Armenian Genocide Centennial Commemorated in Central Virginia

By Marni Pilafian

RICHMOND, Va.—The month of April was busy in Central Virginia with many commemorative events taking place to honor the victims of the Armenian Genocide, educate the wider community, and ensure that such atrocities are never repeated in the future.

The eight-member Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee of Central Virginia (AGCCCV) was formed under the guidance of Father Mesrob Hovsepyan, who had encouraged members to spearhead events in the region. The small but vibrant Armenian church of 125 active members made a big impact within the community as well as in all of Virginia through various events.

A scene from the Church Prayer Service (Photo: Marni Pilafian)

“There is a sea change in awareness of the Armenian Genocide,” wrote Khoren Bandazian, a native of Richmond and chairman of the Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee of America, Eastern Region, in a letter to the committee. “While these national and international events dominate the media, it is the local community events that can have the most lasting impact. For a small community, you do big things and it does not go unnoticed.”

Visit to Virginia Council of Churches

In November 2014, Bedros Bandazian and Sona Kerneklian Pomfret, both members of the AGCCCV, asked the Virginia Council of Churches to join the Centennial commemoration. The Council agreed to participate and issued a proclamation to help raise awareness of the Armenian Genocide and prevent future atrocities. The Reverend Jonathan Barton, General Minister of the Virginia Council of Churches, requested that all member churches of the Virginia Council of Churches, on Sun., April 19, pray en masse from their own pulpits for the souls of the victims of the Armenian Genocide and for all genocide victims and their surviving families, past and present.

Visit to Congressman Dave Brat’s Office

The Armenian National Committee (ANC) of Richmond visited Congressman Dave Brat’s district office on March 30. The delegation consisted of Melanie Bandazian Kerneklian, Dr. Murad Kerneklian, Bedros Bandazian, Sona Kerneklian Pomfret, and Dr. Paul Mazmanian. During the meeting, ANC of Virginia leaders acquainted Congressman Brat with the Armenian-American policy priorities, such as the Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution H.Res. 154, and ensuring the right to self-determination of the people of Artsakh.

Visit to Richmond City Hall: Honored with a Proclamation

On April 13, Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones and the City Council of Richmond proclaimed April 24th, 2015 “Armenian Remembrance Day” in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Members of the City Council and the mayor, in the chambers of Richmond City Hall, stated their desire to unite in solidarity to officially recognize, honor, and celebrate all Richmond residents of Armenian heritage. The Honorable Jonathan T. Baliles, District City councilman and sponsor of the proclamation, stated, “I am proud to represent the many residents of Armenian descent of the Richmond community and of St. James Armenian Church, which is in my district. The Richmond Armenian community is an important part of our business, faith, and cultural enhancement for the City of Richmond, Virginia.”

A group photo after the Proclamation was awarded at Richmond City Hall (Photo: Marni Pilafian)

The Proclamation was accepted by Bedros Bandazian, representing the ANC of Virginia. Also accepting was Sona Kerneklian Pomfret of the AGCCCV, and Robert M. Norris, chairperson of the St. James Armenian Church Parish Council.

“What you see happening in the Middle East, the decimating of Christians and other religious minorities, is a repeat of what happened in 1915. Man’s inhumanity to man must stop,” implored Bandazian. “One person killed is a crime. 1.5 million killed is a genocide. We must learn from the past in order to prevent genocide and move forward to reconcile these crimes.”

Church Prayer Service and Luncheon

On April 18, 12 diverse multi-denominational religious leaders participated in the Ecumenical Service at Saint James Armenian Church, in memory of those who perished in the Armenian Genocide. The Very Reverend (and Vicar) Hayr Simeon Odabashian led the service and welcomed each religious participant to the podium. The tone of the event was global. Man’s inhumanity to man was part of this theme of “Awareness, Unity, and Gratitude.” The Virginia Council of Churches, led by general minister Jonathan Barton, also publicly launched the shared prayer throughout the Commonwealth to all its member churches on Sunday April 19th, to pray for the victims and their families of the Armenian Genocide and to pray for the end of genocide in every corner of the globe.

On April 18, 12 diverse multi-denominational religious leaders participated in the Ecumenical Service at Saint James Armenian Church (Photo: Marni Pilafian)

At the luncheon, Hayr Odabashian welcomed all of the religious leaders and four visiting Virginia politicians. His benediction was a blessing “to raise up a united prayer for a just and humane world, where respect and kindness rule everywhere.”

Congressman Dave Brat at the Ecumenical Luncheon (Photo: Marni Pilafian)

Aram Hamparian, the executive director of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA), gave the keynote address. “This should be a time of solemn mourning for Armenians,” he said, “but instead it is a time of frustration, fighting with Turkey to express the truth. The United States is a less safe place when there is denial. If America accepts denial as a foreign policy, it is siding with evil. Let’s work to put America on the right side of the issue.”

Congressman Brat also spoke at the Ecumenical Centennial Commemoration Luncheon. “I was a former seminary student. I understand the morality and ethics of this historical situation. It is because of the issue of genocide that I had decided to run for Congress. And that is why I have co-sponsored the Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution [H.Res. 154].”

Visit to VCU: Music and a Genocide Scholar

On April 23, at least 60 members of the Richmond Armenian community attended one or both events at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), sponsored by Dr. Mayda Topoushian, a professor at VCU in the School of World Studies and in the Department of Political Science, and faculty advisor to the Armenian Students’ Association. She had invited the Middle Eastern Music Ensemble from William and Mary College to perform, led by Dr. Anne Rasmussen, director, an ethnomusicologist, who also soloed on her oud.

Dr. Paul Bartrop (Photo: Marni Pilafian)

After a brief reception, internationally renowned resident genocide scholar and VCU Political Science Professor Dr. Herbert Hirsch introduced his esteemed colleague, visiting award-winning scholar Dr. Paul Bartrop, director of the Center for Judaic, Holocaust, and Genocide Studies at Florida Gulf Coast University.

“The Armenian Genocide is as relevant today as it was in the 20^thcentury, “ said Bartrop. “Why bother to remember these horrible events? Because they are still going on. The Armenian Genocide began in 1915, the Jewish Holocaust in 1942, Biafra in the 1970’s, and in more recent times, Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda, Darfur, Burundi. Today there are ongoing conflicts resulting in unresolved genocides in Syria, Sudan, Congo, and the Central African Republic. Intolerance is still with us.”

A candlelight vigil took place immediately after the talk, led by the Armenian students of VCU. Professors Bartrop, Hirsch, and Topoushian each held a lit candle while the Lord’s Prayer (“Hayr Mer”) was recited in Armenian by the VCU Armenian students, members of the Richmond Genocide Commemoration Committee, and other visitors. This quiet vigil ended the night of remembrance. Guests held a candle’s light to brighten their path to meet our goals of peace and recognition for the future.