By Florence Avakian
NEW YORK CITY--Emotions ran high amid prayers on the morning of Sunday, February 27, as an overflow crowd attended the Divine Liturgy and a moving requiem service at New York’s St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral, for the souls of the Armenian victims of the 1988-1990 massacres in Sumgait, Baku and Kirovabad. The highlight was the dedication of a specially designed chapel in the cathedral, which features a khatchkar from Armenia and new candleholders.
The special service was conducted under the auspices of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America and its Primate, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian. Among the attending guests of honor was Armenia’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Dr. Movses Abelian. Even before the badarak began, the sanctuary had filled close to capacity. Most of the attendees, young and old alike, were former members of the now largely defunct Armenian communities in Azerbaijan. Some could be seen wiping away tears--possibly reliving the horrors that they were fortunate to escape from in Azerbaijan.
The celebrant and preacher during the nearly three-hour service was Archbishop Anania Arapajian, former Armenian Primate of Azerbaijan and currently Primate of the Diocese of Gegharkounik in Armenia. Resplendent in gold and burgundy vestments with mother of pearl decorations, Archbishop Anania entered the cathedral in a procession of priests and deacons to the majestic Hrashapar sharagan. The beloved hymns of the Ekmalian badarak were soulfully sung by the St. Vartan Cathedral Choir under the direction of choirmaster Khoren Meikhanedjian, and accompanied by organist Florence Avakian.
We Must Work Together
In an emotion-filled voice, Archbishop Anania began his powerful sermon with segments of the well-known quotation from Ecclesiastes. "To everything there is a season," he recited: "a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace." Today, he added, is a day of remembrance and mourning.
Speaking in both Armenian and Russian, he recounted how 12 years ago, "our sisters and brothers were subjected to horrific tortures in defense of their nation. We should not just weep, but work for the good of our people and country. We must find the strength to conquer these problems, work together with love and dedication. Today, we have come to pray together and work together."
"A nation that stands together cannot be defeated," he emphasized. "We must struggle together, and if necessary sacrifice ourselves for our faith and our beliefs. The khatchkar, which represents freedom and justice, is dedicated to the memory of those sacrificed in Azerbaijan, and for those whose graves remain in Azerbaijan," he stated.
Following the solemn requiem service at which the names of many of the martyred Armenians were read aloud, and the blessing of the madagh (memorial meal) in both Armenian and Russian, Archbishop Anania led the clergy in a slow procession through the throng to the back of the cathedral, where the chapel dedication took place. The khatchkar—sculpted in Armenia and installed in the wall before an elaborate candleholder—was blessed by the Archbishop in a touching ceremony. Nearby, a plaque inscribed in Armenian, English and Russian reads: "In memory of the Armenian victims of the 1988-90 massacres in Sumgait, Baku and Kirovabad."
The sculptor of the beautifully designed chapel (who also donated the candleholder and modestly chose to remain anonymous) is a well-known artist whose unique metal works grace such famed landmarks as Rockefeller Center, the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Radio City Music Hall and the Russian Tea Room. He commented to this writer: "When one does a deed in memory of those who are departed or gives a gift to the Church, one should not seek publicity for oneself. I gave my gift in memory of those who gave their lives for our nation. Because of them, we can be Armenians here in a free land."
Remembering Victims, Reaffirming Life
About 400 people attended the luncheon in Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium following the church services. Seated at the head table were Archbishop Arapajian; the Very Rev. Fr. Simeon Odabashian, director of the Diocesan Mission Parish program; and Rev. Fr. Mesrob Benlian, visiting pastor of the Brooklyn community where most of the Armenians who have come from Azerbaijan reside and where they hope to have their own church in the near future. Also in attendance were the dean of St. Vartan Cathedral, the Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, who organized the church services; Deacon Igit Zohrabian, the coordinator of the event; and Deacon Kegham Mardirossian, who recited a moving poem with great passion.
Among those addressing the crowd was Garen Paghtassarian, who offered a toast "in memory of the brave victims who sacrificed their lives for our people and culture, and for those who are living to continue these traditions." Speakers included the honorary chairman of the event, Lavrendi Ghazarian; Svetlana Amirkhanian; and Kegham Tcholakian, who pledged on behalf of the greater Armenia- American community to "stand hand in hand with you." The musical portion of the program included singer Gagik Alexanian, dudukist Arig Diratzouian, and talented pianists Susanna Vartanian and Aghounig Vartanian.
Addressing the attendees, Archbishop Anania reiterated "we must always light candles for our victims in front of the khatchkar." He urged the people to be active participants in helping one another and praised the publication of the first paper published here that serves the Russian-Armenian community. Predicting that it will be a larger paper in the future, he encouraged people to send in articles.
"Everything is up to you," he stated, and expressed the hope for unity in the Russian--Armenian community. "Unity is not only for us but for all Armenians. It will affect our future. Unity is crucial if we are to help one another. Your relatives in Armenia live in poor conditions but they have refused money. They want pride and dignity, not money, and only through unity can we achieve this."
"We have to unite together, even though we are from different places," he stated with great emphasis. In closing, the Archbishop urged the attendees to work with the Diocese in electing leaders, creating a budget and working for the needs of the Russian-Armenian community.
The Russian-Armenian community beautifully organized the event. They prepared the lamb and pilaf luncheon, which included delicious homemade desserts made by many of the members. Committee members included Eugenia Afian, Suzanna Akopova, Rudolf Amiryan, Albert Arakelian, Vitally Atamalian, Aram Dzhamgaryan, Marietta Dzamgaryan, Albert Grigoryants, Vadim Kalashyan, Larisa Manuk, Vitali Najarov, Ted Osipian, Levon Shahnazarian, Levon Simonov, Julietta Stepanyants, Karine Stepanyants, Ela Tsatouryan and Ura Tsatouryan.
Donors for the occasion were Eduard and Ivetta Akopov, Suzanna Akopova, Samuel and Lolita Aznaurov, Tereza Esibova, Karma Farajyan, Evguenia Garamova-Afian, Lucy Sury Kostina, Janna Melkumova, Esza Oganesyan, Marina Terzian, Mareta Tsaturova, Elena Tsaturyan, Yuriy and Ella Tsaturyan, Liliya Vartanova, and Nelli Zakharyan.
Suzanna Akopova, one of the most dedicated members of the community who stayed long after to join in the cleanup, was one of the Armenians in Baku in 1988 when the pogroms started. Pregnant at the time, she fled with her family to Armenia at the end of November 1988 in one of the dozens of airlifts organized by Armenia to rescue the surviving Armenians. Coming to Armenia where she was warmly received with all the other refugees, she again faced horror when a week later the earthquake took place.
With tears in her eyes, she recalled that almost all of Spitak, the epicenter of the earthquake, had been settled with Armenians from Baku. Since Armenia did not have the resources for its own people, she went with her family to Moscow, returned to Armenia a year later and finally came to the U.S. in 1994. "I am grateful to be here," she said quietly, "but I can never forget the brave people who died. In their memory, I have to do my best to preserve their legacy."
