Η Αδελφότητα Ποντίων Τορόντο “Παναγία Σουμελά” τίμησε την Ημέρα Μνήμης της Γενοκτονίας των Ελλήνων του Πόντου

Με ολιγομελή – λόγω κορωνοϊού – αντιπροσωπεία η Αδελφότητα Ποντίων Τορόντο “Παναγία Σουμελά”, τίμησαν την Ημέρα Μνήμης της Γενοκτονίας του Ποντιακού Ελληνισμού.

Το πρωί Τελέστηκαν Επιμνημόσυνες Δεήσεις για τις αδικοχαμένες ψυχές αντίστοιχα στον Ι.Ναό του Αγίου Δημητρίου και τον Ι. Ναό του Αγίου Γεωργίου.  

Στο Μνημείο των Πεσόντων πραγματοποιήθηκε Τρισάγιο στη Μνήμη των 353.000 νεκρών της Γενοκτονίας ενώ κατατέθηκαν στεφάνια.

 Ο πρόεδρος της Αδελφότητας Κυριάκος Κωνσταντινίδης ανέφερε μεταξύ άλλων στην ομιλία του, την οποία παραθέτουμε, πως “101 χρόνια μετά τη Γενοκτονία του Ποντιακού Ελληνισμού είμαστε  εδώ για να αποτίσουμε φόρο τιμής στον αξέχαστο ελληνισμό του Πόντου και να υποσχεθούμε στους προγόνους μας   ότι δε θα ξεχάσουμε ποτέ ότι θα αγωνιστούμε έως ότου υπάρχει ηθική δικαίωση, έως ότου η Τουρκία ζητήσει επισήμως συγγνώμη για να αναπαυθούν οι ψυχές των προγόνων μας”.

Speech by the President of The Brotherhood Pontion

"Hello and greeting to my fellow Pontians,  

I would like to take this moment to thank our honorary president of our Brotherhood Pontian Panagia Soumela also a member of the Canadian Hellenic Congress Mr. Niko Christoforidis. Thank you Mr. Simon Leptokaridis from the Canadian Hellenic Congress. Thank you to Mr. Stathi Mixailidis, representative of the Pan Pontian Federation of the USA and Canada.  Thank you to father Triantafilo of St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church of Toronto, who is a constant supporter of the Pontian Brotherhood Panagia Soumela Toronto. Father Triantafilo conducts a liturgy every year in memory of our ancestors. 

     I would also like to thank the executive council for their continued support in preparing for this years May 19th Genocide commemoration ceremonies. 

     I especially like to thank all of those who are following us through our social media platform as well. This year under the difficult circumstances and due to the corona virus pandemic, we find ourselves in a very challenging position with regards to gatherings.  More so to our guests and fellow Pontians, who I’m certain would have wanted to be present with us at the memorial monument. 

   We gather on this day annually to remember and mourn the 353000 Greek Pontians who parishes at the hands of the barbaric nationalistic young Turks. Pontion’s around the world must never forget atrocities committed against our ancestors. We must unite with our fellow Armenians, Assyrians and Thracian Greeks who suffered through the exact same atrocities at the hands of the same young Turks.  1.5 million Armenians , 300,000 Assyrians and a total of 1.5 million Greeks.   

   Today like everyday, we must continue to bring acknowledgment to our genocide.  It may not be a genocide that the rest of the world is familiar with, but it is the most transpiring point in our own history.  Although Turkey to this day, denies any wrong doing whatsoever or responsibility for the genocide, we will continue to advocate for our ancestors.

     Many of us learned our grandparents personal and intimate experiences during those horrific times.  Those stories remain in our hearts and minds till this day. For this reason, together we all have an obligation to them
   It’s our DUTY to retell those stories to the next generation
   It’s our DUTY to teach them our customs and rituals. 
    It’s our DUTY to let the next generation know that they come from a rich , historical lineage.
    It’s our DUTY to teach them pontian music and dance.
    It’s our DUTY to speak our dialect to the next generation, so that it can be heard throughout eternity.
    But most of all   It’s our DUTY to never relent in the pursuit of recognition of our genocide.
    We must hold those who partook and those who allowed such atrocities to take place accountable. 
   It is a memory that does not create feelings of hatred.  It is because of our civilization, ethos and our principles that we do not seek out revenge, but instead, justice for the 353000 Greek Pontion souls. 
    In closing, I would like to again thank those present and those following on social media for your continued support.  Although today is a more sober event, we look forward to once again gathering for joyous times together with family and friends in keeping with the heritage and roots of our Pontian lineage. 
     On behalf of the executive council and myself , we thank you and we pray for the souls of those lost and remembered today.   WE WILL NEVER FORGET!!!!!   MAY 19th FOREVER.    
   May God be with all of you. "