The Armenian Genocide Centennial will reach its culmination in a three-day commemoration in the nation’s capital from Thurs., May 7 to Sat., May 9. All Armenian-American churches, compatriotic and benevolent organizations, and political groups are uniting to present one powerful voice to the American nation and the world for this supreme effort, which will be a clarion call not only for the United States, but for the world.
Powerful entities and personalities involved in commemoration
The National Council of Churches and the U.S. Council of Catholic Bishops have formally invited President Barack Obama and members of the U.S. Congress to attend the ecumenical service at the National Cathedral. Also expected to attend is President Sarkisian.
Partaking in the special service in Washington’s august National Cathedral will be the Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, and the Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I. The three days of events in Washington, D.C. will be under the auspices of the two Catholicoi who will journey from Armenia following the canonization of the martyrs of the Armenian Genocide in Holy Etchmiadzin on April 23. On that day, there will be a coordinated ringing of church bells around the world.
The Steering Committee of this Centennial Commemoration includes Primate of the Eastern Diocese Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Primate of the Western Diocese Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Diocesan Legate in Washington D.C. Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, and Centennial Commemoration Chairman Dr. Noubar Afeyan.
The National Committee includes representatives of groups from around the United States, while the sub-committees carrying out the daily work of creating the events are mostly based in Washington, D.C. The finance committee is chaired by Dr. Jean-Jacques Hajjar. Dr. Susan Pattie has been engaged as program manager.
Afeyan stresses concept of unity
Nubar Afeyan at the Dzidzernagapert Memorial in 2012
In a telephone conversation with this writer, Dr. Noubar Afeyan, chairman of the National Genocide Commemoration Committee, in emphasizing the crucial concept of unity for this important event, noted that it forms a great part of the word community. “We aspire to present important themes for this Centennial observation,” he said. “For all Armenians, there is this apprehension and inadequacy that we haven’t done enough to be worthy of the people who died a hundred years ago.” There is also the idea of “blending of the commemoration and bringing attention to what the survivors have accomplished.”
And then there is the strong belief that “we need to express our gratitude and deep appreciation to the institutions and people who have contributed so valiantly to our survival and wellbeing. Many forces stepped in and supported us, especially in the United States,” he said. “We are aspiring to the unity of the Armenian-American community, and the realization of these themes to bring together all aspects of these climactic three days in the nation’s capital.”
Afeyan is founder and CEO of Flagship Ventures, an entrepreneurial innovation firm that manages $1.5 billion in early stage venture capital, and a portfolio of 35 companies. A graduate of MIT, he is also a senior lecturer at its Sloan School of Management. He has authored several scientific publications and patents, and has lectured widely in the U.S. and internationally.
Currently he serves as chairman of the Global Agenda Council on Chemicals, Advanced Materials and Biotechnology of the World Economic Forum, and on several boards promoting economic development in Armenia.
For his numerous stellar accomplishments to America and Armenia, Afeyan has been awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor (2008), the Prime Minister of Armenia Commemorative Medal for Patriotic Activities (2012), the Saint Gregory the Illuminator gontag and medallion from Catholicos Karekin II (2012), and the Services to the Motherland Order from Armenian President Serge Sarkisian (2014).
The post United Community to Commemorate Centennial in DC appeared first on Armenian Weekly.