WATERTOWN, Mass.—The Armenian Memorial Church of Watertown will celebrate its 100th anniversary with a commemorative banquet at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Woburn on Saturday evening, Sept. 26, and a special service and reception on Sunday morning, Sept. 27. Former pastors, church leaders from the Armenian Evangelical Union and the Massachusetts Council of Churches, and clergy from community Watertown churches will join the congregation at both events.

The committee for the 100th anniversary celebration of the Armenian Memorial Church of Watertown meets in preparation. They are (back, L-R) Anahid Salakian, Laura Nabedian, Sarkis Salakian, Grace Kent, and Arpie Nigoghosian Evans; (front, L-R) co-chair Libby Sabounjian, Betty Boole, and co-chair Phyllis Dohanian. The commemoration will feature a banquet on Saturday evening, Sept. 26, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Woburn and a special service at the church on Sunday morning, Sept. 27, followed by a reception.

Keynote speakers for Saturday evening will be present pastor Rev. Dr. Avedis Boynerian and former pastor Rev. Dr. Ron Tovmassian of the United Armenian Church of Hollywood, Calif. Soprano Kate Norigian, accompanied by pianist John Norigian, will present vocal selections. Harpist Sevan Sarian and violinist Mary Richardson will serenade during the cocktail hour, and guitarist John Baboian and his ensemble will perform in the dining room.

Rev. Laura Everett, the executive director of the Massachusetts Council of Churches, and Rev. Dr. Vahan Tootikian, former pastor and executive director of the Armenian Evangelical World Council, will deliver the sermons Sunday morning, The commemorative service will include special music under June Baboian, the director of music, as well as communion and the reception of new members. Following the service, the congregation will assemble in front of the church to bury an anniversary time capsule. The day will conclude with a festive reception and refreshments in the Abrahamian Social Hall.

Phyllis Dohanian of Belmont and Libby Sabounjian of Wilmington co-chaired the anniversary committee with Betty Boole of Waltham, Arpie Nigoghosian Evans of Nashua, N.H., Grace Kent of Wilmington, Laura Nabedian of Bedford, and Anahid and Sarkis Salakian of Watertown.

The church’s origins trace back to seven Armenian immigrants from Marash, Turkey, in 1897, and the gathering of more immigrant Armenian Protestant families who cherished their faith and began meeting for Bible studies. In 1915, they incorporated under the Massachusetts Congregational Church under the name Cilician Armenian Memorial Church—”Cilician” because they had come from the Cilicia region of Turkey, and “Memorial” for the friends and loved ones lost in the Armenian Genocide of 1915.

The newly formed church began holding Sunday afternoon services at the Shawmut Congregational Church in the South End of Boston, and later at churches in Cambridge. Finally, in the late 1940’s the congregation had accumulated enough money to buy a property on 32 Bigelow Avenue in Watertown and built its own church. Construction began in 1950, and the first service in the sanctuary was held on Nov. 4, 1950.

From its humble start, the Armenian Memorial Church has grown into a vibrant Christian community spanning many generations. While the Armenian Memorial Church has been a congregation dedicated to its Christian values, it has extended its reach through missions to the community and the world. Its 100th anniversary celebration marks “A Century of Faith.”

WATERTOWN, Mass.—On Sat., Sept. 26, the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR) will host its annual New England Walkathon. This Greater Boston fundraiser has become a tradition for the Armenian community. It brings individuals of all ages together for a common cause. The Walk of Life will benefit ABMDR, a non-profit organization that recruits unrelated bone marrow donors to match with patients suffering from life-threatening blood-related illnesses. Because of their unique genetic makeup, Armenians worldwide have a greater chance of finding a potential donor match in ABMDR than other international registries.

On Sat., Sept. 26, the ABMDR will host its annual New England Walkathon

To date, the registry has recruited more than 27,000 stem cell donors in 24 countries across 4 continents, identified 3,000 patients, and facilitated 20 bone marrow transplants. “Walk of Life seeks to raise awareness of the ABMDR mission and provide much-needed funds for testing and cataloging swab samples,” said Dr. Jordan, president of ABMDR.

Walkers will follow a pleasant 45-minute route beginning at the Armenian Cultural and Educational Center (ACEC) at 47 Nichols Ave. The 2.2 mile journey leads to Watertown’s annual “Faire on the Square” festivities offering local food and baked goods, great music and dancing. In addition, the team and the individual who raise the most funds will receive an award recognizing their efforts.

The Walk of Life has attracted numerous community organizations, among them the Amaras Art Alliance, Armenian American Medical Association, Armenian American Pharmacists Association, Armenian Business Network, Armenian Cultural and Educational Center (ACEC), Armenian Youth Federation (AYF), AGBU Young Professionals, Friends of Armenian Cultural Society, Hamazkayin, St. James Armenian Church, St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School, Sayat Nova Dance Company, and YerazArt Foundation.

“We anticipate more college students to participate this year,” said Tatoul Badalian, communications coordinator, speaking on behalf of the organizing committee. Harvard University, Boston College, MIT, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Lexington High School, Watertown High School, and Belmont High School are among the clubs that have already registered for the walk.

Prospective participants can join one of the existing organizational teams, start their own team, or walk individually. As most of the $20 registration fee ($10 for 18 and under) only covers costs associated with organizing the event, walkers are encouraged to raise funds by finding sponsors among their families and friends.

To register for the walkathon, sponsor a walker, or for more information, visit www.abmdr.am/ne-walk.

Established in 1999, ABMDR, a non-profit organization, helps Armenians and non-Armenians worldwide survive life-threatening blood-related illnesses by recruiting and matching donors to those requiring bone marrow, stem cell transplants.

WATERTOWN, Mass.—The Armenian Museum of America presents a new exhibition, “Master Rediscovered: The Art of Simon Samsonian.” The exhibition will open with a reception on Sun., Sept. 29, from 2-4 p.m., in the Adele and Haig Der Manuelian Gallery.

