The survivor generation arrived on these shores to escape the ravages of genocide and reestablish their lives in this country. Many of that generation initially believed they would return to the homeland under the right circumstances. Most of the men who joined the Armenian Legionnaires did so to join in the cause of defeating the Ottoman Turks and to participate in the Allied commitment that victory would mean freedom for Armenians in Cilicia. The betrayal by the French Allies in Cilicia and th
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great article went to that church when in the service long time ago on the weekends
In Philadelphia the Armenians lived adjacent to St. Gregory in North Philadelphia and Sts. Sahag/Mesrob in West Philadelphia. As cited in the article, the Armenians moved away to the suburbs, 30-45 minutes away from the churches, or even farther away. This definitely impacted families coming to church regularly. However, many of the faithful still attended, participated in choir rehearsals, were present at Board if Trustee meetings, Ladies Guild functions, etc. Interestingly, the new generation of young married Armenians, now position themselves to live, not necessarily near the church complexes, but near the Armenian Sisters Academy. The full time day school offers classses from pre-K through the eighth grade. It employs a Montessori approach with a strong emphasis on Atmenian culture, history and language, in addition to the regular academic subjects. The school is now 60 years old. Virtually all of the graduates are college educated avd have entered the professions. Although the numbers of Armenians attending the school are only a small percentage of the Armenian youth in greater Philadelphia, the graduates of the school have emerged as the vanguard of leadership in the Armenian community, with the 3rd generation of pupils now attending. Many of the same families are also active, not only at the school, but also at church, local cultural organizations, choirs, dance groups and the like. The churches offer weekly Arnenuan language classes, with auxiliary lessons in dance, etc., however, a daily school is a more solid foundation.