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(L-R): Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and Armenian Assembly of America Co-Chair Anthony Barsamian leaving the Old North Church of Boston.
Yesterday, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan traveled from Watertown to Boston, continuing his working trip to the United States. He met with the representatives of the Armenian American community who play a key role in Massachusetts, as well as state government officials who stand out with their activities to promote Armenian American issues.
President Sargsyan began his day on March 29 at the Old North Church of Boston, which had a significant impact in the American Revolution. The President of Armenia’s visit to the Old North Church pays tribute to one of the symbols of American independence and shows his appreciation towards both this church and the overall Anglican Church for their benevolent attitude toward Armenians. This was the first church in the 18th century that allowed Armenian immigrants to hold liturgy. The church was built in 1723 in the northern part of Boston, and is the oldest church building in the city. The vicar of the church, T. Stephen Ayres, and Armenian clergy held a holy liturgy together in honor of President Sargsyan.
Later in the day, President Sargsyan visited the Armenian Heritage Park which was created to commemorate the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide and other subsequent genocides, as well as to glorify the great contribution of Armenian Americans and other immigrants who settled in Massachusetts. Those present at the park include former Governor of Massachusetts Deval Patrick, who played an important role in the creation of the Armenian Heritage Park; representatives of Boston City Hall; Armenian Assembly of America Board of Trustees Co-Chairman Anthony Barsamian; Co-Chair of the Massachusetts Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee James Kalustian; Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian; members of the Executive Committee of the Armenian Heritage Fund, which carried out the construction works of the park; and other representatives of the Armenian American community. At the Armenian Heritage Park, President Sargsyan visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial, where he laid a wreath in memory of the victims of the Genocide.
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan laying a wreath in memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide at the Armenian Heritage Park in Boston, MA.
“A lot of the survivors of the genocide over the years ended up in the US and found refuge here and found freedom and found hope and new lives,” Armenian Assembly of America Herman Purutyan said after the ceremony, reports the Boston Globe. “So that’s why [there is a] very, very close connection between Armenians, Armenians around the world, and the United States.”
Concluding the tour of the park, President Sargsyan also paid tribute at the Holocaust Memorial, placing a symbolic stone on the grave, which is customary in Jewish culture.
More photos from Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan’s visit to the United States are available here.
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