Day of Forgiveness to bring message of life and peace
For one local ministry, Saturday marks the "World Day
of Forgiveness," a day dedicated to local reconciliation and global peace.
Saturday is July 7, 2007, or 7-7-7, which holds meaning in Christian
religious symbology. And Father Vazken Movsesian, executive director of
Glendale-based In His Shoes Ministries, has taken it upon himself to
dedicate the day to forgiveness, a concept he believes is much needed in the
world.
In the Bible, when asked how often a person should
forgive, Jesus Christ said to forgive seven times 77 times — a reference to
the number 777.
"[Movsesian] deemed it a world day of forgiveness and a day of
togetherness," said In His Shoes event coordinator Anita Issagholyan. "He's
got a lot of great people on board."
The event began on Friday with a screening of the new documentary film,
"Sand and Sorrow," which describes the genocide in Darfur. The film is
narrated by George Clooney and will be followed by a discussion.
"This is an opportunity to center on forgiveness," said Movsesian, who is
also a priest at St. Peter's Armenian Church in Glendale. "As Armenian
Christians we will talk about what we do best — having a message of
forgiveness that gives us life."
The event, which has been two years in the making, will include a focus on
recovery from genocide.
Movsesian's drive to put on the event was further fueled by a recent trip to
Rwanda — another victim of genocide.
"I went to Rwanda last year and had an opportunity to go and see life after
a genocide," he said. "I saw some great people who really put forgiveness to
the test; these are people we're going to be meeting at the conference."
Among those Movsesian met was Benjamin Kayumba, who lived through the
genocide and who was able to forgive those who perpetrated crimes against
him. He will be honored as Person of the Year Saturday.
Another guest Saturday will be Leticia Aguirre, whose son, Raul, was killed
in Glendale in 2000 while trying to stop a gang fight. She later forgave the
killer during his court trial, Movsesian said.
The event will also feature various demonstrations of forgiveness through
art and music.
"[Movsesian] is exploring forgiveness through a lot of different ways,"
Issagholyan said. "There are a lot of deep and important issues that we're
trying to present."
Saturday's event will begin at 9 a.m. and continue till 3 p.m. Both events
take place at All Saints Church in Pasadena.
"I think it's such a powerful thing; we always talk about wars and we talk
about solving problems with violence, but this is a great way to use the
example that Christ gave us and to forgive," said Anush Avejic, an In His
Shoes board member.
The ultimate purpose is to show people a different way of responding to
those who have wronged them besides anger, Movsesian said.
"It's a chance to look at people who have made a difference," Movsesian
said, "people who have tried to forgive and how it has affected them. Our
whole idea is to spread love and really bring a lasting peace."