This community proved its dedication to our 1,500,000 million martyrs when more than 600 individuals filled the sanctuary of St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church on the evening of April 24, 2014. This magnificent feat was accomplished with the unified efforts of St. John Armenian Church of Greater Detroit, St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church, St. Vartan Armenian Catholic Church, and the Armenian Congregational Church.
Who are these 600 individuals? They can be said to be the exiles, deportees, succeeding generations that sprung from the survivors of the Armenian Genocide. “We swear by the spilled blood of our ancestors that we will never forget the Armenians massacred by the Ottoman Turks,” is their cry. And together we paid for the souls of the slain innocents.
With standing room only, each person was given a booklet containing the Vespers Service. The sweetest sound was the “Hayr Mer” being recited by the large throng from the Diocese, Prelacy, Catholic, and Congregational churches. The choir, 22 strong, was harmonious and heaven-like. It was so Armenian with the processional, the incense, sharagans, and vested clergy. We took a deep breath and felt proud to be Armenian, and happy to be paying honor to those we lost to the extremists.
“We’re happy to be here on this solemn occasion with all of the Armenian community participating,” said sisters Ida Gononian and Sona Nahabedian. That was the prevailing attitude of the faithful, with many saying ,“We should have done this long ago.” Indeed.
Pastor Shant Barsoumian spoke in English, and said that 1915 was not the first genocide against the Armenians, that there were others not as devastating, but injurious nevertheless. “Please believe God was with us in 1915. Otherwise the enemy would have annihilated us all. God is holy. He brought us through those terrible times. He is bigger, stronger that the Supreme Court and the United Nations. Christ has given us faith over death. Live a vibrant faith-filled life.”
The clergy involved in the service were Very Fr. Diran Papazian, Very Rev. Fr. Garabed Kochakian, Rev. Fr. Abraham Ohanesian, Pastor Shant Barsourmian, and Rev. Fr. Hrant Kevorkian.
The procession with lit candles followed the clergy and choir outside to the Martyrs Monument surrounded by Easter lilies. Afterwards everyone was invited into the
Lillian Arakelian Community room for traditional lamb madagh sandwiches prepared by the Ladies’ Guilds from the participating churches.
Remella Carman, 100, and Oghi Mouradian, 101, were honored for being the area’s two sole survivors of the Armenian Genocide.
“It was very moving as we began to sing the requiem in front of the khatchkar. The heavens were with us. A light rain began sprinkling and that is why we never forget. It is as though God sent us a message,” said Vaughn Mesropian, the program director of the Armenian Radio Hour.
The community wishes to thank the clergy, deacons, ushers, organist Helen Movsesian, and Nancy Hardick for leading the choir.
Michael Hagopian and Richard Norsigian will co-chair the events for future genocide commemorations. The 100th next year will be held at St. Mary’s in Livonia, which holds 1,300 people. The 101st will be held
at St. John’s Armenian Church. Both gentlemen briefly addressed the audience of future joint events. Norsigian said, “We want the Turks to realize they did not succeed in eradicating the Armenians. We won’t be satisfied until the Turkish and U.S. governments acknowledge the Armenian Genocide.”
Elaborate plans are underway for May 7-10, 2015 in Washington, D.C., for a show of strength with participation by Etchmiadzin and Cilicia—two Catholicoses, Prelates and Primates. There will be a march to the White House and the Arlington National Cemetery.
The Armenian National Committee (ANC) of Michigan also organized an event called “99 Years of Struggle for Justice” on the evening of April 26, at 7:30 p.m., with the participation of the ARF Detroit “Azadamard” Gomideh, AYF “Kopernik Tandourjian” chapter, the five ARS chapters, the Homenetmen of Detroit, and Hamazkayin of Detroit, at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield.
While the audience of around 300 filled the auditorium, a video showed grisly scenes of death and destruction from the genocide, with Karnig Sarkissian singing, “Barzir Aghpyur.” A train filled with Armenians was headed to death, we are now certain; an open pit held the bodies of dead Armenians; emaciated Armenian orphans lay dead in the street; a photo of murdered Hrant Dink, his body covered with a sheet in front of the Agos building; words from actor Mel Gibson saying Armenians have always struggled; and a poster that read, “Eastern Turkey is Western Armenia!” Another photo was of a child holding up his hands showing the holes by Turkish crucifixion, and there was one of Soghomon Tehlirian, who is credited with killing Talat, the genocide mastermind. Then another video was shown with genocide pictures while Isabel Bayrakdarian sang “Dele Yaman.”
