Armenian Remembrance Day: Worcester church reflects on lives lost, community's resilience
WORCESTER ― Dozens of parishioners gathered Wednesday evening outside the Armenian Church of Our Saviour on Salisbury Street for a prayer service commemorating the 109th anniversary of the start of the Armenian genocide.
On April 24, 1915, during World War I, Ottoman authorities arrested Armenian intellectuals and community leaders in Constantinople, the beginnings of a series of events that led to the deaths of an estimated 1.5 million people, in massacres and through starvation.
The anniversary of April 24 is recognized as Armenian Remembrance Day.
"We all have connections to the Armenian genocide. All of us," the church's pastor, Rev. Tadeos Barseghyan, said. "Everyone has a personal connection. Today's story is a personal story for all of us. Today's the day to remember. Today's the day to tell our story and come together as a community."
Barseghyan said Armenian Remembrance Day serves as a reminder to acknowledge historical atrocities and as an opportunity to work toward justice and reconciliation.
Pastors and parishioners recited prayers and hymns in honor of the service. Barseghyan said although over 100 years have gone by, it is important to remember what happened because history could repeat itself.
"Today is important for us for remembrance but also steps to prevent future genocides because history repeats itself," Barseghyan said.
Turkey, which became a republic after World War I and the fall of the Ottoman Empire, denies the deaths constituted genocide. The Turkish government claims the toll has been inflated and that those killed were victims of civil war and unrest.
Barseghyan said April 24 is also a time to reflect on Armenians' resiliency, the resiliency of those who survived and the perseverance of those who built new lives in the United States.
"We are not only people of sacrifice. We are people of resurrection. We are people of hope and we are people of survival," Barseghyan said. "This day is about all of us coming together. Our hope, our resurrection, remembrance and prayer, all of that is coming together today. For all of us, it's an emotional day and a day of reflection."
Barseghyan urged parishioners to spread the word about what their ancestors went through and how they survived. He said the day symbolizes resilience and that the integration of Armenian culture in Worcester is strong.
"They went through a horrible time, yet they were the most faithful, joyful people who love the goodness of life," Barseghyan said. "It's time for all of us to leave the legacy of resilience and survival."
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Armenian Remembrance Day observed at Church of Our Savior in Worcester
