On Tuesday, April 24, 2018, and the days preceding and following, the 103rd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide was commemorated within our community through various events which H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, Clergy and Executive Council members attended.
On Saturday, April 21, a March for Remembrance took place from the Jivalagian Youth Center to the Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial where a special program took place organized by the Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial Committee. Rev. Fr. Boghos Baltayan, Pastor of St. Sarkis Church of Pasadena, participated with a prayer service. Remarks were delivered by State Senator Anthony Portantino, city officials, and community leaders. During the commemoration, the freeway signs for the Memorial, which will be place on the 210 freeway, were unveiled. Students of four local Armenian Schools participated with a cultural program.
On Sunday, April 22nd, the Prelate presided over Divine Liturgy at St. Sarkis Church in Pasadena, conducted an intercessory prayer service dedicated to our holy martyrs, and delivered the sermon.
By the initiative of the ARS Western Region Saturday School Board, on the morning of Sunday, April 22, students from the Nayiri, Arax, Sipan, and Sevan chapters, accompanied by their directors, teachers, and parents, went on a pilgrimage to the Montebello Martyrs’ Monument. The students participated in a prayer service led by Rev. Fr. Ashod Kambourian and placed flowers at the monument, heard remarks, and sang patriotic songs.
On the afternoon of Sunday, April 22, the annual commemoration organized by the United Armenian Council was held at the Armenian Genocide Martyrs’ Monument in Montebello. The program featured intercessory prayers dedicated to our holy martyrs led by the heads of the Armenian Apostolic, Catholic, and Evangelical Churches, political messages by elected officials, remarks by Bob Morgenthau, great-grandson of U.S. Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire Henry Morgenthau, and cultural performances by students of Armenian Schools.
On Sunday evening, a candle-light vigil and commemoration took place at the Armenian Genocide Memorial Monument in Las Vegas organized by the Armenian-American Cultural Society of Las Vegas. Rev. Fr. Arsen Kassabian, Pastor of St. Garabed Church of Las Vegas, participated with a prayer. A proclamation from the City Council declaring April 22, 2018 “Armenian Genocide Commemoration Day” for the city of Las Vegas was presented to Honorary Consul Adroushan Armenian.
On the evening of Monday, April 23rd, a commemoration was held at the Armenian Genocide Martyrs’ Monument in Montebello organized by the “Tro”Gomideh and local Armenian organizations. Holy Cross Cathedral Dean, Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian, and Pastor, Rev. Fr. Ashod Kambourian, participated.
On the afternoon of Tuesday, April 24, tens of thousands participated in the “March for Justice” from Pan Pacific Park to the Turkish Consulate where there a special program took place. The Prelate, clergy, and Executive Council members participated.
On Tuesday evening, the annual City of Glendale commemoration was held at Alex Theatre in Glendale featuring keynote speakers Dean Cain and Montel Williams – producers of the film “Architects of Denial” – and cultural performances by Rose and Pilibos School students, LA Balfry Choir, Davidian and Mariamian Educational Foundation, and Hamazkayin Ani Dance Company. Archpriest Fr. Vazken Atmajian and Rev. Fr. Movses Shannakian attended.
