The Grand Opening Ceremony of the 12th Pan-Homenetmen Games in Yerevan
After three days of competitions, the official opening of the 12th Pan-Homenetmen Games took place on Saturday, July 26, at 7:30 PM in Yerevan’s Republic Square, in the presence of representatives of the Catholicos of All Armenians and the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia, Bishop Vrtanes Abrahamyan and Father Artavazd Sharoyan, ARF Bureau members Arsen Hambardzumyan and Hovsep Der-Kevorkian, Chairman of the Homenetmen Central (Executive) Committee Hagop Khacherian and its members, Chairman of Homenetmen-HASK Artur Mkrtchyan and its members; representatives of the ARF Supreme Body of Armenia and the ARF Central Committee of Artsakh, Ishkhan Saghatelyan and Ara Boulouzian; members of the Central Committees of Hamazkayin and the Armenian Relief Society, former Lebanese Minister of Youth and Sports Vartine Ohanian-Kevorkian, guests, representatives of the 15 participating regions, and a large public audience.
The Torch Lighting
The opening ceremony began at 5:30 PM with torch lightings from three locations. The first torch was lit from the eternal flame at the Armenian Genocide Memorial in Tsitsernakaberd, in honor of the memory of our ancestors who were victims of the Genocide. It was lit by Homenetmen-HASK’s Kayligs and Ardzvigs, Khachig Der-Nersessian and Houri Chaghatsbanian, in the presence of members of the Homenetmen Central (Executive) Committee and the chairman of Homenetmen-HASK.
The second torch was lit from the sanctuary lamp of the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin, symbolizing divine blessing, renewed faith, and the eternal spiritual light of Christian identity. The third torch was lit from the sanctuary lamp of the Holy Vardanants Chapel in the Yerablur Pantheon of Martyrs, and was blessed by Father Hovhannes Hovhannisyan, abbot of Dadivank Monastery. This torch was lit by the parents of Homenetmen-HASK members who were martyred in the Artsakh wars, in the presence of Central Committee members and the chairman of Homenetmen-HASK.
Afterwards, the three torches became one flame, a strong fire, a great torch, to ignite the hearts of the Pan-Homenetmen Games’ participants, members of Homenetmen’s global family, and its thousands of supporters. The torch, passed in a relay by 17 athletes, arrived at Republic Square at 7:30 PM.
The Parade
Shortly after the relay of the Games’ torch, the parade of delegations from the 15 participating regions began. Led by the Homenetmen-HASK brass band, the procession marched from the Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts to Republic Square. More than 700 male and female athletes and organizing committee volunteers took part, joined at the end by 200 “miracle” youth, children with special needs from Yerevan and Spitak.
The Opening
The official opening ceremony of the 12th Pan-Homenetmen Games began with the entry of the participants’ parade into the Republic Square.
Led by the Homenetmen-HASK brass band and flag bearers, the athletic delegations enthusiastically and in good order took their places in the square. Athletes had gathered from around the world: Australia, Eastern and Western United States, Artsakh, Baghdad, Jerusalem, Lebanon, Cairo, Canada, South America, including Argentina and Uruguay, Stockholm, Kuwait, Marseille, Paris, and Armenia.
The national anthems of Armenia, Artsakh, and Homenetmen were played.
The Speech of Homenetmen-HASK
The first speech of the ceremony was delivered by Artur Mkrtchyan, chairman of Homenetmen-HASK. He stated that “The Pan-Homenetmen Games have long been an established reality, an anticipated event for the global Armenian nation, just as it is a proven fact that Homenetmen is one of the rare organizations with a pan-Armenian scope.”
Mkrtchyan presented the purpose of the games and affirmed: “Today, as always, Homenetmen, through its volunteer army, overcoming all natural and artificial obstacles, realizes the 12th Pan-Homenetmen Games, demonstrating its unwavering will to progress, to support each other, to be inspired by victories, and to emerge stronger than before. We are aware of our mission. We are well aware of the value of our goals and sacrifices, the challenges facing our country and nation, the value and cost of our solidarity, and, of course, of strong homeland-diaspora ties,” he said.
The chairman of Homenetmen-HASK recalled the months of tireless work by the host regions of the games and concluded his speech by saying: “We are hopeful that we will succeed, and that you will return to your regions carrying with you new energy, enthusiasm, and strength to fulfill the great mission Homenetmen has been working toward for 107 years. This is our victory, and regardless of the outcomes of the different competitions, we all end these games in victory.”
The Speech of the ARF Bureau
Arsen Hambardzumyan spoke on behalf of the ARF Bureau. He said that the gathering of so many Armenian youth in the homeland under one flag, from different continents, is inspiring. The Pan-Homenetmen Games, he noted, are not only an opportunity to showcase athletic ability, but also a chance to expand knowledge, strengthen willpower, and reinforcing the athletic spirit.
“Youth gatherings in the homeland are testimony to our unity, our faith, and our strength: unity for our national values and identity, faith for the defense of our rights, and strength to face internal and external threats and challenges,” emphasized the ARF Bureau member.
Continuing, Hambardzumyan said, “Despite all attempts to disrupt homeland-diaspora relations and ongoing assaults on our national values and identity, Armenia and our statehood exist, and must continue to exist, as the sacred home of the Armenian nation. With this awareness, the Pan-Homenetmen Games are held in the homeland.”
Speaking about Homenetmen, Hambardzumyan stated that it is not merely an organization, but a unique school — a school of lasting values, love, brotherhood, and patriotism. Every person who has passed through this school, he said, carries the imprint of Homenetmen’s worldview and lifestyle. He emphasized that the seeds planted by Homenetmen to raise patriotic, disciplined, spirited, and committed generations have borne fruit over the past hundred years. Hundreds of thousands of Armenian youth have passed through Homenetmen, educated and elevated. Now, he concluded, it is the new generation’s turn to serve the Armenian nation, Armenia, and the Armenian Cause through dedicated action.
