On May 22, 2018, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America and Mexico presided over the dedication of the Garden of Sardarabad at Eternal Valley Memorial Park and Mortuary.
The monument was dedicated on the 100th anniversary of the victorious Battle of Sardarabad and establishment of the First Republic of Armenia.
The Primate was accompanied by Diocesan clergy the Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Dz. V. Yardemian, Archpriest Fr. Sarkis Petoyan, the Rev. Fr. Vazken Movsesian, the Rev. Fr. Yeghia Isayan, the Rev. Fr. Yeremia Khachatryan, the Rev. Fr. Serovbe Alanjian and the Rev. Fr. Yeghishe Ksachikyan.
Armenian-Americans and representatives of civic officials participated in the ceremonial rite. In his remarks, His Eminence expressed his gratitude to the leadership of Eternal Valley Memorial Park for the noble initiative.
Referencing to the significance of the monument, Archbishop Derderian said, “This is a historic day in the life of the Armenian community, as we all witness the rise of a monument which reminds the nation of Armenia and the world about the heroic Battle of Sardarabad for the defense of our Christian Faith and the ancestral land of Armenia.”
Below we present the Primate’s message in its entirety.
Distinguished guests,
Truly, this is a historic day in the life of the Armenian community as we all witness the rise of a monument, which reminds the nation of Armenia and the world about the heroic Battle of Sardarabad for the defense of our Christian Faith and the ancestral land of Armenia.
Therefore, this memorial monument dedicated on the occasion of the 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Sardarabad and the 100th Anniversary of the First Republic of Armenia will remind the visitors of the historic chapter in our nation’s life when Armenia’s sons and daughters sacrificed their lives for their faith and Motherland. The first genocide of the 20th century committed against the Armenians was perpetrated by the Ottoman Turks in 1915. A million and a half Armenians were massacred and hundreds of thousands of Armenians were deported from their ancestral homes and lands. The United States has been the home of many, who took refuge in this country and have established communities all across the country, with the State of California being the most populous community with many churches, schools and institutions.
Only a few short years later, as orphans and displaced Armenians sought to find meaning and purpose in their lives, danger of annihilation loomed on Eastern Armenia when our nation’s soldiers, led by the spirit of Holy Etchmiadzin saved our Motherland and pushed back the enemy forces and with the victorious Battle of Sardarabad, giving birth to the first Republic of Armenia.
Today, one hundred years later, Armenians around the world continue to live and to create with the victorious spirit of Sardarabad.
The building of this beautiful monument, which was initiated by Dignity Memorial, through the leadership of Anthony Lampe, Market Director, Sam Azar, Market Sales Director and Arthur Keledjian, Market Sales Manager, Curtis Woods – Lampais, manager, is symbolic of life. The souls of those who depart from this earthly life shall find rest and comfort in Christ’s Resurrection, for the monument symbolizes and instills in us the vision of rebirth. I together with my brothers in Christ and the community thank you for your initiative, which will undoubtedly and continuously inspire us all with the vision of our forefathers and the respect rendered to the martyred nation of Armenia by Dignity Memorial. I assure you that as of today, thousands of people will be informed of this monument and will be inspired with what they see. They will praise your initiative and be so thankful. I pray and hope that you will one day visit Armenia and see the sacred land of Sardarabad.
Eternal Valley Memorial Park and Mortuary is located at 203287 N. Sierra Highway, Newhall, CA 91321.
