January 28^th is one of the most important Armenian holidays and one of the days when Armenians are the most accountable. This is a holiday that Armenians of Armenia and the Diaspora celebrate with pleasure. It is a holiday that convinced the Armenian people that the struggle is not over and that new victories are still ahead.

On February 1, the Armenians of New Zealand’s city of Auckland celebrated the 24^th anniversary of the formation of the Armenian Army with great excitement. The event began with opening remarks by head of the local Armenia community Noubar Yaghoubian, who greeted the guests and attached importance to the organizing of such events. Patriotic songs were performed and poems were recited throughout the event, reports Gohar Baghdasaryan to Hayern Aysor from New Zealand.

Bishop Haigazoun Najarian also attached importance to the role and significance of the Armenian army and called on all Armenians to always keep the spirit of the Armenians high. His Holiness also blessed the salt and bread, after which the guests tasted the tasty dishes that the local Armenian women had prepared.

Photos by Armik Ketenjian-Ponn