here tonight as those who love God - who trust His Son Jesus as our Savior and seek to live in obedience to Him. And, we are called. Certainly, as an Armenian nation, if we look at our history we can clearly see the working of God. So, this verse is written for us.

What is most difficult, and especially when we consider the genocide, is to see how God works all things, or anything, together for good. As I have been thinking about the genocide I have asked myself, and God, where is Your goodness in all of this? For that matter, where is God’s goodness in anything?

Yet, the promise of scripture for us is this, “God causes" - by His direct personal involvement - “all things” - not some things - a few things - whatever He whimsically feels like - but ALL things - “to work together for good.” Whether or not I, or we, see God’s working of goodness, the truth which scripture teaches us is that God is working good, even out of evil. So, in the midst of whatever circumstances, insurmountable, impossible, even genocide, in which we may find ourselves, we need to look for God’s goodness. In a positive way to ask, “What good is God doing?” And, to draw strength and confidence for our lives by knowing that He is doing good.

What can this mean for us tonight?

Some people have the idea that genocide is unique to the Armenian people. And that somehow, because we have experienced such terrible persecution as a Christian nation, that our Christian God has somehow forsaken us. And so, their faith is shaken. And some, even among our Christian Armenian nation, have forsaken God. But, the reality is that genocide, persecution, or even the sometimes unbearable circumstances of our lives are not unique to us, or even to Christians in general.

The Bible tells us that the sun rises on the evil and the good and that rain falls on the righteous and the unrighteous. (Matthew 5:45) Christians are killing Christians in Ireland. Christians are killing Muslims in Bosnia. Germans killed Jews during the second world war. When Armenia adopted Christianity our forefathers killed all those who clung to their pagan beliefs. In 1822 the Ottomans killed 50,000 Greeks in Chios. In 1860 they killed 11,000 Maronites and Syrians in Lebanon. In 1876 they wiped out 15,000 Bulgarians at Batak and elsewhere. And as Christian Armenians we have seen our own people massacred as well. There are many places around the world where genocide and persecution have taken place and continue to take place.

However, as Christians, even in the midst of persecution our attitude - our outlook and hope - can be different. Jesus said, “You will be hated by all on account of My name.” (Matthew 10:22) Persecution does not surprise God. So, it should not surprise us or weaken our faith. We will be persecuted, simply because we love Jesus. But, because we know God and His promise for us our perspective in the midst of adversity can be one of strength and hope. We can ask the positive question, “What good is God doing in this circumstance?”

In the Book of Acts we read the history of the early Church. In Acts, chapter one, we read that Jesus commanded the disciples to testify of Him through-out the world. But, the disciples did not go. After Pentecost, and the coming of the Holy Spirit, they remained in Jerusalem. In Acts, chapter eight, we read that there was a terrible persecution of the Church. Saint Stephen was martyred. Men and women were dragged from their houses and thrown in prison to be tortured and killed. Those who fled Jerusalem continued to proclaim the Gospel. As a result of persecution, the Gospel was proclaimed outside of Jerusalem and eventually around the world. Even in Armenia. As someone has said, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.”

Saint Heripsime refused to submit herself to Kind Dirtad. Saint Gayiane stood bravely in her faith in the face of certain death. They and seventy Christian virgins were tortured and dismembered for their faith. But, their martyrdom helped to spread Christianity in Armenia.

Saint Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned in a deep pit for thirteen years because as a Christian he refused to worship the pagan goddess Anahid. I have been inside of this pit. I cannot imagine staying in its darkness for one day let alone thirteen years. Yet, Saint Gregory, with God’s strength endured. It was King Dirtad’s sister who, after losing faith in her pagan gods, ordered Saint Gregory’s release as the only hope to heal her brother’s insanity. King Dirtad’s insanity which is attributed to his distress over the death of Saint Heripsime. By God’s answer to the prayers and fasting of Saint Gregory, King Dirtad was healed. And, as we know, Armenia, by royal decree adopted Christianity as our national religion.

Our history as Christian Armenians is filled with persecution. And yet, it is Christianity and the Church which has kept us together as a nation through some of the darkest times any nation has ever known. It was Christianity which laid the seeds of the Golden Age of Armenian history. It was Christianity which has instilled within our national blood morals, behavior, and ethics which has helped us to survive and thrive wherever persecution has led us.

If we will look back and consider our history, even in the worst of circumstances, we can see that God has been with us. God has brought good out of the midst of evil. In truth, our nation has thrived, even when it should have been wiped from the face of the earth, simply because of God’s presence and graciousness towards us.

This evening, even as eighty one years later we are commemorating yet another genocide. Even as we have witnessed the pogroms in Baku and the war in Artsakh, scripture encourages us to consider that God really is working good. And He will bring good to those who love Him and are called according to His purposes.

Tonight, we are also reminded that we do not always immediately see what that good is. And this is one reason why faith is often hard. If your family’s story is similar to mine - and it probably is - it may not be easy to see a whole lot of good. Or maybe, tonight the circumstances of your life seem overwhelming. Business, family, friends - whatever your circumstances - God encourages us to cling to His promises - to love Him - trust Him. He calls to us and will never abandon us. He is always there.