The Armenian community of Varna held a solemn ceremony dedicated to the 99^th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Preparations had begun months ago.

This year, for the first time ever, at the request of spiritual pastor of the community, Father, Priest Bartholomew Hakobyan and representatives of the local Armenian community, Metropolit of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church of Varna, Archbishop Hovhannes had allowed the bells of all Bulgarian Orthodox Church of Varna to ring in memory of the innocent victims of the Armenian Genocide of 1915 at 17:00 on April 24^th. The bells of St. Sargis Armenian Church also rang, marking the launch of the event dedicated to the 99^th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide near the Armenian Genocide Memorial in the churchyard.

The Requiem Mass was followed by touching speeches by Priest Bartholomew Hakobyan, Metropolit, Archbishop Hovhannes of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church of Varna, as well as students of the Armenian Sunday School and others.

Among those attending the event were Chairperson of the Diocesan Council of the Armenian Diocese of Bulgaria Andranik Shakaryan, members of the Council of Elders of Varna, district heads and the leaders of different Bulgarian organizations. The gathered laid wreaths near the Armenian Genocide Memorial and marched toward the cross-stone dedicated to the memory of the innocent victims of the Armenian Genocide near Varna Municipality from where Armenian youth moved toward the statue of Warrior Andranik Ozanyan in Galata with their cars.

Kantegh Araratian