The religious fathers of the village, the mayor of Anjar, ARF “Garmir Ler”Committee members, and representatives of associations and unions, gathered in the “S. Zeitlian” center, to congratulate each other the resurrection of Jesus Christ “Easter”, on Sunday, April 24, at 5:00pm, organized by the educational council of the ARF “Garmir Ler” Committee.

Rev. father Ashod Karakashian, Father Mesrob Topalian, Rev. Raffi Messerlian and The mayor of Anjar, Garo Pamboukian, took turns in congratulating the compatriots and wishing a prosperous and a successful year for the village.

The cultural board of the ARF “Garmir Ler” committee organized an event to commemorate the 96th anniversary of the Armenian genocide, on Monday, April 25, at 11:30am, in the “Hedvig” hall.

After the Lebanese and the Armenian anthems, Garo Pilavjian made the opening words on behalf of the organizing committee, asking the audience to stand one minute in silence to honor the memory of the one and a half million martyrs.

The choir of the “Harach” “K. Gulbenkian” Sec. School presented 3 songs, having as conductor Miss Shogher Taslakian, which was followed by a poem recited by Nairy Messerlian and Christine Ashkarian from the Arm. Evan. Sec. School.

 The speaker of the day Mr. Mihran S. Najarian, said that today the Armenian Diaspora is the living evidence of the Armenian Genocide, he continued saying that the day will come when the impossible will be possible and the whole world will recognize the Armenian Genocide and the crimes that Turkey has done against the Armenian race.

Arpa Aintablian recited a poem “Menk” from Jack S. Hqagopian, which was followed by a power point presentation, representing tragic photos from the Armenian Genocide.

The event ended with a prayer by Rev. Ashod Karakashian.

On Sunday, April 24 at 8:30pm, the HMEM Anjar fanfare started marching in the streets of Anjar, leading a huge crowd of compatriots towards the “Hedvig” Hall, where a vigil “Hsgoum” was going to take place to commemorate the 96th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, during an event organized by the ARF LEM “Sh. Misakian” Chapter.

 Yevig Ashkarian said the opening words of the event, on behalf of the organizing committee, who said that in spite of the predetermined and organized crimes against the Armenian people, the Turks didn’t accomplish their purpose, because the Armenian people soon was able to come out of the suppressed condition, to become stronger than before, fighting against the injustice and claiming its constitutional rights.

 Ani Taslakian and Arin Boursalian, representing the ARF "Harach" Seniors, recited a poem from “Barouyr Sevag”.

 The speaker of the day Barouyr Der Ghougasian, talked about the anti Armenian policy implemented by the Ottoman Empire in the 1800s, which was concluded by the Armenian Genocide on April 24, 1915. He continued saying that April 24 should not be only a day of remembrance, it should also be a day of unification leading us in the path of making the Armenian Genocide recognized internationally.

Later, Lale Andonian on the flute and Raffi Taslakian on the Guitar, presented “Zartir Vortyag” and “Zinvorneri Yerke”, which was followed by a power point presentation accompanied by a poem recited by Nare Tazian.

At the end of the event Vrej Hajian presented Arthur Meschian’s “El Voch Mi Voghp”, and for the first time he presented “Fire In The Heart” dedicated to the recognition of the Armenian Cause.

The attendants followed the HMEM fanfare to the Mousa Daghinan Martyrs’ Monument, where flowers and candles were placed after reciting a prayer for the souls of the martyrs.

On Sunday April 24, the 3 churches of Anjar held special masses to celebrate “Easter”, the resurrection of Jesus Christ.    

Having in mind that Easter coincides this year with April 24, the believers who attended the churches were filled with hope and faith, because we as Armenian Christians bared hardships, having the life and sufferings of Jesus Christ as an example and remembering that in the end justice will prevail.

The churches of Anjar opened their doors to the believers, on Friday afternoon to commemorate the funeral of Jesus Christ.

Following the path of Jesus Christ when he washed the feet of his students and coated them with oil, Rev. Father Ashod Karakashian washed the feet of children of different ages who wanted to be a part of the blessed service, during the “Vodenleva” Ceremony that took place in the "St. Boghos" church of Anjar on Thursday, at 5:00 pm.

Later that evening the ceremonies of “Latsi Kisher” took place in the three churches of Anjar

 The LOKH "Aghtamar" Chapter organized a gathering for children to celebrate children’s day, on the afternoon of Sunday, April 17th, in the “K. Gulbenkian” hall.

Different characters, like the clowns, the Easter Bunny and the chicken visited the children, and entertained them with a special program prepared for the occasion.

 At the end of the celebration the children went home with presents prepared by the organizing committee.

On Sunday morning, April 17th, Anjarian compatriots and children wearing beautiful clothes and holding colorful candles, accompanied with their parents, headed towards the three churches of Anjar to celebrate Palm Sunday, where special masses were held for the occasion.

After completing a four month computer course, given voluntarily by Mr. Tsolag Hergelian, and organized by the LOKH “Aghtamar” Chapter, a group of women received symbolic certificates during a celebration in the “Filhannessian” Center, on Thursday, 14th of April at 10:00 am.

The participants in the course learned practical methods of using the computer to stay in touch with the computerized world.

On March 28th, member of the House of U.S. representatives, Edem Shif, presented one of the “woman of the year” awards, in the 29th constituency in California State, to the executive Secretary of the “HOM” Central committee and an advisor of the “HMEM” Los Angeles Chapter, Maro Keshishian.

Maro Keshishian has put great effort in revitalizing the Armenian spirit, not only amongst the Armenians in the region, but in remote areas also.

We congratulate Maro and wish her further success.

The LOKH Aghtamar Chapter of Anjar organized a lecture on Friday 8th of March, at 11 am, in the “MousaLer” hall, given by Nurse Marie Flore Akrabian Aroushian.

The lecturer talked about the accidents that might happen to kids at the house and its surroundings and ways to secure them, she also talked and explained the first aid methods that could be applied to save a life and avoid a tragedy.

On the occasion of “Michink”, the women’s association of the “St. Boghos” Church, organized a gathering for women, in Restaurant “Arev”, on Friday 1st of April, starting from 2:30 pm.

Prelate Kegham Khatcherian, Rev. Fathers, representatives of associations and unions and a large number of women were present in the gathering, where the opening words were said by Mrs. Ani Keosheyian, who welcomed the guests and invited Rev. Father Ashod Karakashian, to open the gathering by a prayer.

 Prelate Kegham Khacherian was invited to convey the message of the day, who in his turn talked about “Michink” and Armenian traditions in general, stressing on their importance in keeping our Armenian uniqueness.

The feast was conducted by Miss Loucig Der Kalousdian, who created a joyful atmosphere, inviting women to play games and dance on the tunes of traditional Armenian music.