On Sunday, January 25, 2015, the commencement of construction on the Pasadena Genocide Memorial was celebrated with a ceremony held at the city’s Memorial Park with the participation of clergy from the Armenian Apostolic, Catholic, and Evangelical Churches, City Council members, and representatives of community organizations. The ground blessing of the Memorial was conducted in April of 2014; construction is already underway and is scheduled to be completed in April.
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, led the ceremony. He was accompanied by Rev. Fr. Boghos Baltayan.
The ceremony began with welcoming remarks by Board Co-Chair Mr. Robert Kalunian, who introduced the guests and dignitaries. Board member Mr. Levon Filian thanked all who were present and announced that the unveiling ceremony is scheduled for April 18, 2015. He then introduced the clergy.
Prayers and blessings were delivered by the religious leaders. In his invocation, the Prelate gave thanks for the occasion, which he referred to as a monumental day not only for the local community but for Armenians around the world. “One hundred years after Turkey set out to annihilate the Armenian people, not only have we not forgotten, but we have intensified our efforts to have our voices heard, through living reminders such as this memorial and similar ones being constructed in communities across the globe, the latest one to be built in Las Vegas later this year”. In conclusion, the Prelate commended the dedicated work of all those involved in the project and prayed for the smooth progression and successful completion of the Memorial.
