“If a single candle were lighted for every murdered Armenian, the light from these candles would be brighter than that of the moon” – Akram Aylisli

The history of the Armenian people is one of profound suffering and extraordinary resilience. For centuries, Armenians have faced invasions, cultural erasure, and attempts to destroy their identity. The horrors of the 1915 Genocide marked one of the darkest chapters in their history, but the tragedy did not end there. The Armenian people continue to endure, with the ongoing genocide taking new forms, most recently culminating in the 2023 Artsakh Genocide, which has left thousands displaced and silenced. Over the decades, the methods have changed, but the intent has remained. The blockade, ethnic cleansing, and forced displacement of Armenians in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) in 2023 are chilling reminders that the genocide has never truly ended. Entire communities have been uprooted, and a cultural heritage that stood for centuries is once again under attack. Through it all, the Armenian people have remained resilient, rooted in the foundations that have sustained them for millennia: their Church, their language, their culture, and their families.

The Armenian Apostolic Church has been a beacon of hope and unity, guiding the nation through its darkest times. It has preserved not only the faith of Armenians but also their traditions, history, and sense of purpose. In the face of relentless efforts to strip away their identity, the Church has been a source of spiritual and cultural survival. The Armenian language, with its unique alphabet created by Mesrop Mashtots in 405 AD, remains a cornerstone of the nation’s identity. Despite relentless attempts to silence it, the language has been passed down through generations as a sacred link to Armenia’s rich history and an unyielding declaration of its people’s existence. Armenian culture, expressed through art, music, dance, and literature, has served as a powerful form of resistance. From the intricate beauty of khachkars to the haunting melodies of the duduk, Armenian traditions have endured as a celebration of life and identity in the face of systematic efforts to erase them. At the heart of Armenian resilience lies the family—a stronghold of love, tradition, and survival. Within the family, faith is nurtured, language is preserved, and culture is passed on, ensuring that Armenian identity thrives even in times of exile and diaspora. Despite the continued onslaught of genocide and oppression, Armenians have not only survived but have shown extraordinary strength in their determination to persevere. The Artsakh tragedy of 2023 is a stark reminder of the fragility of peace and the ongoing threats faced by the Armenian people. Yet, their story remains one of remarkable unity and defiance against all odds. The Armenian people’s resilience is not just about surviving—it is about carrying forward their identity, culture, and heritage with unwavering pride. They are living proof that even in the face of systematic attempts to destroy them, a nation rooted in its faith, traditions, and values can endure and rise again. The Armenian story is one of hope, strength, and an unyielding will to exist, a lesson for the world that the spirit of a people cannot be extinguished.