St. Paul Armenian Church'S Saturday School Students Honor The Memory Of The Holy Martyrs

On April 25, 2026, the students, teachers, and parents of the St. Paul Armenian Church Saturday School of Fresno, under the leadership of the Reverend Fr. Yesai and Deacon Hakob, gathered around the khachkar (cross-stone) in the church courtyard to commemorate the memory of the one and a half million canonized martyrs of the Armenian Genocide.

During the solemn ceremony, the students and attendees laid flowers, lit candles, offered incense, and raised prayers to the Almighty, eternally preserving the memory of the martyrs. The event took place in an atmosphere of deep emotion and spiritual reflection, expressing the unity of the school’s students, parents, and teachers, as well as their steadfast commitment to national and spiritual values.

In keeping with the significance of the day, a particularly moving atmosphere prevailed in the church courtyard, dedicated to the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Those present once again reaffirmed their commitment to preserving and passing on national identity, historical memory, and spiritual heritage to future generations.

Under the direction of Mrs. Ani Mikaelian, the students performed patriotic songs, adding a deeply emotional tone to the event.

Senior class students, guided by Mrs. Zarouhi Virabian, presented their thoughtfully prepared and artistic projects, reflecting the historical realities of the Armenian Genocide, as well as the resilience and rebirth of the Armenian people.

The event concluded with a message from the principal, encouraging families to speak Armenian at home, preserve our treasured mother tongue, study Armenian history, attend church every Sunday, pray in Armenian, learn the history of the Church, and keep Armenian national song and dance close to their hearts. She also emphasized the importance of preserving Armenian identity as a cornerstone of community life and education.

Thanks to the dedication and patriotism of the school’s teachers, the event was organized and conducted at a high level. Emotion and pride filled the hearts of all present. It can be said with confidence that the one and a half million canonized martyrs looked down from heaven with pride upon the students.

Margarit Dumanyan
Principal, St. Paul Armenian Church Saturday Armenian School, Fresno