ARF Chairman Raffi Ourlian welcomed guests and introduced the co-mc of the day, Lara Nercessian, vice-chair of the ANC. The presentation of flags was done by the Homenetmen Scouts. The Armenian and Amercan National Anthems were sung by Araxie Tossounian, Nayiri Carman, and Tamar Changelian. Then Nercessian that requested everyone stand in a moment of silence for our martyrs.
She spoke about being on the eve of the centennial. “Our ancestors were forced out of their homes 99 years ago. We have put up with 99 years of Turkey whitewashing history. We fight for recognition. We seek reparation for our lost lands. Despite every effort to destroy us, we have thrived. Twenty-one countries have recognized the genocide. Unfortunately the U.S. has not. Wipe away your tears, it is time to fight for justice.”
Co-mc Hovig Kouyoumdjian, chair of the ANC of Michigan, said, in Armenian, “It is
one year less than 100 years. It is important to light candles and to pray because it gives us comfort, but the time is also for reinforcing our demands for reparations from Turkey. Turkey maintains the same attitude of genocide denial.”
Proclamations were read from Michigan Governor Rick Snyder’s office by Ania Biciuk, and from Senator Debbie Stabenow, Senator Karl Levin, Reps. Gary Peters and Sander Levin. State Rep. Testo, of Chaldean decent, wrote, “Because of the oppression of the Genocide we share a lot more similarities than differences. It is our duty to recognize oppression.”
Guest speaker Ara Papian, a lawyer, historian, and diplomat, heads the Modus Vivendi Research Center. He was a diplomat at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the
Republic of Armenia, and was the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Armenian to Canada from 2001-06.
He spoke of the significance of Nov. 22, 1920, when President Woodrow Wilson signed the Arbitral Award that decided the border between Armenia and Turkey. That document was kept secret for a long time, but Papian has compiled the over-240 page document, including the maps that clearly show those lands belonging to Armenia, as outlined by President Wilson.
The Arbitral Award bears the Great Seal of the United States of America, rendering it is binding and inviolable, and was signed by the U.S. president and co-signed by the secretary of state.
“If April 24 is memorialized as a day of great loss and a day we began demands for justice, then Nov. 22 needs to become a day of the restoration of justice, of demands for national reparations, and the re-establishment of our dispossessed rights. Arbitral Awards are final without appeal.”
ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian was the keynote speaker. He serves as the point-person with the Obama Administration, Congress, and the media. He spoke of why we need to challenge Turkey. We owe it to the world, he explained, that the evil set upon us is not done to anyone else. Armenia cannot be safe even today. If the Turks deny what they did as wrong, then they can say they have the right to do it again. If Turkey is to be a forward-looking state, they must put an end to denial. “It is a tragic testimony the U.S. government will not support our efforts,” he added.
“This year on April 24, Turks friendly to our cause gathered in remembrance, held a demonstration at the very same location where in 1915 our intellectuals numbering over 250 were gathered up and later killed. Change takes time and effort. Building public opinion can lead to the remedy.” Hamparian is an energetic speaker who seems perfect for the position he holds.
Included that evening was a dazzling performance by some members of the Hamazkayin Arax Dance Ensemble, led by Nayiri Karapetian and Lara Zanazanian. The group is in its ninth year of performing and has more than 100 dancers. They are well known throughout the area for their perfectly executed, crowd-pleasing performances. The ensemble continues to draw Armenian youth interested in learning the traditional dance of their ancestors. They gave a fitting tribute to our martyrs, followed by an energetic, upbeat dance that had the audience clapping in rhythm.
Representing the AYF was Anoush Mardigian, a poised and eloquent representative of the “Kopernik Tandourjian” Chapter. Her well-written message of support of our Martyrs, the Armenian Cause, and demands for justice reinforced our faith that the youth are well aware of their responsibility. Our strength is in our youth.
The benediction was delivered by Rev. Fr. Hrant Kevorkian of St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church and Rev. Shant Barsoumian of the Armenian Congregational Church.
An afterglow reception was held at Marhaba Restaurant.
The event was organized by the ANC of Michigan. Participating organizations included the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, Armenian Youth Federation, Armenian Community Center, Armenian Relief Society, Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society, and Homenetmen of Detroit.
Many thanks are extended to those who, with their generous donations, made this event the huge success it was. The donations will be donated to the ANCA Telethon.
Betty Apigian-Kessel
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