Armenian Genocide Centennial in D.C.: Events Proceeding at Top Speed

By Florence Avakian on March 11, 2015

WASHINGTON—Preparations for the Armenian Genocide Centennial commemorations, slated to take place in Washington, D.C., from May 7-9, are proceeding with speed as details emerge daily. The unique event will present a united Armenian-American community, bolstered by dedicated supporters from the American and worldwide religious, diplomatic, and governmental fields.

The commemoration is the work of the Armenian Dioceses and the Armenian Prelacies in the United States working together on all levels, including organizational and fundraising efforts.

Leading the three-day commemoration will be the Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II and the Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I. This will be their first appearance together following the inspiring ceremony on April 23 in Holy Etchmiadzin, Armenia, which will anoint the martyrs of the Armenian Genocide as saints.

Also attending the commemoration will be Armenian President Serge Sarkisian. President Barak Obama and members of Congress have been issued special invitations by both the National Council of Churches and the U.S. Council of Catholic Bishops.

Appreciation, unity, awareness, revival

The weekend will begin at Washington’s famed National Cathedral on Thursday evening, May 7 at 7 p.m., with Catholicos Karekin II and Catholicos Aram I jointly leading clergy of the Armenian Church and heads of other faiths in prayers of remembrance, respect, unity, and revival. The keynote speaker in the cathedral will be the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, Rev. Olav Fyske Tviet.

On Friday evening, May 8, beginning at 8 p.m. at the Music Center at Strathmore, a special program entitled, “A Journey through 100 Years of Armenian Music,” will be presented. A group of compositions, both classical and contemporary by the beloved Komitas Vartabed, framed especially for the Genocide Centennial, will be presented. A surprise grand finale awaits the presentation.

Among the acclaimed musicians taking part are the renowned Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra and the Hover Chamber Choir of Armenia. Also performing will be celebrated sopranos Isabel Bayrakdarian and Hasmik Papian, pianists Sahan Arzruni and Serouj Khradjian, violinists Levon Chilingirian, Ara Gregorian, and Ida Kavafian, cellist Alexander Chaushian, and clarinetist Narek Arutunyan.

On the morning of Sat., May 9, starting at 10 a.m. at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, which holds 3,000 seats, Catholicos Karekin II and Catholicos Aram I will lead a magnificent rendering of the Holy Badarak (Divine Liturgy), sung by more than 150 members of choir representatives from Armenian churches in the United States. The choir will be conducted by New York’s St. Vartan Cathedral Choir Director Maestro Khoren Mekanejian, with St. Vartan Cathedral Dean, the Very Rev. Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian, accompanying on the organ.

“A Time to Give Thanks” will be the theme of the banquet taking place at the Marriott Marquis Hotel on Saturday evening, May 9, starting with a reception at 6 p.m. Those dedicated individuals and institutions that helped and supported the Armenians in the past, and the present, will be honored. The master of ceremonies for this auspicious event will be the well-known California lawyer Mark Geragos. Among the evening’s musical performers will be the Zulal Acapella Trio. Entertainment activities for children will be provided during the banquet.

Throughout the three-day weekend, a number of related events will take place, including a tour and a lecture at the Library of Congress, and a tour of the American Indian Museum. There will also be a series of workshops, films, and exhibits throughout Washington and at the Marriott Marquis Hotel.

For hotel and event reservations, visit www.armeniangenocidecentennial.org.