Each year, Vahan and Anoush Chamlian School students participate in a walk-a-thon to the Prelacy to raise awareness of the Armenian Genocide, pay tribute to our holy martyrs, and reaffirm their pledge to carrying on their memory and legacy. This year’s walk-a-thon took place on Tuesday, April 9, 2019.
The students, accompanied by Principal Dr. Talin Kargodorian, Vice-Principal Rita Kaprielian, teachers, and parents, walked in three groups to the Prelacy where they were greeted by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, joined by Archpriest Fr. Nareg Pehlivanian, Rev. Fr. Ardak Demirjian, and Rev. Fr. Movses Shannakian.
Donning March for Justice t-shirts, the students first paid tribute to our holy martyrs by placing flowers at the Genocide memorial monument. They then conveyed remarks and presented groups songs and recitations promising to uphold our faith, language, and heritage, and to defend our nation and our cause.
The Prelate conveyed his message to each group. On the threshold of Palm Sunday and Easter, His Eminence spoke to the youth about the Resurrection message of the triumph of good over evil, adding that we too triumphed over evil when the Turks tried but failed to annihilate us, Thus, he urged the youth to honor the memory and legacy of our holy martyrs by remaining faithful to our faith, our church, and our nation and continuing to pursue justice. By the encouragement of the Prelate, two 8th grade students expressed their feelings about the day’s meaning, affirming their allegiance to our religious and national identity.
As the last group returned to their school, the 8th grade class gathered at “Dikran and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian” Hall to receive the Prelate’s blessings ahead of their pilgrimage to Armenia. Speaking to them about the sites they will visit, His Eminence stated that we are blessed because the Lord Himself appeared over our lands and with a golden hammer established the location of our first Church, Etchmiadzin. He commended the students’ performances, especially the “Oath to Ararat,” and reminded them to renew their oath to God, to our faith, and to our cause and continue to pursue our rights until we achieve a free, independent, and united Armenia.
The gathering closed with Cilicia, the Armenian national anthem, and the benediction by the Prelate. The students received mementos at their departure.
Prior to the walk-a-thon, students participated in the traditional tree-planting and candle-lighting ceremony at the school courtyard.