The AMA presents a new exhibition, ‘Master Rediscovered: The Art of Simon Samsonian’

Simon Samsonian’s earliest memory was the slaughter of his family during the Armenian Genocide in 1915. As he was too small to recall his family’s name, Greek nuns from Smyrna who took him in named him Samsonian, after the town of Samson where he was found. When he was 10, the city of Smyrna was burned down, and the survivors were relocated to a Near East Orphanage in Greece. In 1927, he was transferred to an Armenian school in Cairo, where he won an art scholarship in 1932 and subsequently became the art teacher at the Kalousdian Armenian School. In 1960, he discovered that an older sister had also survived the genocide and that his family name had originally been Klujian.

Samsonian became a prominent modernist painter in Cairo, and exhibited annually at the prestigious Le Salon du Caire. Samsonian’s earliest works were in the style of the Impressionists and Fauvists, but they later evolved to become more Cubist after his travels to the great art museums of Europe in the 1950’s. Over the years, he was awarded seven gold medals for his art, and in 1961 the Egyptian Minister of Culture opened a solo exhibition of his art in Cairo. In 1968, he immigrated to the United States to join his daughter, and continued to create art in New York. A major catalogue of his works was printed in 1977, but by then Samsonian had lost interest in promoting his art in New York galleries, and lived a quiet life painting and drawing until his death in 2003.

Samsonian’s life contrasted with that of his Armenian contemporary Arshile Gorky, whom he never met. Both were victims of the genocide and abstract artists, but Gorky was irrevocably traumatized by the event and was eventually driven to suicide. Samsonian, raised in a more supportive environment, used his art to celebrate life.

The Simon Samsonian exhibition at the Armenian Museum of America will be the first major exhibition of this forgotten artist in New England, and will be on view until Nov. 8. The event is free and open to the public.

Dr. Vartan Gregorian to Offer Welcome

Dr. Vartan Gregorian, president of the Carnegie Corporation of New York

On Thursday afternoon, Oct. 1, a New Citizens’ Welcome Reception will be held at Armenian Heritage Park on the Greenway. This first time Welcome Reception immediately follows the Naturalization Ceremony at historic Faneuil Hall, where foreign born men and women will take the Oath of Allegiance to become naturalized citizens, exercising their right to vote and to fully engage in democracy and the community. The Oath of Allegiance has led to American citizenship for more than 220 years, among them those from our own families.

Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian, at the conclusion of the Naturalization Ceremony, will extend the invitation to all new citizens, their families and friends to attend the Welcome Reception at Armenian Heritage Park on the Greenway that follows.

Dr. Vartan Gregorian, president of the Carnegie Corporation of New York, will speak during the park’s Welcome Reception.

“By appealing to a range of new American citizens, the Welcome Reception contributes decisively to Armenian Heritage Park’s core mission of inclusion,” said Armine Afeyan, of Friends of Armenian Heritage Park. “As a celebration of the immigrant experience in Boston, the welcome speaks directly to central themes of the park and the Rose Kennedy Greenway as a whole. The welcome will not only ‘acknowledge the history of Boston as a port of entry for immigrants worldwide,’ but also ‘celebrate those who…contribute to the richness of American life and culture,’ which is the park’s intent.”

The Welcome Reception is funded by the park’s Anna and Noubar Afeyan Fund, an endowed fund supporting programs at Armenian Heritage Park on the Greenway.

The program is an initiative of the Friends of Armenian Heritage Park in collaboration with the United States District Court, City of Boston/Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the Office of New Bostonians, Bostonian Society/Old State House, Faneuil Hall Marketplace and Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy.

For more information, e-mail info@ArmenianHeritagePark.org.

WATERTOWN, Mass.—After celebrating its 20th anniversary year, the ABAKA Armenian School for the Performing Arts announces its 21st season with classes and registration now open. The ABAKA Armenian School for the Performing Arts was founded in 1995 by well-known choreographer Apo Ashjian with a very simple mission: to enrich the Armenian cultural life of youngsters in our community, creating a small corner of Armenia in America. ABAKA provides an outlet for young Armenians to discover and bring forth their hidden and valuable talents, thus contributing to the future betterment of Armenian cultural life. It aims to teach, through visual and performing arts, the richness of the Armenian culture and its traditions and instill in young Armenians the spirit and pride of belonging to a unique heritage.

ABAKA 6th grade students

On June 16, more than 70 students ranging from ages 4 to 16 performed in a magnificent 20th Anniversary Performance at Watertown High School in Watertown. During the evening a special tribute took place honoring Apo Ashjian—the founding director and former owner of the ABAKA School—for his vision and inspiration over the past 20 years to the youth of our community. As the director/choreographer of the prominent Sayat Nova Dance Company of Boston, his dedication and inspiration led many ABAKA graduates to discovering their cultural niche and love for Armenian music and dance.

As the new owner and director of ABAKA, Eddie Megrdichian looks forward to opening the doors, welcoming our Armenian youth once again this season, and continuing ABAKA’s mission. Megrdichian started his dance career at the age of seven, performing the “Nutcracker,” and has been dancing ever since. He studied under the direction of Apo Ashjian and has been a member of the Sayat Nova Dance Company of Boston for the past 10 years.

Megrdichian has also been an instructor at Arthur Murray Dance Studios specializing in ballroom dancing and was a dance teacher at the Sts. Vartanantz Armenian School during his college career. He volunteers his time with dancing with the Waltham Stars and has competed at several local area competitions. He graduated from Johnson and Wales University in Providence in 2010, majoring in the hospitality fields as an event planner. He brings with him a modern vision while maintaining Armenian folkloric and classical dance.

An integral member of the ABAKA staff, choreographer and instructor Pearlene Varjabedian brings with her a unique commitment and strong belief in preserving our unique Armenian culture, which has led her teaching of many students over the past several years both on the East and West Coasts. Varjabedian was born and raised in Boston and has been active in Armenian dance for more than 20 years. She has studied under choreographers Flora Galoustian Rostamian, Apo Ashjian, and Shaghig Palanjian. She was an active member of various Armenian dance groups including Boston’s Hamazkayin “Erepouni” Dance Group, the AGBU “Daron” Dance Ensemble, and the prominent Sayat Nova Dance Company of Boston.

