President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, who is on a working visit to the U.S., is continuing his meetings in Massachusetts. The President is scheduled to meet with the Armenian organizations which have significant role and influence in the state, as well as representatives of the Armenian community and state authorities known for their pro-Armenian activity and other friends of Armenian people.
The President today visited the Old North Church in Boston, where a Holy Liturgy was served by the church pastor Rev. Stephen T. Ayres and Armenian clergymen.
Back in the 18th century, this very church gave an opportunity to the Armenians refugees to the U.S. to serve a liturgy within its building. The church built in the northern part of Boston in 1723 is considered the oldest church building of the city.
By his visit to the Old North Church which had a significant influence on the American Revolution, the Armenian President aimed to pay tribute to one of the symbols of the U.S. independence and appreciate the kind treatment of this church and, generally, the Anglican Church towards the Armenians.
Thereafter Sargsyan visited the Armenian Heritage Park, which was founded in memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide and other genocides following it. The park also aims to honor the great contributions of the American-Armenians and other migrant communities.
The Armenian President toured the Armenian Heritage Park. He also visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex, where he laid a wreath and paid tribute to the Armenian Genocide victims. During his tour, Sargsyan was accompanied by Massachusetts ex-Governor Deval Patrick, who greatly contributed to the opening of the park, Boston Municipality representatives, Coordinator of the Armenian Genocide Centennial events James Kalustian, member of the executive committee of “Armenian Heritage”Foundation which implemented the construction of the park, Sheriff of Middlesex County Peter Koutoujian, as well as other representatives of the Armenian community.
By the end of the tour, the Armenian President also paid tribute by the Holocaust memorial.
President Sargsyan will have a number of other meetings today.