Armenian Genocide Remembrance

We remember, we pray, we stand in solidarity.

Thank you to Providence HYE for hosting a memorial service to honor the victims and survivors of the Armenian Genocide. The service was also a commitment to education and awareness, ensuring that this history is neither forgotten nor denied, and recognizing its lasting impact on Armenian families around the world, including many within our own Providence community. As a Catholic school, we stand firmly for human dignity, truth, and justice. By remembering the Armenian Genocide, we reject hatred and indifference and reaffirm our responsibility to stand against all forms of injustice. We also remember so that history is not repeated. In learning from the past, we commit ourselves to preventing future atrocities and standing with all who face persecution and violence.

The Armenian Genocide, also known as the Meds Yeghern ("Great Crime" in Armenian), began on April 24, 1915, when the Ottoman Turkish government systematically arrested, deported, and massacred Armenian intellectuals and community leaders in Constantinople (now Istanbul). This marked the beginning of a deliberate campaign to eliminate the Armenian population from their ancestral homeland.

Key Facts:

• 1.5 million Armenians were killed through mass executions, death marches, and starvation
• Hundreds of thousands were forcibly deported from their homes
• Ancient Armenian communities and cultural heritage were destroyed
• Thousands of churches and monasteries were demolished
• April 24, 1915 is recognized as Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day worldwide

Despite overwhelming historical evidence, the Armenian Genocide remains one of the first genocides of the 20th century and continues to be denied by the Turkish government to this day.

Today we stand in solidarity with our Armenian students, families, faculty, and alumni honoring their heritage, their stories, and their strength.