THE 11TH INTER-STEERING COMMITTEES CONFERENCE OF HOMENETMEN CONCLUDED WITH A VISIT TO TSITSERNAKABERD
After two days of meetings, the 11th Inter-Steering Committee Conference of Homenetmen concluded with a visit to the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial complex.
The visit took place on Sunday, November 17, at 10:00 AM, with the participation of the Homenetmen Central (Executive) Committee, Homenetmen-HASK, the Homenetmen-Artsakh Executive Committee, and the participants of the conference.
During the visit, a memorial wreath was laid at the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial on behalf of the Homenetmen family by Yeghpayr Hagop Khatcherian, Chairman of the Homenetmen Central (Executive) Committee, and Yeghpayr Arthur Mkrtchyan, Chairman of Homenetmen-HASK. Afterward, everyone proceeded to the Eternal Flame, where they placed flowers in honor of the 1.5 million martyrs and bid farewell to this sacred site of the Armenian nation with the Lord's Prayer.
Requiem Service in Etchmiadzin in Memory of Deceased and Martyred Homenetmen Members
After visiting the Armenian Genocide Memorial, the Homenetmen delegation proceeded to Holy Etchmiadzin, where they attended a special requiem service held in memory of the deceased and martyred Homenetmen members.
Before the requiem, Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisyan, Director of the External Relations and Protocol Department of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, addressed the faithful with a brief speech, introducing Homenetmen and its 106-year-long mission devoted to humanity and the Armenian nation. Following this, the attendees offered prayers, seeking peace for the souls of the Homenetmen members who departed this world, knowing they had fulfilled their duties to both the organization and the nation.
Homenetmen-HASK’s 35th Anniversary Banquet and Awards Ceremony
On the evening of Saturday, November 16, the delegations of the 11th Inter-Steering Committee Conference of Homenetmen attended a banquet celebrating Homenetmen-HASK’s 35th anniversary. The event was attended by ARF Bureau member Giro Manoyan, members of the ARF Supreme Council of Armenia, National Assembly deputies Gegham Manukyan and Argishti Gevorgyan, ARF Artsakh Central Committee representative Ara Boulouzian, Hamazkayin Central Executive member Artashes Shahbazyan, members of the Armenian Relief Society’s Armenia Regional Executive, and Homenetmen’s friends and benefactors, totaling 250 attendees.
The official segment of the banquet included a video presentation showcasing the 35-year journey of Homenetmen-HASK. Speeches were delivered by chairman Yeghpayr Artur Mkrtchyan in honor of the jubilee period, Gegham Manukyan on behalf of the ARF Supreme Council of Armenia, and Yeghpayr Vicken Avakian on behalf of the Homenetmen Central (Executive) Committee.
On this occasion, awards were presented to distinguished members who made significant contributions to Homenetmen-HASK’s legacy. The "Golden Edelweiss" medal was awarded to Yeghpayr Emil Maghakian (in absentia) and Berj Tufenkjian. The "Vartan Pakhshian" medal was presented to Yeghpayr Bagrat Yesayan, a colleague of the late Yeghpayr Vartan and a member of the first generation of Homenetmen's revival in Armenia. The medal was handed over by Vartan’s mother, Aida Pakhshian. Yeghpayr Tavit Hagopian received the "Service" medal, while the highest honor, the "Merit" medal, was awarded to Yeghpayr Oshin Peroomian. This medal was presented by Yeghpayr Hagop Khatcherian, Chairman of the Homenetmen Central (Executive) Committee.
The banquet concluded with the cutting of the 35th-anniversary cake, followed by a vibrant artistic program.