ABAKA 2015 graduates

In 1990, Varjabedian founded and directed the San Francisco based Hamazkayin “Groong” Armenian Children’s Dance Group. Upon her relocation back to Boston she was an instructor at ABAKA from 1995-97. From 1997 to 2012, she continued teaching Armenian dance to Armenian youth in Southern California, where many of her students took part in the Southern California Armenian Dance Association’s Annual “Paradon” Festival of Dance as well as the Armenia Allied Arts Competitions. From 1998 to 2002, she directed and choreographed in Orange County with the St. Mary’s Zvartnotz Youth Choir and Dance Ensemble, and then founded the Hamazkayin Yeraz School of Armenian Dance in 2002, where she was the founding artistic director/choreographer for 10 years until her relocation back to Boston in 2012, where she once again joined ABAKA as an instructor/choreographer in 2012.

In continuing its mission, ABAKA’s director, Eddie Megrdichian, and instructor, Pearlene Varjabedian, are committed to inspiring our Armenian youth and encouraging all students who have yet to experience being an ABAKA student to join this inspiring, fun, and exciting school.

Classes are held once a week and social activities are held during the year, as well as performance opportunities to audiences across the area. For more information or to register, contact Megrdichian by calling (617) 543-8269 or e-mail abakaschoolofdance@gmail.com.

New Graduates Mostly Displaced from Syria and Ukraine Offered Internships in Armenia

Around 60 fresh graduates, mostly displaced youth from Syria and Ukraine, will be offered six-month paid internships in private companies in Armenia as a result of a tripartite partnership between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) representations in Armenia, and the Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA).

Around 60 fresh graduates, mostly displaced youth from Syria and Ukraine, will be offered six-month paid internships in private companies in Armenia

UNDP’s Youth Career Trail initiative is a paid internship program that offers fresh graduates an opportunity to be involved for the first time in employment relevant to their education, and to gain the necessary work experience and practical knowledge for future job opportunities. During the period 2007-14, UNDP implemented five phases of the YCT initiative. In total, 240 fresh graduates have completed the paid internships in Yerevan and in 6 regions of Armenia, and around 60 percent of them were offered permanent employment by the host organizations and companies at the end of their internship.

“Syrian Armenians are industrious, creative, spirited, and productive,” said Zaven Khanjian, the executive director/CEO of AMAA. “Employers in Armenia are in need of a qualified, experienced, and knowledgeable workforce. This program delivers the need resulting in a win-win situation for the homeland. The AMAA will continue to partner and sponsor similar productive programs.”

UNDP’s Youth Career Trail initiative is a paid internship program that offers fresh graduates an opportunity to be involved for the first time in employment relevant to their education, and to gain the necessary work experience and practical knowledge for future job opportunities

The AMAA was founded in Worcester, Mass., in 1918 and incorporated in New York in 1920 with the purpose of strengthening and supporting the Armenian people in their Christian faith and to encourage religious education as well as literary and philanthropic work. Since its founding, the AMAA has expanded its programs of educational, evangelistic, relief, social services, church, and child care ministries to 24 countries around the world.

For more information about the AMAA ministries, visit www.amaa.org or call the AMAA headquarters at (201) 265-2607.

BELMONT, Mass.—On Thurs., Oct. 8, author Dana Walrath will present a talk in connection with her acclaimed novel-in-verse Like Water on Stone at the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR) Center in Belmont.

Author Dana Walrath

It is 1914, and the Ottoman Empire is crumbling into violence. Beyond Anatolia, in the Armenian Highlands, Shahen Donabedian dreams of going to New York. Sosi, his twin sister, never wants to leave her home, especially now that she is in love. At first, only Papa, who counts Turks and Kurds among his closest friends, stands in Shahen’s way. But when the Ottoman pashas set in motion their plans to eliminate all Armenians, neither twin has a choice.

After a horrifying attack leaves them orphaned, they flee into the mountains, carrying their little sister, Mariam. But the children are not alone. An eagle watches over them as they run at night and hide each day, making their way across mountain ridges and rivers red with blood.

Dana Walrath is the granddaughter of survivors of the Armenian Genocide of 1915. She earned a Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of Pennsylvania, an M.F.A. in writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts, and a B.A. from Barnard College, Columbia University. She completed Like Water on Stone (Delacorte/Random House, 2014), her first novel, during the year she spent as a Fulbright Scholar in Armenia working on a project that builds on her award-winning graphic memoir series Aliceheimer’s (Harvest, 2013). Awards for her novel include the 2015 Notable Book for Global Society, the 2015 CBC Notable Trade Book for Social Studies, and YALSA’s Best Fiction Nominee for 2015; it is also a finalist for the Vermont Book Award.

Copies of Like Water on Stone will be available the night of the lecture.

The lecture begins at 7:30 p.m. at NAASR, 395 Concord Ave. in Belmont. For more information, contact NAASR by calling (617) 489-1610 or e-mailing hq@naasr.org.

WATERTOWN, Mass.—Author and actor Eric Bogosian enjoyed a warm Watertown homecoming on Mon., Sept. 14, discussing his acclaimed book, Operation Nemesis: The Assassination Plot That Avenged the Armenian Genocide, before a capacity crowd at the St. James Armenian Church Men’s Club.  Bogosian, who was raised in Woburn and attended St. James as a boy, said how meaningful it was to speak to such a crowd at a church where he served as an altar boy and which his grandfather was a founder of decades ago.

Author and actor Eric Bogosian enjoyed a warm Watertown homecoming on Mon., Sept. 14, discussing his acclaimed book ‘Operation Nemesis.’

Realizing that he is at a place in his career where his success has afforded him a high level of visibility, Bogosian explained that he sees the book as a kind of “Trojan horse” that will get knowledge of the Armenian Genocide to a non-Armenian readership that might otherwise never learn about it.  Observing that even within the Armenian community the level of historical knowledge is not necessarily that high, he noted that among many well-educated Americans it is simply non-existent, and that he has gotten many comments from friends who had read his book and learned about the Armenian Genocide for the first time.

Bogosian, whose grandfather Megerditch and great-grandmother narrowly escaped the genocide, read a portion of the book’s opening chapter in which he recalled hearing his grandfather’s stories and his own sense of disconnect, as a thoroughly Americanized youth, from the intensity of his grandfather’s experiences in a seemingly far-off place and time.

