On Thursday, April 23, 2009, students coming from 6 different Armenian Catholic high schools participated in the march organized by the Directors' Committee of the Armenian Catholic Schools in Lebanon, in order to commemorate the Armenian Genocide.

Students from Grade 5 to 12, as well as their teachers, the schools' principals, administrative staff, and school employees, together marched from the campus of Mesrobian High School, Bourj Hammoud, to the Patriarchate of the Armenian Catholics of Cilicia, Ashrafieh.


After reaching the Patriarchate, an artistic program, which was prepared by the students, took place. The opening speech was addressed by student Megheti Minassian from Mekhitarian School. In her message, she emphasized on the preciousness of the blood shed in the deserts of Der Zor, and encouraged the Armenian youth to proclaim their rights and repossess the Western Armenia.

The opening speech was followed by a performance by student Nancy Avakian from Hripsimiantz High School on violin: "Groung". After that, a group of students from St. Agnes School recited a poem by Kevork Emine: "Menk". Student Zaven Deghelian from Immaculate Conception school of Anjar continued the artistic program by singing "Adanayi Voghp".


Following that, Mrs. Rita Boyadjian, the principal of the Armenian Catholic Kevork Harboyan High School, came forward to address her speech to the audience: "We used to have Armenians from different unions and organizations come together to the Armenian Catholic Patriarchate, in this time in year, to commemorate the Armenian Genocide. However, this year is special for our community: Having you here as students of Armenian Catholic community, in particular, to come forward to pay respect to the one and a half million Armenians who fell. You are the future leaders of our community. We had the privilege to see the Republic of Armenia and Artsakh. My wish is that you continue the fight for the Armenian Cause, in order for you to win it and repossess the lost Armenian lands."

After the speech of Mrs. Boyadjian, Mesrobian choir performed "Hankchetsek Touk Antor" and "Hayrenikis Hed". And last but not least, the Kevork Harboyan dance group performed "Naz Bar".


At the end of the artistic program, His Beatitude Nerses Bedros XIX, the Catholicos Patriarch of Cilicia of the Armenian Catholics, encouraged the students to stand firm in faith, and ask for the Armenian rights by trusting God. He ended his speech by the traditional "Bahbanich" blessing.