Meds Yeghern

English

Alternative forms

• Medz Yeghern, Mets Yeghern, Metz Yeghern

Etymology

From the Western Armenian pronunciation of Armenian Մեծ Եղեռն (Mec Eġeṙn, literally “Great Crime”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /mɛdz jɛ.ɡɜ(ɹ)n/

Proper noun

Meds Yeghern

1. (used chiefly by Armenians) The Armenian genocide.
   • 2010 April 24, Barack Obama, Statement of President Barack Obama on Armenian Remembrance Day‎^[1]:

     While nothing can bring back those who were killed in the Meds Yeghern, the contributions that Armenians have made around the world over the last ninety-five years stand as a testament to the strength, tenacity and courage of the Armenian people.

   • 2009 April 24, Barack Obama, Statement of President Barack Obama on Armenian Remembrance Day‎^[2]:

     Ninety four years ago, one of the great atrocities of the 20th century began. Each year, we pause to remember the 1.5 million Armenians who were subsequently massacred or marched to their death in the final days of the Ottoman Empire. The Meds Yeghern must live on in our memories, just as it lives on in the hearts of the Armenian people.

   • 2001 September 26, John Paul II, Prayer of John Paul II at the Memorial of Tzitzernagaberd‎^[3]:

     Listen, O Lord, to the lament that rises from this place,
     to the call of the dead from the depths of the Metz Yeghérn,
     the cry of innocent blood that pleads like the blood of Abel,
     like Rachel weeping for her children because they are no more.

Usage notes

Meds Yeghern is used by Armenians synonymous with Հայոց ցեղասպանություն (Hayocʻ cʻeġaspanutʻyun, “Genocide of Armenians”) to refer to the Armenian genocide the way Shoah is used by Jews to refer to the Holocaust. It is also sometimes used by non-Armenian trying to avoid using the g-word.