It was only much later, Bogosian explained, after he was an established actor (albeit one who refused to change his name and appearance to become less “ethnic”), that he began to seriously investigate the history of the Armenian Genocide. Prompted in part by his role in Atom Egoyan’s “Ararat” and by reading Peter Balakian’s memoir of his developing Armenian-American consciousness, Black Dog of Fate, and spurred by the attention paid to the Armenian Genocide and Soghomon Tehlirian in Samantha Power’s A Problem from Hell, Bogosian developed an interest in the dramatic story of Tehlirian’s assassination of Talaat Pasha in Berlin in 1921.

Bogosian explained how he read these accounts and the trial transcript and began to conceive of a screenplay.  However, then he read Jacques Derogy’s study Resistance and Revenge: The Armenian Assassination of the Turkish Leaders Responsible for the 1915 Massacres and Deportations (first published in French in 1986 and translated into English in 1990).  Derogy, who as Bogosian explained had access to material in the archives of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, gave an account that differed from and greatly expanded on that of, for example, Power.

Bogosian then undertook several years’ worth of intensive reading on Armenian and Ottoman history and related topics. Since he does not know Armenian, he worked with scholar Aram Arkun who translated for him important works such as Tehlirian’s autobiography.  He came to the conclusion that the story of Nemesis needed to be told in a factual way that would reach as wide a readership as possible.  He writes that “Tehlirian and his cohorts were not simply avengers,” and that “through their actions [they] tried to offset in some way the anonymous deaths of hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians who died in the deserts and in their homes and in mountain wastelands.”  He declares that “to the million and a half Armenians who perished at the hands of Ottoman Turks during the First World War, and to their countless descendants, the actions of Operation Nemesis shouted, ‘You existed.  You are memorable. We remember you.’”

In both his book and his talk at St. James, Bogosian pointed out that although the actions taken by Operation Nemesis were entirely illegal, and that the rule of law is important and should be respected, “the men and women of Operation Nemesis did what governments could not.  They were appealing to a higher, final justice.”

It is noteworthy that Bogosian gave a talk that hailed the heroism and ingenuity of the “ordinary men” who planned and carried out Operation Nemesis—all of whom were, of course, members of the ARF—in the hall of a Diocesan church. Bogosian’s work and its reception goes a long way toward breaking down barriers in the Armenian community by emphasizing that the importance of Tehlirian and the rest of the masterminds of Nemesis should be appreciated by all Armenians of any political stripe, even while recognizing that they were products of the specific political ideology of the ARF. More, even, than being of interest only to Armenians, these men changed world history, Bogosian stated.

Bogosian seems to be on a mission to inform everyone he can reach that the unpunished crime of the Armenian Genocide forced ordinary men to become extraordinary ones and to pursue the justice that the Armenian people were denied.  Armenian celebrities who seldom, if ever, get involved in the community or get their hands dirty working on causes we hold dear are generally criticized or viewed with scorn.  It might have taken him a while, but Eric Bogosian has performed a valuable service by bringing attention to these ordinary men and their extraordinary deeds.

On Sat., Sept. 19, a fundraising event was held at GrandTen Distilling in South Boston to raise funds for the Armenian Relief Society (ARS) of Eastern USA Syrian Armenian Relief. The event included a tasting, tour, and open bar by GrandTen Distilling, dinner by Daddy’s Bonetown Burgers, and dessert by Frozen Hoagies.

On Sat., Sept. 19, a fundraising event was held at GrandTen Distilling in South Boston to raise funds for the ARS Eastern USA Syrian Armenian Relief

This was the first time that the Board of Directors of the ARS of Eastern USA lent their support and name to an unaffiliated ad hoc event committee. The cooperation of the Board of Directors was essential to the success of the fundraising effort. Thanks to the sponsors of the event and other donations, the cost of the event was fully underwritten, which meant that proceeds from each $100 ticket sale went to Syrian-Armenian relief projects, with the evening’s net proceeds in excess of $7,500.

The event committee was comprised by Martha Mensoian, event chair, Ann Chaglassian, Christopher Mensoian, Irina Nanagoulian, Sonya Nersessian, and Ani Zargarian. Event committee members were honored to have the chair of the ARS of Eastern USA Board of Directors, Talin Daghlian, attend the event accompanied by other members of the Board of Directors, Sonia Bezdikian, Sevan Kolejian, and Silva Sagherian, and the executive director of the ARS of Eastern USA, Vart Chiloyan.

The event included a tasting, tour, and open bar by GrandTen Distilling, dinner by Daddy’s Bonetown Burgers, and dessert by Frozen Hoagies

Mensoian thanked the event committee members, the sponsors of the event and others who donated, as well as those present for raising funds for the Syrian Armenian Relief when they are called upon to support an ever-increasing number of worthwhile causes. She then introduced Daghlian, who gave a brief overview of the mission of the ARS and the humanitarian work being done in Syria, and stressed the need for medicine, food, water, and shelter. Virtually every aspect of daily living in a war zone that has existed for four years is provided through ARS relief projects.

The Armenian Relief Society was established in 1910 in New York City to provided educational and humanitarian assistance to Armenians throughout the world. The ARS is an independent, non-governmental and non-sectarian organization and an NGO on the roster in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. ARS has affiliate entities in 24 countries.

The Armenian Relief Society of Eastern USA (www.arseastusa.org) is an affiliate of the ARS and made up of 32 chapters. It is based in Watertown, Mass.

By Harry Derderian

Providence’s dynamic duo—Margaret Stepanian and Sylvia Simonian—have a big brother , and his name is Peter “Doc” Bedrosian.

(L-R) Margaret Stepanian, Doc Bedrosian, and Sylvia Simonian

For this terrific Providence trio, being Armenian and participating in numerous community activities has been a true lifetime journey of friendship and love; for a long time, each has continually been a part of—and continually given back to—any activity that defines an Armenian community.

Der Hayr Gomidas Baghsarian said it best: “Margaret, Sylvia, and Doc are pillars in our community, motivated by love of Christ, their church, and the Armenian nation.”

In effect, they have been role models for those who followed.

Margaret, who grew up with 5 brothers, fondly remembers how Joyce Mooradian recruited her to join the AYF at age 15. Prior to that, Margaret had been a church choir member since she was 10 years old, and her devotion to the church has only increased over these many years.

“In the AYF, John Sahagian was my shot put coach and he later pushed me into baseball throw, swimming, golf, and high jump, looking to pick up as many points as we could in Olympics,” she said.

