This past weekend, the Genocide Centennial Committee met in Washington, D.C., with national committee representatives present. Also attending were Primate of the Eastern Diocese Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Primate of the Western Diocese Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, and Diocesan Legate in Washington D.C. Archbishop Vicken Aykazian.
“There has been an overwhelming response to the May 7-9 Centennial of the Armenian Genocide commemoration in Washington, D.C.,” said Dr. Noubar Afeyan, chairman of the National Genocide Commemoration Committee. “It is still two months before the climactic event, and hotel reservations are almost sold out, and concert and banquet tickets are going fast.”
“Details of this historic commemoration at our nation’s capital were firmed up at this meeting,” he reported. “There is very serious work going on almost round the clock. The list of dignitaries attending our three-day program is growing daily.”
Following the meeting, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian commented on the importance of the Centennial in D.C. “The most important aspect of this Centennial in Washington is unity,” he related with special emphasis. “All Armenian-American religious, cultural, benevolent, and political organizations are united in this crucial effort. We have already had, and will continue to have, Centennial events throughout the year, but the Washington commemoration is the climax, and the most important,” he noted.
“The Washington Centennial will show to our leadership in Washington, D.C. that we are a united Armenian-American community, and this is powerful,” he declared. “Just as importantly, we are united in front of our martyrs who will be sainted in Holy Etchmiadzin on April 23 by the Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II and the Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I.”
This special ceremony in Armenia is “spiritually uplifting, and we will be saying to the world that because of the spiritual power of our martyrs we Armenians are living, contributing to our communities, and flourishing. After the genocide, the surviving Armenians who came to America were called the ‘starving Armenians.’ Now, we are in leadership roles,” he said with pride.
Archbishop Barsamian continued by pointing out this important milestone is not only to remember the tragic events of a hundred years ago, but also to commit ourselves to justice and peace. It is very important that the entire world recognize what the Armenians suffered a hundred years ago.”
The commemoration is “to proclaim that these types of events should never happen to anyone in the world. It is very sad that since 1915, the same atrocities have been and are being repeated today in different parts of the world.”
He added that the Washington Genocide Centennial “is not only for Armenians,” and that the National Council of Churches and the U.S. Council of Catholic Bishops have invited President Obama, members of the U.S. Congress, and other high-ranking government officials and diplomats to the Ecumenical Service at the National Cathedral on May 7 at 7 p.m.
The President of the Republic of Armenia Serge Sarkisian is also expected to be present at the May 7 Ecumenical Service.
At the banquet on the evening of May 9, individuals and organizations that helped the Armenians before and after the genocide, as well as the ambassadors of countries who have recognized the Genocide, will be thanked and honored by the two Catholicoi.
Archbishop Barsamian strongly repeated that the main purpose of the event is “to show our unity in Washington, D.C., the capital of our country.”
Florence Avakian
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It’s fantastic, and I don’t want to rain on anyone’s parade. But we were supposed to be also inaugurating the Armenian Genocide Museum of America in Washington. And we failed miserably due to internal strife and ridiculous lawsuits instead of putting nation first. As we’re saying regarding the Genocide, I also say “never again”
Agree. It’s really why the its up to the younger generation to achieve more unity and I really see it happening despite my previous pessimism. The old guys with their money and big egos compete against each other instead of working together but they are fading away.
There is no question that Archbishop Barsamian speaks the truth when he says the unity of the Armenian People be paramount throughout this Commemoration in Washington D.C. It is also paramount that this unity continue after this commemoration time is over and everyone does not go back to the business as usual way of operating. There is tremendous strength in Numbers. I can only imagine all the incredible good things that would happen by playing with a full deck of cards all the time.(meaning of course every Armenian working together for the bigger cause.) I am going to Washington D.C. in May because I need to be a part of this commemoration for every Armenian that perished but I also need to be there for those that survived and gave me life.
AS an Armenian American and the son of a 1915 genocide survivor I whole hearted support this 100″th anniversary display of unity, commemoration and pursuit of justice. God bless Armenians worldwide! Respectfully, Movses & Anna Movsesian, Plymouth,Mi