His Holiness Aram I announced the implementation of three projects as part of the preparation of the 100th Anniversary Commemorations of the Armenian Genocide. The architects of the Catholicosate are invited to complete the tasks.
1. Renovation of the Statue symbolizing the post-genocide revival of the Armenian people (Bikfaya, Lebanon).
The bronze Statue was prepared to mark the 50th commemoration of the Genocide in 1965. The land surrounding the statue will be expanded, a huge map of the genocide will be carved on a new wall to be erected and a small chapel will be built next to the statue. His Holiness Aram I is inviting Armenian benefactors to contribute to the project.
2. Genocide Museum at the Birds Nest Orphanage in Byblos (Lebanon).
The oldest building on the campus of the orphanage, which has been classified as a historical monument, will become the site of the new museum. The museum will display documents, pictures, artifacts and other personal objects of the survivors of the Genocide committed by Ottoman Turkey in 1915. The institution already has the personal belongings of the orphans, who were brought to Lebanon by Danish Missionaries soon after the genocide. This project is financially supported by Mr. Aram Bezikian from Italy. Aram is the elder son of the Catholicosate’s benefactor Mr. & Mrs. Alecco and Annie Bezikian.
3.The Martyrs’ Chapel in Antelias (Lebanon).
The Chapel was build in 1936 and later renovated in 1993 and 2007. It will undergo a total renovation in preparation for commemorative prayers in 2015. This project is financed by Mr. Zareh Bezikian from Italy. Zareh is the younger son of Mr. & Mrs. Alecco and Annie Bezikian.