As time went on, Margaret’s energy and love of activity prompted her to serve on the chapter executive many times and also on the AYF Central Executive.

Margaret finished Olympic participation with a total of 50 points and ironically shared Olympic Queen honors with Virginia Madoian, Sylvia’s sister, in 2003.

Eventually, she joined the ARF and ARS, serving on local executives and also on the ARS Regional and Central Executive. When Hamazkayin was organized in Providence, she was elected its first chairperson. Margaret was also elected to many church Board of Trustees, served as board executive and on many committees, including bazaar and NRA.

Professionally, she retired after many years working for the Rhode Island juvenile probation department and the Family Court.

Reflecting on Margaret, Der Gomidas added: “Margaret serves her church and community with a pure heart… I cherish her wisdom and input.”

***

“Sylvia Simonian has long been dedicated to the AYF and church; she sees our community as part of her family,” said big brother Doc.

A charter camper at Camp Haiastan at the age of 10, Sylvia joined the AYF Juniors and brought her spirit and energy to the Seniors for many years. She served on the chapter executive and also on AYF Central Executive.

She participated in many Olympics, placing consistently in the 50- and 100-yard dashes and the long jump.

“My sister Virginia was a better athlete. Virginia was high scorer two consecutive years and held the long jump record for many years,” Sylvia told me proudly.

In recognition of her own Olympic success and community involvement, Sylvia was named Olympic Queen in 1994, with Doc being chosen Olympic King at the same time.

No one worked harder on the field than Sylvia, in the events or as team cheerleader.

Sylvia was elected to the Board of Trustees and as NRA delegate many times in addition to serving many years on bazaar, NRA, and related committees.

Given Sylvia’s many years as a church activist, Der Gomidas refers to her as “…one who has the gift of quiet leadership who loves her church and community family.”

A legal secretary for the same law firm for 57 years and counting, she has also been an ARS “Ani” Chapter member for years, serving in many capacities.

Sylvia and Virginia may be the only sisters to receive Olympic Queen honors.

***

Elaborating on his previous collective statement on the trio, Der Gomidas observed, “Doc is probably the most respected parishioner in our community for his many years of faithful service to youth, sports, and all aspects of our church.”

Doc remembers the origination of his “name.”

“I was a member of my high school football team. As I was sitting on the bench during one game, the coach called for the medical bag. I grabbed it and ran out with it…that was my job while on the bench. My high school friends started calling me ‘Doc.’”

A successful businessman, Doc worked in industry and then started his own company with machines in the back of his parent’s grocery store. Ultimately, he and wife Oppie (former Arpie Asadoorian) established the well-known Narragansett Screw Co., selling it after 39 years and retiring.

“Mom was at his side day to day,” daughter Donna remembers. “Dad was either working…helping the AYF or the church.”

Their two daughters—Donna and Jean—participated greatly in the AYF. Donna offers with a laugh, “I think my first steps as a baby, starting to walk, were on a basketball court at an AYF basketball tourney.”

“Olympics, basketball, rallies, church, and church events were family occasions,” she adds.

An active AYF member, Doc served on Central Executive for many years, and as Central Athletic Council director. He was also a lead force in introducing swimming to the Olympics and, partnering with the likes of Al Jelalian, organized the first Olympic swim events in Niagara Falls in 1958.

Doc’s work with the Armenian youth in sports is legendary, with no peer.

He organized and coached many AYF sports teams for boys and girls—Olympics, softball and basketball. His 1951 AYF team won the national organizational tourney.

Doc has directed Providence-held Olympics many times with distinct and timely organization and skill, and has garnered respect from his peers and participants.

He is an honorary member of the Providence AYF, was honored by the AYF and Homenetmen for his work with youth, and was named Olympic King in 1994 along with Sylvia as Queen.

Doc also coached the Sts. Vartanantz Church basketball team in the New England YMCA league and won the New England title six times! He also served on the board of management of the Providence YMCA and was awarded the Providence YMCA Meritorius Award in 1991. Also in 1991, he was named Man of the Year by the Armenian Masonic degree team.

Doc did split his volunteer time between the youth and the church. He served as a Board of Trustees member for 17 years, chairing the group 8 of those years. He was NRA delegate for 12 years.

Garry Giragosian, who has worked with AYF sports teams for many years, served on the church board with Doc and offered a perspective of Doc’s manner: “Doc would listen to everyone, encourage dialogue then bring the discussions to a good conclusion for the benefit of the church, and for all. … He was a prince to work with. … He had immeasurable respect.”

Chairman of the church bazaar for some 25 years, Doc also served on the Prelacy Executive Council and, in 1969, received the Cilician Knight Award from Catholicos Khoren.

***

The Terrific Trio from Providence has the respect of their peers and the generations of youth who have followed in the dynamic Providence community.

Margaret, Sylvia, and big brother Doc helped create the “Varantian” spirit in the land of the Green Machine and have done a great deal to pass it on.

Margaret, Sylvia, and Doc: a terrific trio of lifetime AYF-ers!

NEW YORK, N.Y.—The 2015 TCS New York City Marathon is fast approaching, and with it comes the debut of TEAM ARMENIA, which was created by the New York Armenian Students’ Association (ASA) as the first official Armenian-based running team to participate in the race.

A scene from a New York City Marathon (Photo: tcsnycmarathon.org)

Earlier this spring, the New York ASA announced its approval as an official charity partner of the marathon. With the creation of its TEAM ARMENIA, the New York ASA was able to amass a group of 6 energetic and enthusiastic runners to tackle the grueling 26.2-mile course throughout New York’s 5 boroughs. The brave runners are Berj Akian of New Jersey, running in his second NYC Marathon; Armen Azarnia of New Jersey, running in his first NYC Marathon; Heather Braun of Ohio, running in her first NYC Marathon; Chris Horne of Ohio, running in his first NYC Marathon; Nora Iknadossian of New York, running in her first NYC Marathon; and Narek Tovmasyan of New York, running in his first NYC Marathon.

TEAM ARMENIA has diligently been training since May in anticipation of the fateful day on Nov. 1, when it will join 50,000 fellow runners. Designated training runs of as long as 20 miles have been intended to prepare TEAM ARMENIA’s runners mentally and physically, while giving them the confidence and a sense of personal accomplishment to complete the course.

