On Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 17:00, on the occasion of the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, a “Ekevetsi” and “Vigil” service was held at the Cathedral of St. James in a prayerful atmosphere in memory of the holy martyrs.
At 18:15, a march dedicated to the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide took place, with the participation of a large number of Armenians and non-Armenians, holding banners and flags, keeping alive the memory of the innocent victims and reaffirming the demand for historical justice.
At the end of the march, a candlelight vigil was held in front of the Armenian Genocide memorial, where participants paid their respects to the memory of 1.5 million martyrs, reaffirming their commitment to national remembrance, justice, and the sacred path of advocacy.
On April 24, 2026, on the Day of Remembrance of the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide, commemoration ceremonies were held in Jerusalem.
At 08:00 in the morning, a morning service was held at the Cathedral of St. James. Afterwards, under the presidency of His Beatitude Archbishop Nurhan Manougian, Patriarch of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, a Divine and Immortal Liturgy was celebrated at the Holy Altar, during which a sermon was delivered by the Very Reverend Father Vazgen Vardapet Alekyan.
After the liturgy, clergy and seminarians, led by the sacristan archbishop, proceeded in procession with hymns to the Armenian Genocide Memorial, where a prayer service for the intercession of the holy martyrs was held.
Subsequently, speeches were delivered by Aram Khachaturian on behalf of the Joint Committee of Jerusalem in Armenian, and by the Chancellor of the Holy See, the Very Reverend Father Aghan Vardapet Gogchyan, in English.
A wreath-laying ceremony then took place. On behalf of the Holy See, a wreath was laid by the sacristan archbishop, His Grace Archbishop Sevan Gharibyan. Additional wreaths were laid by Armenia’s Ambassador to Israel, Mr. Arman Hakobyan, the representative of the Joint Committee of Jerusalem Aram Khachaturian, Steve Jambazian of the Jerusalem Benevolent Union, Vigen Lefegeyan of the RAG, Hagop Sevan of the ARF, Sarkis Jernazian of the Homenetmen, Vazgen Demirjian of HMEM, Noyemi Nalbandian of the Armenian Relief Society, as well as Gevorg Nalbandian of the Jinishian Foundation.
On the same day, a demonstration also took place in Tel Aviv in front of the Turkish embassy, which had changed its address.
A memorial evening dedicated to the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide was also held at the Armenian Genocide Square in Haifa.
Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav emphasized in his speech the importance of teaching the Armenian Genocide in the city’s schools, noting that it could promote awareness and condemnation within broader segments of Israeli society.
It is recalled that in 2023 the Haifa City Council unanimously recognized the Armenian Genocide and officially named Square No. 5310 in the city center “Armenian Genocide Square.”
Speech by Father Tirair Vardapet Hovakimyan, spiritual leader of Haifa and northern cities:
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In Petah Tikva, at the Charles Aznavour Park, a memorial evening was also held today dedicated to the 111th anniversary of the holy martyrs of the Armenian Genocide. The event was attended by representatives of Armenian organizations in Petah Tikva, Armenia’s Ambassador to Israel Mr. Arman Hakobyan with his wife, and Father Suren Priest Ghazaryan, spiritual leader of the central region.
Mr. Hakobyan presented a statement from the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Father Suren Ghazaryan, in addition to his remarks, conducted a liturgical service in memory of the innocent victims.
Wreath-laying, flower tribute ceremonies, and incense burning were also held.
Sources:
Official Facebook page of the Brotherhood of St. James in Jerusalem
Facebook page of Father Tirair Hovakimyan, spiritual leader of Haifa and northern cities
