CHELMSFORD, Mass.—In keeping with the spirit of the Centennial observance of the Armenian Genocide, the Memorials Committee at Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church in Chelmsford recently launched a Remembrance Bench Project, which provides a unique opportunity for descendants of genocide victims to memorialize their family members who perished during the genocide.
The Remembrance Benches are being added to the existing Sts. Vartanantz Genocide Memorial, and will be engraved with the names of beloved genocide victims. Having these names etched in granite stone will serve as yet another lasting expression of compassion for those who perished in Ottoman Turkey, and give notice that their anguish and sacrifice will never be forgotten. Each genocide victim’s name will be engraved for a donation of $100.
A dedication ceremony is scheduled for this gall, whereby descendant family members will have an opportunity to share photos and a brief reflection of their martyred ancestor. The deadline for having names engraved is Aug. 10. For more information, contact Deacon James Magarian by e-mailing j.k.magarian@ gmail.com or calling (978) 649-6875, or visit www.stsvartanantz.com/index.php/100th-anniversary-of-the-armenian-genocide and www.facebook.com/pages/Victim-Remembrance-Armenian-Genocide-of-1915/1457382067868098.
Guest Contributor
The homage to the genocide victims would be more complete if the legend on the bench was written as «Ի Յիշատակ», the only legitimate spelling the victims knew, instead of «Ի Հիշատակ», which looks like a misspelling and actually belongs to the orthography implanted in Soviet Armenia in 1922. Imagine: Յակոբ Յակոբեան/Hagop Hagopian, and underneath In Remembrance/ Ի Հիշատակ. Or perhaps, for the sake of consistency, will they turn the spelling of the genocide victim into Հակոբ Հակոբյան?
The “misspelling” or “alternate” spelling has been noted post graphic/promotion production and will be correctly spelled when carved in granite…….forever.
Thank you for your keen observation…..which few have noted.
Thank you for your clarification. Glad to know that you are intent to ensure correct spelling.