Equally as important, the six team members have devoted themselves to fundraise on behalf of the New York ASA to gather needed funds for several new ASA educational and arts-related initiatives in both the United States and Armenia. These initiatives include:

– support of the Johannissyan Institute in Armenia to digitize, restore, and preserve important archival documents;

– contribution to the ASA’s national college scholarship fund, which grants thousands of dollars to deserving Armenian college students across the U.S.

– preparation of the New York ASA’s annual Art Exhibit, as well as other lectures and social gatherings organized with the intent of keeping the Armenian community in New York City viable and vibrant.

The fundraising goal of $3,000 per runner is challenging, but the runners continue to aggressively focus on these efforts while simultaneously preparing to persevere against the hard asphalt of the Big Apple.

For details on TEAM ARMENIA’s runners, including ways to sponsor their fundraising campaigns, visit asainc.org or e-mail NYasa@asainc.org.

By Ani Boghikian Kasparian

Michelle Andonian

DETROIT, Mich.—On Sept. 18, 100 years after the Armenian Genocide, people flocked to a gallery in Detroit to learn about Sarah Andonian’s story of survival, as told by her granddaughter, Michelle Andonian. Through her photographs and newly published book,

 the renowned photojournalist and native Detroiter retraces her grandmother’s journey from Sepastia to Detroit. In her quest to backtrack her grandmother’s route, Andonian encounters the multi-layered remains that blanket the landscape of Historic Armenia.

Sponsored by the Alex and Marie Manoogian Foundation, the exhibit with juxtaposed scenes of crumbling monuments and renovated frescos, desecrated cemeteries and reconstructed churches, show a long history of glory, coexistence, and violence of a once thriving Western Armenia and finally, show hope as seen through Andonian’s lens.

The images are powerful. An abandoned military guardhouse stands amidst the majestic St. Bartholomew Church, northeast of Bashkale; a Kurdish woman, the gatekeeper of Varakavank in Van, opens the doors for Armenian visitors; a dozen, fiery-eyed children play among ancient khatchkars still standing tall in the impoverished village of Por, near Bitlis. Words fall silent to the stories that come forth with each image. Through her camera’s lens, Andonian captures the essence of Armenia—Eastern and Western—past, present, and future.

In her quest to backtrack her grandmother’s route, Andonian encounters the multi-layered remains that blanket the landscape of Historic Armenia.

This Picture I Gift is about a survivor of the Armenian Genocide, about the resilience of the human spirit, and about a granddaughter’s search to find herself and her ancestral origins, bringing to life the images that her grandmother seeded in her childhood imagination. Robert Ourlian, foreign policy and national security editor for the Wall Street Journal’s Washington bureau, the author’s cousin, writes the forward, placing the story of their grandmother in historical context. Michelle Andonian tells all of our stories in her book and photo exhibit.

On Sept. 18, nearly 400 people attended the opening of the exhibit and book launch at Center Gallery of the College for Creative Studies in Detroit. For the majority, it was their first taste of Armenian culture. Upon being greeted by a traditional display of Armenian delicacies, the attendees entered the gallery only to be transported to a sacred world that is Armenia. Antique rugs, lit candles from ancient churches, pieces of crumbled carved stone—the author brought her memories to life for all to experience. The exhibit runs from Sept. 19 to Oct. 24.

Michelle Andonian had been conceptualizing a way to tell the Armenian story for more than 25 years after traveling to Armenia in 1988, which would be the first of many trips. Finally in 2013, she started her journey to her ancestral past. As she immersed herself into the task, the photographer’s creative instincts led her to the second part of her project, Hope Dies Last, a visual, 3D mapping multifaceted work of art, choreographed to the music of composer Alexandra Du Bois. The world premier composition will be performed by violinist Ida Kavafian and Detroit Chamber Winds on Oct. 18, at the Detroit Art Institute. The piece was specially commissioned for this project to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

The book, This Picture I Gift, was made possible through an arts grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Further information on the book and events can be found at www.wsupress.wayne.edu/books/detail/picture-i-gift .

Michelle Andonian is one of the authors participating in the “Book and Author Fair” co-sponsored by the University of Michigan-Dearborn, Armenian Research Center and the Armenian Genocide Commemoration Committee of Greater Detroit, to be held at the university on Oct. 10.

WASHINGTON—Armenian-American communities in Washington, DC, New York, and Philadelphia welcomed Pope Francis on his first ever visit to the United States, expressing their gratitude to the Pontiff for his principled stance on the Armenian Genocide. In April of this year—quoting the 2001 joint declaration by Pope John Paul II and Catholicos Karekin II—Pope Francis reaffirmed the Vatican’s official position on this international crime, further adding that “Concealing or denying evil is like allowing a wound to keep bleeding without bandaging it.”

Pope’s visit began in Washington, D.C., where he participated in several special events, including a historical first address ever delivered by a Pope to the joint session of Congress

Pope’s visit began in Washington, D.C., where he participated in several special events, including a historical first address ever delivered by a Pope to the joint session of Congress. Over a dozen local Armenians—under the leadership of ANCA Eastern Region—gathered at the West Lawn in front of the U.S. Capitol with banners and flags thanking the Pope. Many media outlets, including journalists from the Associated Press and Voice of America, covered the visit, including the banners praising the Pope for his principled stance against the denial of the Armenian Genocide.

“Pope Francis as an influential world leader constantly stresses the importance of moral imperative over political expediency, especially in matters of historical injustice,” said one of the participants Dikran Khodanian. “In that regard, we highly value his contributions to the international affirmation of the Armenian Genocide and strong condemnation of its denial.”

Pope’s next visit was to New York where tens of ANC of N.Y. activists rallied with thousands of Catholics and others to greet the Pope

Pope’s next visit was to New York where tens of Armenian National Committee of New York (ANC of N.Y.) activists rallied with thousands of Catholics and others to greet the Pope prior to his evening prayer service at St. Patrick Cathedral in Manhattan. Activists held posters with messages of gratitude on behalf of the Armenian-American community.

ANCA Eastern Region’s Artur Martirosyan noted, “Pope Francis should be a role model for other world leaders, and first of all to the Obama Administration, to always be on the right side of history and work towards justice. Having canonized the martyrs of the Armenian Genocide, we commence the second century with renewed sense of purpose with the aim of fulfilling historical justice for all genocide victims based on truth and in solidarity with other affected communities.”