The Greeting of the Catholicos of All Armenians
The greeting of Catholicos Karekin II was conveyed by Bishop Vrtanes Abrahamyan, Primate of the Diocese of Artsakh. He stated that the Catholicos of All Armenians will personally convey his fatherly blessing and message to the participants of the games when they visit Holy Etchmiadzin on July 29.
Bishop Vrtanes expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the organizers, sponsors, and supporters of the Pan-Homenetmen Games. He said that such initiatives aim to keep alive in the hearts of Armenians worldwide the flame of Armenian identity and spiritual connection to their ancestors. “It is our sacred duty, wherever we are, never to forget who we are, where we come from, and where we are going by the grace of God,” he said.
Then, Bishop Vrtanes emphasized the significance of the torch lighting from three sacred sites. He said the torch from Yerablur symbolizes our collective love and devotion to our statehood. May our love and devotion to the Armenian state remain ever bright, above all circumstances.
Continuing, he affirmed that if the state is the body of the nation, the Church is its soul. Etchmiadzin is the silent witness to our identity, centuries-old traditions, and culture. The 1700-year-old holy font of the Mother Cathedral is the spiritual birthplace of every Armenian. Let us remain faithful and love our Church, so that no division in the world can separate us from each other or our homeland.
Speaking about the torch brought from Tsitsernakaberd, Bishop Vrtanes declared that for Armenians dispersed due to the Genocide, Tsitsernakaberd reminds them of their homeland, their ancestors, and the sanctity of their families. Tsitsernakaberd urges us to eternalize the memory of our ancestors. The Genocide was not just a crime against Armenians, but the ultimate crime against Armenian identity and family. Therefore, Bishop Vrtanes urged everyone to be strong in heart and spirit, and to be fortified by the spirit of faith and homeland.
The Blessing of the Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia
The patriarchal blessing of His Holiness Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia was read by Father Artavazd Sharoyan. In his message, Aram I noted that “These games, with the participation of Homenetmen’s global units, are a tangible expression of Homenetmen’s internal organizational spirit and strength. In other words, wherever Homenetmen members are, they belong to one family that has always remained loyal to our people’s moral, spiritual, and national values.”
Defining the 107-year-old organization, His Holiness Aram I affirmed that “Homenetmen has been and remains a school in which members are shaped with faith and devotion in nation-building and character-building.”
“Homenetmen has been and remains an advocate for the ideals of our nation, and its members have always been actively involved in the struggle for our people’s rights.”
“Finally, for decades, Homenetmen has become a homeland for those living outside Armenia, and today it is committed to the strengthening of a free and independent Armenia, and its sovereignty and integrity.”
Concluding his blessing, Aram I exhorted: “Homenetmen must always remain faithful to its principles, values, and ideals. It is our expectation that the participants of the 12th Pan-Homenetmen Games will renew their allegiance to Homenetmen. May God always keep Homenetmen strong and organized.”
Message from the Homenetmen Central Executive Committee
The message of the Homenetmen Central Executive Committee was delivered by Chairman Hagop Khacherian. At the beginning of his speech, he noted that the date of the opening ceremony first and foremost obliges us to fulfill our moral and spiritual duty: to remember and honor two turning points in Armenian history, the Khanasor Expedition and the heroic act of the Lisbon Five. He stated that today we mark the absence of Vartan Pakhshyan, Vicken Zakarian, Vatche Rosdomyan, Mossig Seklemian, Kevork Hadjian, Hayg Teriklian, Harout Panoyan, Hagop Astardjian, Krikor Ghazarian, Erik Galstyan, Artak Martirosyan, Artak Ishkhanyan, and Armen Arustamyan, who left us eternally.
Khacherian explained the choice of the three torch-lighting sites and stated that this gathering of Homenetmen’s Pan-Armenian family of athletes, lasting from July 24 to August 2, completes a yearlong chain of Pan-Armenian initiatives: regional scout masters’ meetings, inter-regional conference, the Jamboree in the Americas and the Middle East, and more.
“We gather and unite to draft roadmaps and implement programs to preserve Armenian identity, rescue those at risk of assimilation, and raise noble and service-minded youth and future leaders. We do all this with devotion, selflessness, and spontaneity.
“The purpose of this unique organization is singular: to serve the Armenian nation and homeland. This 107-year-old, most organized, largest, and most multifaceted youth organization will remain a steadfast beacon for all who believe they are part of the Armenian people, guardians of Armenian spiritual heritage, defenders of the Armenian Church, and voluntary soldiers of the army working toward a complete, free, and independent Armenia,” concluded the chairman of the Homenetmen Central Committee.
The Lighting of the Main Torch
After the speeches, the moment arrived to light the main torch of the games. The torch, united from the three flames of Holy Etchmiadzin, Tsitsernakaberd, and Yerablur, was carried in a relay by 17 athletes to Republic Square. There, “Miracle” athlete Anita Yeghoyan passed it to Homenetmen veteran athlete, benefactor, long-serving former Central (Executive) Committee member, and recipient of the organization’s “Merit” medal, Hratch Sisserian. He solemnly walked the torch pedestal and lit it to warm applause, marking the official opening of the Pan-Homenetmen Games.
Next, the oath ceremony took place, with referee Tro Mouradian and athlete Zoulal Bezjian taking the oath on behalf of all participants in the 12th Pan-Homenetmen Games.
At 9:00 PM, the ceremony concluded with an enthusiastic concert by the “Voices of Artsakh", “Yerevan Project” bands, and Arabo Ispiryan. The concert continued into the late evening.