Each year on May 28, Armenians around the world honor the anniversary of the Battle of Sardarabad and the establishment of the First Armenian Republic (1918-1920). This week marks 105 years since those fateful events.
In the depths of the Armenian Genocide, Ottoman forces advanced on Eastern Armenia—coming within striking distance of the capital city Yerevan and Holy Etchmiadzin—but were repelled by the native Armenians in a series of battles at Sardarabad, Abaran, and Karakilisa—which have come to be known as the “Heroic Battles of May.”
Large crowds of people, including clergy led by His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, gather to pray at Armenia’s imposing Sardarabad Memorial (pictured here) every May 28—to pay homage to the indomitable spirit of the heroes of 1918. In their life-or-death struggle to defend the remnant of their ancient homeland, the courage and unity of the Armenian people a century ago remains an inspiration, and a timely example, to us today.
In the days to come, as Armenians honor the memory of Sardarabad, and as we in America mark Memorial Day, let us remember alongside those heroes of history the new exemplars of heroism we have witnessed in our own day: our precious Armenian countrymen who risked and sacrificed their lives this year—and who continue to do so—with courage, resolution, and faith. God grant them peace, and bring consolation to their loved ones.
Click on the link to learn more about the Battle of Sardarabad.