The Armenian National Committee of Rhode Island (ANC-RI) organized several events during the week of April 24, 2024 commemorating the Armenian Genocide of 1915 and highlighting the genocidal ethnic cleansing of Artsakh by Azerbaijan.
On April 23, the Rhode Island House and Senate legislatures passed their annual Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day resolutions. The House and Senate unanimously passed the resolutions thanks to House Majority Whip Katherine Kazarian and Senator David Tikoian leading the way.
Rev. Fr. Kapriel Nazarian of Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church gave the opening prayer in the House, stating that Armenians are not only remembering the Armenian Genocide of 1915 but also the recent genocide in Artsakh and current threats to Armenia from Turkey. Livestreams of the House and Senate resolution readings can be found on the ANC-RI Facebook page.
ANC-RI also held its annual flag raising ceremonies on April 26 in North Providence and Cranston to commemorate the Armenian Genocide.
On the sunny spring morning, the ANC-RI ensured that the Armenian flag was raised once again at North Providence Town Hall while honoring Susan Nalbandian Vartian, who has been a resident of the town for over 70 years.
North Providence Mayor Charles Lombardi welcomed the gathering and administered the Pledge of Allegiance. He then introduced the program’s emcee and ANC-RI member, Dr. Fotini Dionisopoulos. Dr. Dionisopoulos asked Rev. Fr. Nazarian to provide a blessing. Mayor Lombardi followed by recognizing council members, department directors and other town officials who were present.
Addressing the crowd were U.S. Senator Jack Reed, U.S. Representative Gabe Amo, Governor Dan McKee, Secretary of State Gregg Amore and State Senator Tikoian. U.S. Representative Seth Magaziner sent a staff member on his behalf, as he is on paternity leave. Each of the lawmakers expressed their support for Armenians’ neverending cause, as it is the sad reality that the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923 continues to this day.
Dr. Dionisopoulos then offered remarks on behalf of the ANC-RI. She described the activities and programs the ANC-RI undertakes all year long and the importance of supporting the efforts of this grassroots organization. Comments were then made by Mayor Lombardi, who spoke of the significance of this event. He spoke kindly of his family’s close ties to Vartian’s family and presented Vartian with a citation and plaque to commemorate the honoree.
Vartian, whose entire family as well as past and current neighbors were in attendance, spoke of her life as a North Providence resident and thanked everyone for their support. She then raised the Armenian flag, with her grandsons Eddy and Kevin Vartian by her side.
Reverend Hagop Manjelikian of the Armenian Evangelical Church concluded the program with a closing prayer.
At Cranston City Hall, a crowd of close to 200 gathered on Friday evening for the time-honored ANC-RI flag raising ceremony.
Hagop Taraksian, chairman of the Providence Armenian Youth Federation Chapter, served as the emcee and began the program by recognizing the clergy, elected officials, Homenetmen scouts, guests, honoree Antranig Avakian and host Mayor Kenneth Hopkins. He asked Mayor Hopkins to welcome the crowd, who then handed the mic back to Taraskian to administer the Pledge of Allegiance.
The blessing was given by Rev. Fr. Nazarian, who spoke to the large gathering about the tragic history of the Armenian people, which sadly includes the recent ethnic cleansing and genocide that took place in Artsakh, a land Armenians had called home for 2,000 years.
Addressing the crowd were U.S. Senator Reed, Governor McKee, Treasurer James Diossa, State Senator Tikoian and RI House Majority Whip Kazarian. Also present were former Mayor Allan Fung, State Representative Barbara Ann Fenton Fung and Cranston City Council members Kristen Haroian and Dan Wall.
RI Family Court Magistrate Susan Nahabedian served as guest speaker and spoke of her upbringing in an Armenian home and the significant role that has played in her life to this day. Her upbringing instilled in her hard work, strong moral values and ethics, while keeping the Armenian culture alive – mainly through delicious food.
Then it was time to hear from the youth – three students who spoke about what it means to be an Armenian. They represented the three RI Armenian churches and were an inspiring portion of the program. Each of them offers a promise for the future, and they drew well-deserved applause and admiration from the audience.
Liliana Zeitounian, a fifth grade student at Oak Lawn Elementary School, spoke first. She represented the Armenian Evangelical Church, attends Sunday School and the Mourad Armenian Saturday School, is a Homenetmen scout and does Armenian dance.
Next was 10-year-old Shahen Attarian, a member of the Armenian Youth Federation and Homenetmen scouts, a student at Mourad Armenian Saturday School and an altar boy at Sts. Vartanantz Church.
Lastly, St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Armenian Church was represented by 12-year-old Lianna Odabashyan, who attends Armenian school, does Armenian dance and junior choir and is a member of the ACYOA. She also takes art classes at her church and goes to Sunday school.
Mayor Hopkins then presented Antranig “Anto” Avakian with a citation and plaque as this year’s honoree. Avakian has served as chairman of the Board of Trustees at Sts. Vartanantz Church and as a member of the Camp Haiastan Board. He has held many executive positions in the Providence Armenian Youth Federation, of which he is an honorary member, and was chairman of the AYF Central Executive. He earned his master’s degree in education from Rhode Island College and was a special needs educator in New Bedford for 38 years.
The closing prayer was given by Rev. Fr. Shnork Souin of Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Armenian Apostolic Church. His brothers in Christ, Archpriest Fr. Gomidas Baghsarian and Rev. Fr. Nazarian from Sts. Vartanantz Church and Rev. Manjelikian of the Armenian Evangelical Church, were nearby.
The evening concluded as the Armenian flag was raised with the Homenetmen Scouts serving as honor guard singing Mer Hairenik.
Refreshments were offered at Sonia’s Deli, owned by Ara Janigian and his sister Sevan Marout. The hosts were pleased that such a large number of people came together to socialize as one Armenian community.
ANC of Rhode Island
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Another year is in the books. While we do our best here in America to fight for what’s right, one wonders why Armenians in Armenia, starting with the leadership right down to the people who voted him in are giving away what little piece of the once great kingdom is left.
I’m thankful that my grandparents made it to America over 100 years ago. Perhaps I would think differently if I was born and lived in Armenia. Ruled by Soviets for 70 years. Never taught their history. Went to church once or twice a year. The writing is on the wall.