Annual commemoration of Pontian Greek Genocide today

Ethnic Greek Pontian groups around the world on Wednesday marked the annual remembrance day of the Greek Pontian Genocide, honoring the roughly 353,000 victims massacred at the hands of the Ottomans and Turkish nationalist forces in northeast Asia Minor, the historic and ancient land of Pontus.

The massacres commenced against the leaders of the ethnic Pontian communities, followed by civilians of all types, as well as the systematic destruction, looting and closure of churches and monasteries, such as the historic Panaghia Soumela and St. John Bazelon. Hundreds of thousands of ethnic Greek Pontians were driven from their ancestral homes, while others were forced to convert to Islam in order to survive in their towns and villages.

A special plenary session was held in Greece’s Parliament on Wednesday to mark the Remembrance Day.
According to an announcement, the commemorative session underlined the eternal historical memory of the Genocide, and the standing demand for its recognition, especially by the Republic of Turkey, which succeeded the regimes that perpetrated the calamity.

Greece’s parliament officially recognized the genocide of the Greek Pontians in February 1994, with a unanimous vote designating May 19 as the day for its commemoration.
The Parliament building in central Athens was illuminated this evening a symbolic logo and message to remember the Pontian Genocide.

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