Holy Trinity Armenian Church Commemorates Genocide Anniversary with Trio of Events

114
0

Holy Trinity Armenian Church Commemorates Genocide Anniversary with Trio of Events

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Over the April 21-23 weekend, the Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Greater Boston commemorated the 102nd Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide with three parish-based events.

On Friday, April 21, 150 parishioners attended a sold-out private viewing of “The Promise,” at the Capitol Theatre in Arlington. “Within the theater was a deafening silence that spoke volumes about the significance this movie had for our guests. When the movie had finished, it seemed as though no one wanted to move, tearful eyes were being wiped, and our collective appreciation to the efforts of Kirk Kerkorian were expressed with powerful emotion throughout the cinema,” stated Fr. Vasken A. Kouzouian.

Through the collective efforts of Parish Council Chairman, Daniel K. Dorian, Jr., and parishioner, Karen Hovsepian, Holy Trinity was able to host a private showing of the movie.

On Sunday, April 23, the parish celebrated the Feast of the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide with a special Prayer Service at the Martyrs’ monument on the Garabed Baghdasar and Haiganoosh Hagopian Hollisian Plaza. The service dedicated to the Feast of the Holy Martyrs of 1915 was offered in both Armenian and English at the Martyrs monument which was surrounded by parishioners of all generations and backgrounds. “It was even more inspirational to have with us the presence of former US Ambassador to the Republic of Armenia, John M. Evans, for this moving service, and to witness the children and adults of our parish place their flowers around the monument gave everyone a chance to participate,” offered Kouzouian.

Following church services, in the first of a series of events celebrating books and courage and legends, Evans, author of Truth Held Hostage, warmly addressed a crowd of 150 parishioners and friends. In his introduction of Evans, Kouzouian stated, “His unique perspective on the Armenian Genocide echoes the sentiments of Ambassador Henry Morgenthau some 100 years ago. No one in this position has had the courage to say so clearly what Ambassador Evans wrote in his recent book Truth Held Hostage. And we, as an Armenian community, are forever grateful to him for displaying this kind of rare courage.”

Get the Mirror in your inbox:

In his talk, Evans shared his thoughts on why the United States has not followed the lead of many other nations around the world in formally recognizing the Armenian Genocide.

“The denial of the Armenian Genocide is the worst case of alternative facts,” stated Ambassador Evans. John Evans, displaying limitless knowledge in the particulars of the Armenian Genocide, very clearly outlined the issue of “why” the genocide isn’t proclaimed by the United States.

Evans warmly took the time to answer every last question from the gathered guests and sign copies of his book.

 

Get the Mirror-Spectator Weekly in your inbox: