Memorial
to the
Armenian Martyrs of 1915
On the grounds of Saints Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church
Chelmsford, Massachusetts

To view a slide-show of the Memorial *click*

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Memorial
to the
Armenian Martyrs of 1915
________________

In 1915, in historic Armenia and Ottoman Turkey, the genocide of the Armenians took place under the government of the Ottoman Empire.

Approximately 1.5 million men, women, and children tragically lost their ancestral lands, homes, property
- and ultimately their lives -
while forced to march into the deserts and elsewhere only to find starvation and death.

Through Christian faith and determination, the remnants of the martyred Armenian nation
survived and prospered.

Today and always the victims of genocide are remembered here.

____________________
 

Blessed and dedicated
on the
90th Anniversary
of the
Armenian Genocide of 1915.

Erected by the faithful of
Saints Vartanantz Armenian Church
through the generous donation
in memory of
Agnes Manoogian Hausrath
by William Hausrath

June 2005

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"Coming Home to the Holy Church"

This memorial symbolizes the Armenian family
coming home to their Holy Church.

Known and unknown, the men, women,

and children who perished
in the Armenian Genocide of 1915
- the first in a century of many genocides - are remembered here.
 

The Stone-Crosses - Khatchkars
In memory of the Men
Yeghegnatzor Khatchkar
In memory of the Women
Goshavank Khatchkar
In memory of the Children
Bdjni Khatchkar

They are depicted by replicas of historic
Armenian stone-crosses - khatchkar.
They are both individual souls and the basic unit of the Christian community of the faithful - the family.
 

The Memorial Benches
"Coming Home with the Family" are the
Memorial Benches behind the khatchkars. These represent those who perished and include the names of actual victims.

The Memorial Benches in front represent the survivors welcoming "home" those who perished. They include the names of survivors and their descendants.

The entire memorial rests on the design
of the Armenian Cross - the symbol of sacrifice and resurrection.
____________________

Spirit of God, who, descending from heaven accomplishes through us the mystery of him who is glorified with you, by the shedding of his blood, we beseech you, grant rest to the souls of those of us who have fallen asleep.
                        

                                     + Divine Liturgy Hymn