Wellington Cathedral Commemorates Smyrna Catastrophe with Special Service
A special service will bring together diverse communities to remember and commemorate the victims and survivors of the historic tragedy of the Smyrna Catastrophe.
Rev. Charles Dobson, a New Zealand Anglican priest who witnessed the harrowing events in Smyrna (now Izmir, Turkey) in September 1922, will be at the centre of this service. As chaplain to the British community, Dobson documented the devastation caused by Turkish nationalist troops, who razed Greek and Armenian neighbourhoods and committed atrocities against their inhabitants.
The service, set for Sunday, April 21 at 4 pm at the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul, will feature Dobson's firsthand account alongside testimonies from descendants of survivors of the Western Asia Genocides. Attendees will have the opportunity to delve into this lesser-known history and pay homage to the lives lost during this dark period.
The Smyrna Catastrophe marked the brutal conclusion of a period of systematic ethnic cleansing against Christian indigenous minorities in Ottoman-Turkish Western Asia between 1915 and 1923. This commemorative event seeks to bring awareness to these tragic events and the lasting impact on affected communities.
The cathedral will host members of the local Greek, Armenian, and Assyrian communities, highlighting their resilience and the importance of remembrance. The service also aims to acknowledge the bravery of individuals from Turkish, Kurdish, Yazidi, and Bedouin backgrounds who risked their lives to protect and rescue their Christian neighbours during these tumultuous times.
Through this solemn service, organizers hope to foster understanding and unity among diverse communities while shedding light on a critical chapter of history often overlooked.
The event invites all interested parties to join in remembrance and reflection, promising an enlightening and poignant experience for attendees of all backgrounds.
Commemoration of Genocides in Ottoman-Turkish Western Asia
Wellington Cathedral of St Paul, 4pm, Sunday 21 April
