MetroWest Daily News, MA
Memorial honors victims, survivors of Armenian Genocide
By Kathy Uek/Daily News staff
MetroWest Daily News
Posted Oct 19, 2008 @ 10:34 PM
FRAMINGHAM ‘ More than 200 members of the Armenian Church of the Holy
Translators stood against whipping winds yesterday during the
dedication of its memorial park in front of the Franklin Street place
of worship.
The park is a memorial to the victims of the genocide, which occurred
roughly from 1915 to 1923, and a tribute to the survivors, many of
whom came to the Boston area in the early 20th century, said Stepan
Piligian, chairman of the parish council.
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, of the diocese of the Armenian Church of
America (Eastern) in New York City, blessed the park.
"Half of the Armenian population of 3 million perished in the
genocide, Barsamian said. "Today, there are 8 million Armenians in the
world, even in Singapore. We are here today because of those who
sacrificed their lives.
"The (Ottoman) Turks killed them because they were Christians," he
added. "The Ottoman Empire was getting weaker. They feared the
Armenians, who had asked for their rights back. Women and children
were separated from husbands and partners. The men were taken to the
Syrian desert and killed. The women were kidnapped and tortured. Even
children were raped."
Remembering them is a reminder that life goes on, said Levon Hanzatian
of Natick, who was born in Turkey and came to America in 1968. "They
are part of us."
The parents of Joe Kasparian of Milford survived the genocide. "My
mother, Virginia, was a young girl and so traumatized she never wanted
to talk about it," Kasparian said. "My father, John, didn’t talk about
it until later. He was fortunate. His next-door neighbor, who was a
Turk, told him about the attack and they got out. As they ran away,
they saw dismembered bodies. After the genocide, my mother’s family
went to Argentina and my father’s family went to France before coming
to America," he said. "It was sad for them to go through it."
His father died this year at 101.
A stone cross or khatchker, made from volcanic stone native to Armenia
and used on graves and monasteries, stands at the heart of the park.
Surrounding the elaborately cut cross, are brick walkways.
"Many of the bricks are engraved in memory of family members and for
special occasions, such as baptisms and weddings," Piligian said.
The bishop dedicated the park on the fifth anniversary of the the
church and the blessing of the Holy Muron (holy oil) made every seven
years.
"The oil is used for anointing in baptisms, confirmations, and for
those called to spiritual leadership," said the Rev. Father Krikor
A. Sabounjian, pastor of the church.
After the archbishop blessed the park, he did the same for the food
served in the lower church, where members enjoyed trays of meats,
fruits and vegetables and native treats, including Syrian bread, humus
and an unsweetened cheese pastry called borek.