Yerevan /Mediamax/. Boston Archdiocese will hold its first commemoration of the victims of Armenian Genocide this April.

This decision was announced by Boston Cardinal Sean Patrick O’Malley, who will preside over prayer service on April 23 at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in the South End, the Boston Globe reports.

The Cardinal refers in his announcement to the statement (full article in Armenian) made by Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Basilica on April 12 in 2015, where the pontiff of Catholic world named the murders of Armenians in Ottoman Empire the first genocide of the 20th century.

“Pope Francis made clear that the church acknowledges the suffering of so many who lost their lives in witness to their faith and that, tragically, such witness continues through the persecution of Christians taking place throughout the world today. Building on our bond as Christians, the Archdiocese of Boston joins with our Armenian brothers and sisters to make this remembrance in common prayer to our Lord,” said Cardinal O’Malley.

The state’s Armenian religious leaders will attend the event at Boston Cathedral.

Priests of Armenian church in Boston fathers Antranig Baljian and Arakel Aljalian praised Cardinal’s decision, which is “building bridges of Christian unity”.

“Catholics and Armenians are standing together more strongly than ever. The vitality and fidelity of the Armenian community which will be expressed April 23 is a demonstration of the victory of good over evil,” noted Armenian fathers.