Western Diocese

DIOCESAN CLERGY PARTICIPATE IN

HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE MEMORIAL

AT SONOMA SATE UNIVERSITY

The Very Rev. Baret Dz. V. Yeretsian, representing the Primate and Rev. Fr. Sarkis Petoyan, Northern California Vicar for the Western Diocese, participated in the dedication of the Erna and Arthur Salm Holocaust and Genocide Memorial Grove at Sonoma State University, in Rohnert Park, California on Sunday, March 29.  Additionally, Very Rev. Fr. .Barthev Gulumiam was present and offered prayers for the 1.5 million Armenians killed in the 1915 Genocide. Mr. Khachig Jingiran provided appropriate musical selections for the occasion. 

The monument was first proposed by the dean of the School of Social Sciences, and professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies, Dr. Elaine Leeder.  Ms. Christyne Davidian, President of Armenians of the North Bay, was instrumental in bringing support from the local Armenian community.    In addition to commemorating the Armenian Genocide, the monument includes representation of the Native Americans, victims of the Jewish Holocaust as well as the genocide victims of Cambodia and Rwanda.  

The monument includes 460 bricks inscribed with the names and communities of those who have endured genocide.  Significantly, over 40% of the bricks were donated in memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide.