The Diocese
Posted: 04/29/2026
April 24 is a day when silence speaks more powerfully than words, for words often fall short of expressing the pain passed down from generation to generation. Within that silence echo unspoken prayers, unheard cries, and the memories of lost lives—realities no language can fully convey. It is not the silence of forgetfulness, but of profound reverence and remembrance, as each heart relives the harrowing wounds of the past, preserving truth and the dignity of justice denied. On that day, people speak with their eyes, feel without words, and remember without limits, for pain becomes a shared memory, and silence its most sincere expression.
April 24 is also a day of unity. Armenians across the world come together with a common spirit—to remember and to demand our violated and disregarded rights. On this day, we realize that remembrance is not only about the past, but also about the future, so that such tragedies may never be repeated… may they never be repeated.
On the occasion of the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, at the “Little Angels” Saturday School of St. Leon (Ghevontiants) Armenian Cathedral, classes began, according to tradition, with a ceremony of respect and prayer, invoking the intercession of the saints.
As is customary, the students came to church with flowers. The blessing and message of the Diocesan Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian were conveyed by the parish pastor, the Reverend Fr. Khajag Shahbazian.
He emphasized that “one of God’s eternal messages is love—not merely a feeling, but a divine presence in the human heart, called to illumine the world and unite humanity. As it is written in the Holy Scriptures: ‘God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him’ (1 John 4:16).” Fr. Khajag underscored that this love becomes a bridge between heaven and earth, through which the faithful commune not only with God, but also with His saints. The holy martyrs, bearing witness to perfect love through their lives, have become living examples and intercessors, standing before God and praying for all humanity.
Following this, under the leadership of the school principal, Deacon Hovhannes Gumruyan, and accompanied by their teachers, the students proceeded to the khachkar dedicated to the holy martyrs of the Armenian Genocide to pay their homage. After the unified recitation of the Lord’s Prayer, the gentle voices of the “Little Angels” rose in choral recitations—soft, moving, and filled with quiet pride. Their voices blended into one harmonious whole, creating a beautiful resonance that filled the church courtyard. Every word was spoken with deep feeling, as though each student were speaking from the heart. Within that shared voice were memory, love, and reverence.
The parents present remained silent, for in that moment, words were unnecessary. The recitation became a small yet meaningful bridge between past and present, reminding all that even the words spoken by young lips can carry profound significance when they arise from sincere hearts. After laying flowers, the students returned to their classrooms to continue reflecting on the meaning and message of the day.
This day became not only a moment of remembrance, but also one of renewal in faith, love, and identity. Strengthened by the intercession of the holy martyrs and illumined by the love of God, this generation is called to uphold the truth, to pass it on, and to build a world where justice and peace prevail over pain.
Ani Yeghiazaryan
Second Grade Teacher
