The Holy Institution Panagia Soumela will hold a Pontian Genocide commemoration on Saturday, May 16, at 6 p.m. at 253 Marshall Hill Road in West Milford, New Jersey.
The observance centers on the remembrance of the Pontian Genocide and is organized by an institution closely tied to Pontian religious and cultural memory.
The evening will begin at 6 p.m. with Vespers and a memorial service led by the Very Rev. Archimandrite Evgenios Tsaramanidis, presiding priest of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Union, New Jersey.
At 7 p.m., the program will continue at the memorial monument, where flags will be raised, national anthems will be played, and wreaths will be laid. A formal program will follow at 7:30 p.m., with greetings from official guests.
Food, refreshments, coffee, and sweets will be offered. Admission and parking are free.
The event will also be livestreamed through the Holy Institution Panagia Soumela’s Facebook page and YouTube channel. Additional information is available at PanagiaSoumela.org.
The Pan-Pontian Federation of the USA and Canada will also hold a memorial service at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at the World Trade Center on Tuesday, May 19, at 6 p.m.