On Monday, April 24, Rev. Fr. Samuel Ajemian, Pastor of St. Stephen’s Church, of New Britain, CT, celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York. In his homily, Fr. Samuel said that the martyrs are a source of spiritual strength, driving us to never give up on our values in the face of any kind of threats before us.
Following the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan, Prelate, presided over the blessing of the madagh, accompanied by Very Rev. Sahag Yemishian, Eastern Prelacy Vicar and Pastor of Sts. Vartanantz Church, of Ridgefield, NJ; Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian, Pastor of St. Sarkis Church, of Douglaston, NY; Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, Pastor of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral; Rev. Fr. Bedros Kadehjian, as well as the celebrant. 
Afterwards, with the clergy at the head, a column including youth from the Armenian Youth Federation and Homenetmen marched to the permanent mission of Azerbaijan to the UN to protest that country’s aggression against Artsakh and Armenia, which was followed by a march to the Turkish mission.
Before the Turkish mission, Archbishop Anoushavan said that Turkey’s negationist policy only reinforces Armenians’ resolve. The sooner the Genocide is recognized, followed by reparations, the better the chances are for normalizing relations between both nations as well as for the development of the region. “The road to peace can only be paved with justice,” the Prelate said.