Worldwide commemorative events honor Sayfo Genocide martyrs

Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people around the world organized commemorative events and celebrations to honor the martyrs of the 1915 Sayfo Genocide committed by the Ottoman Empire and allied tribes. The events served as a solemn reminder of the tragic events that unfolded during that period. Some gatherings took place at memorials dedicated to Sayfo martyrs, while others were held in churches, public squares, and sites where future memorials are planned.

The Aramaen Federation of Belgium held a memorial evening in front of the Sayfo Martyrs’ Monument in Brussels. The event emphasized the significance of remembering and honoring the martyrs of Sayfo.

In Enschede, the Netherlands, Committee 1915 of the Aramean Federation of the Netherlands held a large public gathering in Volkspark. The event aimed to also rally support for the proposed Sayfo memorial.

In attendance were a number of clergy and representatives from various political and civic institutions. Officials from Aramean (Syriac) institutions delivered speeches, drawing inspiration from the occasion.

Indrukwekkende herdenking van de Sayfo, de Aramese genocide in 1915.
Vandaag in het Volkspark in Enschede pic.twitter.com/iOcXlkgFXV

— Pieter Omtzigt (@PieterOmtzigt) June 15, 2023

Meanwhile, in Hamburg, Germany, a memorial ceremony was held at the Church of the Virgin Mary and Mart Shmoni which was presided over by Father Moshe Dogan. Following the ceremony, participants visited the Sayfo Martyrs’ Monument, where they respectfully placed a wreath in memory of the valiant souls who perished.

In the Swedish city of Norrköping, several Syriac priests, accompanied by a gathering of Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people, visited the Sayfo Martyrs’ Memorial. A prayer service was conducted to honor the souls of the martyrs and a wreath of flowers was reverently placed on the monument, serving as a lasting tribute to their cherished memory.

The European Syriac Union also organized a memorial event in Örebro, Sweden, where participants lit candles in front of the city’s Sayfo memorial located in the courtyard of the Syriac Orthodox Church of the Virgin Mary.

In the US, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) commemorated the Sayfo Genocide alongside Syriac Orthodox Archbishop John Kawak.

On June 15, Senate Foreign Relations Committee @SFRCdems Chairman @SenatorMenendez joined His Eminence Archbishop John Kawak @ArchSyriacEUSA in solemn commemoration of "Sayfo" the Syriac Genocide.

Thank you, @SenatorMenendez for your strong support! pic.twitter.com/YmznX4ath5

— In Defense of Christians (IDC) (@indefchristians) June 16, 2023

Commemorations were also held across the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) homeland of Beth Nahrin (Mesopotamia).

On the 108th anniversary of the Sayfo Genocide, the Syriac Union Party (SUP) in Syria held a commemorating event for the Sayfo martyrs who were slaughtered by the Ottoman Empire in 1915 in Qamishli/Beth Zalin, NE-Syria.#syriacs #assyrians
1/2 pic.twitter.com/3TgSmvCFAq

— Athro ܐܬܪܐ (@athro14) June 14, 2023