Armenian, Assyrian and Hellenic Genocide News

Merrimack Valley Community to Observe Martyr's Day on April 22
by Tom Vartabedian
Posted: Saturday, April 14, 2001 11:45 pm CST

ANDOVER, MA--Throughout Armenia's long history of turmoil and persecution, none have withstood the fury of time and deportation more fervently than those who survived the Genocide.

Armenians from throughout the Merrimack Valley and southern New Hampshire will gather in large numbers for the 86th anniversary of Armenian Martyr's Day on Sunday, April 22.

The commemorative event will take at West Andover Middle School, Shawsheen Road, off Route 133,at 3:00 pm, and is organized by the Armenian Genocide Commemorative Committee of Merrimack Valley.

The theme for this year's program is "Walking Together in Remembrance"; a gathering of Genocide survivors will be paid special recognition.

When a census was taken throughout the local area this year, the names of 36 survivors cropped up, a noticeable drop from the 75 which in 1994.

Since the committee's inception in 1990, special homage has been paid each year to the 1.5 million Armenians killed at the hands of a genocidal Ottoman Turkish government during 1915-1923.

Proceeds from the annual event have gone to assist worthy charities both here and abroad.

The program will feature a talk by Dr. Vahakn Dadrian, one of the world's foremost authorities on the Armenian Genocide. A special presentation will be made to Henry Morgenthau III, the grandson of the US Ambassador to Turkey in 1915.

Over the past three decades, Dr. Dadrian has helped to advance the comparative study of genocide, furthered by his ability to draw upon a half dozen languages.

Performances depicting village scenes will be staged by the Sayat Nova Dance Ensemble of Greater Boston. The company is celebrating its 15th year under the direction of Apo Ashjian and has performed before audiences around the country and in Armenia.

The program will open with a joint requiem service conducted by the Merrimack Valley Armenian churches and combined choir under the direction of conductor Paul Ketchoyian. The accompanist will be Arsen Russian.

Participating clergy include the Very Rev. Oshagan Gulgulian, pastor, and Very Rev. Ghevont Samoorian, former pastor, Sts. Vartanantz Church, Chelmsford; Very Rev. Yeghishe Manjikian, pastor, St. Gregory Church of North Andover; Rev. Zenob Nalbandian, pastor, Holy Cross Church, Lawrence; and Very Rev. Krikor Maksoudian, interim pastor, St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Haverhill. Also participating will be Rev. Robert Swanson, pastor, Ararat Congregational Church, Salem, NH. John Amboian of Andover, will be master of ceremonies. A reception will follow in the school cafeteria.

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