Sayfo Memorial in New Jersey: From Victims to Victors, the Legacy of Sayfo

By Leah Miksi-Sahdo

“What can I tell you about Sayfo that you don’t already know?”

These were the moving words of Richard Ghazal, Executive Director of In Defense of Christians, which captured the enduring legacy of the Sayfo Genocide—one that continues to echo through generations, even 110 years later.

110th Anniversary of the Sayfo Genocide in New Jersey, USA

Ghazal was one of the panelists who spoke on the evening of 6 June 2025, at St. Mark’s Syriac Orthodox Cathedral in Paramus, New Jersey. The event marked the 110th anniversary of the 1915 Sayfo Genocide and brought together members of the community to honor the memory of the victims.

Held at the invitation of His Eminence Mor Dionysius John Kawak, the gathering featured solemn prayers, a powerful panel discussion, and a candle lighting ceremony. Panelists included Archbishop Mesrop Parsamyan of the Armenian Apostolic Church and Mr. Ghazal, both of whom offered moving reflections on the significance of remembrance and unity.

Spiritual Victors

Archbishop Mesrop’s presence was deeply symbolic — an embodiment of solidarity among the victims of the 1915 Genocide. As one attendee expressed at the conclusion of the panel, “I never thought I’d live to see our two peoples (Syriacs and Armenians) stand united in remembrance. I am overjoyed.”

Archbishop Mesrop delivered a spiritual address titled The 1915 Genocide: Martyrs for Christ. He emphasized the spiritual legacy of the Sayfo martyrs, noting that in the Armenian Church, genocide victims have been canonized as saints. While the Syriac Orthodox Church has not formally canonized its martyrs, the Archbishop stressed that these individuals should still be regarded as witnesses of Christ. This message was beautifully illustrated by the Sayfo Genocide Icon, which depicts a cloud of witnesses — martyrs who chose death rather than deny their faith.

Christian Persecution Today

Following this spiritual reflection, Richard Ghazal offered a message that echoed the resilience of a people who, despite unimaginable suffering, continue to find strength in faith and solidarity.

He began by explaining the situation of Christians today — “We’re witnessing the Sayfo happening every day around the world in 2025.” Giving examples of Christian populations around the globe, Mr. Ghazal pointed out that in the past year, 80,000 Christian Nigerians were killed by ISIS-affiliated organizations. Twenty years ago in Iraq, Christians had numbered 1.5 million. Today, they number only 150,000 — a shocking 90% decrease in only twenty years. The statistics cast a somber mood across the room.

But rather than dwell in despair, Mr. Ghazal pivoted toward purpose, sharing how he uses these realities to advocate for Christians on the global stage. His message was clear: Christians are not just vital to the Middle East — they are essential to the fabric of global civilization.

Confidence in Our History

“When working in politics,” he explained, “you need to know how to appeal to each politician’s priorities.” His message to them is simple, yet profound: “Imagine a Middle East without Christians.” Throughout history, our people were inventors, economists, philosophers, literary scholars, mathematicians, and more. Middle Eastern Christianity isn’t merely our heritage, “Middle Eastern Christianity is world heritage,” he said. “A loss of Middle Eastern Christianity is a loss for the world.” For these reasons, he pointed out in his speech, “We should be confident in who we are.”

In a private interview after the event, he further reflected, “We often downplay the role we played in the development of the world.” We need to acknowledge our successes in history. And after doing that — by changing our mindset “from one of inferiority to one of confidence” — we can create a better future for our people.

Victors, Not Victims

Beyond emphasizing the global value of our faith and culture, Mr. Ghazal challenged the community to reframe how we see ourselves — not as relics of a persecuted past, but as heirs to a victorious faith that refuses to be defined by suffering. “They are not victims and they did not consider themselves victims,” Mr. Ghazal said of the Sayfo martyrs. “Their victory was won — our victory was won — on the Crucifixion and Resurrection of our Lord.”

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As the candles flickered in quiet remembrance that evening, a powerful truth emerged — not just about the past, but about the future. The legacy of Sayfo is not only one of tragedy. It is one of unwavering faith, dignity, and resilience. The martyrs of 1915 were not silenced by their suffering, they became a voice that still speaks to us today.

Through unity, remembrance, and reclaiming the strength of our identity, we honor them best. As Mr. Ghazal reminded us, our history is not merely one of survival, but of profound contribution to humanity. We are not remnants — we are a living heritage. And as long as we carry that truth with confidence and clarity, Sayfo will never be forgotten. More importantly, its message will never be lost: even in the face of darkness, faith endures, light prevails, and from sacrifice, new hope can rise.

Let this commemoration not mark the end of memory, but the beginning of renewed purpose — for our people, for our faith, and for the world.