The Philadelphia Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee sponsored special billboards placed along the route that Pope Francis was going to take while in the city

The Philadelphia Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee, which encompasses all major community organizations in the area, held a fundraiser earlier in preparation for the Pope’s visit. As a result, the Committee placed special ads in the print and online versions of the Philadelphia Inquirer as well as sponsored special billboards advantageously placed along the route that Pope Francis was going to take while in the city. The Committee worked closely with the World Meeting of Families providing with input on their project and also specially designing the billboards and ads to match the colors and style of the WMOF logo.

“It was a major priority that the Philadelphia Armenian community take the time to express our gratitude to Pope Francis during his visit to our city,” said Kim Yacoubian, co-chair of the Philadelphia Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee. “Our committee is extremely grateful to all of our donors who helped fund the billboards and full-page Inquirer ads thanking the Pope for recognizing the Armenian Genocide.”

For information on the activities of the Philadelphia Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee, please, visit:www.recognitionnow.org.

WORCESTER, Mass.—On Sun., Oct. 25, a special Armenian Genocide 100th Anniversary Memorial Concert will be held in Worcester. The event is co-sponsored by the Master Singers of Worcester and the Armenian Church of Our Saviour.

Participating performing groups include the Master Singers of Worcester and the Armenian Community Singers of Greater Worcester. The program will feature selections in Armenian, plus two exceptional items: the world premiere of “A New Armenia” by Stephan Barnicle, a commissioned work in English set to the famous text by William Saroyan, and the local premiere of “Requiem for the Living” in Latin by Dan Forrest.

In addition, a Children’s Chorus of members from the Armenian community, the First Congregational Church of Shrewsbury, and Saint Mary’s Catholic Church of Shrewsbury will present songs in Armenian, and the Armenian Community Children’s Dance Group will perform two traditional Armenian dances.

The event begins at 4 p.m., in Mechanics Hall, 321 Main St. in Worcester, Mass. A reception will follow in Washburn Hall. Advance Ticket prices are $25; for seniors, students, Woo Card Holders, $20. Please make your check payable to the Armenian Church of Our Saviour and mail to Armenian Church of Our Saviour, 87 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609. For more information, call (508) 756-2931.

Filmmaker Abby Alexanian

Abby Alexanian of Gloucester and Waltham will appear at Glen Urquhart School in Beverly on Sun., Oct. 25, as part of the school’s Alumni Speaker Series. Alexanian is the writer and co-producer of the soon-to-be-released feature-length documentary film, “Scars of Silence: Three Generations of Genocide,” which traces her and her father’s search for their Armenian identity and examines how silence about the genocide has stood in the way of healing for so many Armenian families.
Alexanian, who made the film with her father, well-known photographer Nubar Alexanian, traveled to three of the four villages where her great-grandparents lived in Historic Armenia, within eastern Turkey, for the project. At the Glen Urquhart event, she will show clips of the film and discuss the importance of educating students about all the genocides and mass killings in history, both to help prevent them in the future and to teach children how to discuss difficult topics. As a professional in the field of child advocacy, Alexanian believes healing from all trauma can only occur when there is openness around hurtful subjects.
The young filmmaker is a graduate of Glen Urquhart, Commonwealth School in Boston, and Vassar College. She will receive a master of business administration in nonprofit management and a master of public policy from the Heller School at Brandeis University in December. Alexanian then hopes to continue her work in the field of early childhood policy and advocacy.
The event is free and open to the public. It begins at 4 p.m. at Glen Urquhart School, located at 74 Hart St. in Beverly. For more information, call (978) 927-1064.

On Sept. 23, a new MRI unit was inaugurated at the Heratsi Hospital in Yerevan thanks to a $1.4 million donation by Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) Board of Trustees member Nazar Nazarian, his wife Artemis, and their son, AGBU Central Board member Dr. Levon Nazarian. The ceremony was attended by AGBU President Berge Setrakian, Minister of Education of the Republic of Armenia Armen Ashotyan, Minister of Health of the Republic of Armenia Armen Muradyan, and Yerevan State Medical University (YSMU) Rector Mikayel Narimanyan.

The MRI unit is an addition to the AGBU-YSMU Levon and Claudia Nazarian Radiology Center, founded in 2010.

The MRI unit is an addition to the AGBU-YSMU Levon and Claudia Nazarian Radiology Center, founded in 2010, and will allow the center to perform medical tests unavailable at other hospitals in Armenia. The new device provides high-quality images that enable accurate diagnoses. The new MRI unit, Narimanyan explained, will allow doctors to see cardiovascular pathologies at an earlier stage, observing changes, without endovascular interventions, that may lead to heart attack and stroke.

“The machine is a 1.5 Tesla ‘high-field’ unit, and therefore expands the range of MRI services that the hospital can offer patients,” said Dr. Levon Nazarian, a radiologist and vice-chairman of the Department of Radiology at the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. “State-of-the-art imaging is essential if Armenia is to be seen as a center of medical excellence.”

During the inauguration, Muradyan highlighted the importance of introducing modern equipment at YSMU, which enables young doctors to work with new technologies used by the world’s best hospitals early in their careers. “These technologies also allow specialists to send digital images to reference hospitals, which means that [Armenians] will be saved the trouble of traveling to other countries for the purpose of diagnosis and will be able to receive the highest quality medical care in their home country, in particular at the diagnosis stage.” He added that in the coming months YSMU expects to receive two more similar devices that will meet the needs of Armenia’s healthcare sector.

Before the start of the ceremony, Setrakian and Narimanyan signed a cooperation agreement to continue the partnership between AGBU and YSMU.

CHELMSFORD, Mass.—The Armenian American Veterans of Lowell held their 26^th annual scholarship dance at Saints Vartanantz Armenian Church in Chelmsford on Sept. 26. More than 200 hundred people enjoyed a sirloin tip meal, dinner, and scholarship presentations.

(L-R) Richard Juknavorian, commander, Charles Kochakian (accepting for grandson Nicholas Kochakian), Victoria Kulungian (accepting for brother Nicholas Kulungian), Julie Berberian, John Mahlebjian, Luke Gilman, Dan Dean (accepting for daughter Carrera Dean), and George Manuelian, chairman of Scholarship Committee.

This year’s scholarship recipients were Nicholas Kochakian attending Boston College, Nicholas Kulungian attending University of Rhode Island, Julie Berberian attending University of New Hampshire, John Mahlebjian attending Merrimack College, Luke Gilman attending Southern New Hampshire University, and Carrera Dean attending Purdue University.

Since 1990, the Armenian American Veterans organization has given more than $200,000 in scholarships.

YEREVAN, Armenia—On Sept. 29, the “Armenian Community of China” signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the American University of Armenia (AUA) to provide scholarships for Chinese students to study at AUA. Henri Arslanian, the president of the Armenian Community of China, and AUA President Dr. Armen Der Kiureghian met in Yerevan to sign the MoU and solidify the collaboration.

Henri Arslanian, the president of the Armenian Community of China, and AUA President Dr. Armen Der Kiureghian met in Yerevan to sign the MoU and solidify the collaboration

Beginning in fall 2016, the Armenian Community of China will commit to covering the living costs, healthcare, and air travel of at least one Chinese student who pursues graduate studies in Armenia. AUA will then provide a Merit Scholarship to aid in the payment of the student’s international tuition fees. The joint effort puts AUA on the higher education map in China, promotes the university’s global outreach, and creates a precedent for international recruitment from Eastern Asia.

Arslanian remarked, “We are very proud to offer such a scholarship to our Chinese friends as a token of appreciation for the generosity and openness of the Chinese nation towards Armenians over the past centuries. We believe in the power of education and hope that this scholarship will encourage talented Chinese students to come to Armenia to pursue graduate studies. The Armenian Community of China is based on the pillars of independence, transparency, and governance and we are proud to partner with a like-minded organization like the American University of Armenia with which we share similar values and vision.”

AUA students come from all over the world, and on a daily basis get to enjoy the university’s many research centers and state-of-the-art facilities. In addition to offering eight master’s degrees, AUA launched its undergraduate degree program in 2013, after which the number of applicants from outside of Armenia tripled from the 2012-13 school year.

In addition to offering eight master’s degrees, AUA launched its undergraduate degree program in 2013, after which the number of applicants from outside of Armenia tripled from the 2012-13 school year

AUA Provost Dr. Randall Rhodes commented, “AUA is well positioned to attract students from China and other East Asian nations due to its location at the cultural and geo-political crossroads of the post-Soviet Union states and Iran. International students can explore these regional issues, live in a very safe environment, and study at a United States accredited university.”

To learn more about the Armenian Community in China, visit www.chinahay.com.

YEREVAN, Armenia—The 71^st International Convention of the Armenian Relief Society (ARS) convened from Oct. 4-9 in Yerevan, during which it evaluated the ARS Central Executive Board’s (CEB) activities over the past four years and adopted special programs.

The participants of the ARS 71st International Convention

Along with educational, health, social, and assistance programs for the needy, the convention paid particular attention and adopted corresponding resolutions for the following: the crisis in the Middle East; standing in solidarity with our compatriots in Armenia, Artsakh, and Javakhk; providing care packages to soldiers; helping border villages with various issues; the financial hardships facing the ARS Armenian Blue Cross in Greece; and the immediate needs of the other Armenian communities.

The convention concluded by electing a new Central Executive Board for the upcoming 2015-19 period. The elected officers to the CEB are:

Caroline Chamavonian, chairperson (Eastern USA)

Nyree Derderian, vice chairperson (Western USA)

Rita Hintlian, secretary (Western USA)

Silva Kouyoumjian, treasurer (Eastern USA)

Sonia Akkelian, advisor (Eastern USA)

Liza Avakian, advisor (Europe)

Alesya Pejanyan, advisor (Armenia)

Anna Der Hagopian, advisor (Syria)

Maral Matossian, advisor (Western USA)

Varsenig Sarkissian, advisor (Canada)

Nelly Vekillian, advisor (Lebanon)

YEREVAN—The Armenian Relief Society, Inc. (ARS) embarked on a fundraising kickoff campaign to erect a new building for the ARS “Sosseh” Kindergarten in Stepanakert, the capital of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR/Artsakh), during its 71st International Convention on Oct. 7 at the DoubleTree By Hilton in Yerevan.

ARS ‘Sosseh’ Kindergarten students in Stepanakert

The “Sosseh” Kindergarten was in need of extensive repairs, and the ARS Central Executive Board (CEB) decided that completely replacing the building rather than renovating it was the better option. The original kindergarten, which opened in April 1998 to serve the children of the martyrs of the Karabagh Liberation Struggle, was therefore demolished to make room for the new building.

This building, with a footprint of almost 6,000 square feet on 3 levels, will accommodate up to 130 students ages 3-6. The upper level will include space for after-school programs for the older children. The facility will be equipped with modern technology.

During the ARS Convention, a presentation was made by the Fundraising Committee on the progress of the construction. “This kindergarten building will be a showcase facility to accommodate our new generation, living freely in Artsakh and receiving the best pre-school education possible,” said Angel Manoogian, the chairperson of the committee.

The committee has raised over $500,000 of the needed $850,000 to build and furnish the facility through donations made by ARS chapters and members, as well as benefactors. The benefactors include Mr. and Mrs. Jacky and Seta Guevrekian ($100,000 in 2009), an anonymous donor from Western USA ($100,000) and Mr. and Mrs. Aurelian and Anahit Mardiros ($50,000).

During the presentation, the committee members also provided an update on the fundraising efforts, which will continue until the building is put to use in spring 2017.

Houri Najarian, the co-chairperson of the convention, praised the efforts of the CEB and the committee members, adding, “I encourage all ARS regions, chapters, and members throughout the 27 countries to reach out and support the committee’s fundraising efforts.”

The groundbreaking ceremony took place on Oct. 11, with the participation of the CEB, the Fundraising Committee, and ARS members.

To support this important project, mail your donations to ARS Inc., 80 Bigelow Ave., #300, Watertown, MA 02472, USA. Online donations can be submitted by visiting http://ars1910.org/projects/education/ars-soseh-kindergartens. For more information, contact the ARS Inc.’s office by calling (617) 926-5892 or e-mailing ceb@ars1910.org.