The Pan-Pontian Federation of the U.S.A and Canada hosted a virtual commemoration of the Pontian Genocide anniversary on Facebook Live on Monday, May 19.

A prayer and memorial service began the event which will was followed by a series of welcome remarks from leaders in the Pontian community.

Opening remarks came from Gus Tsilfides as well as Haralambos Vasiliades, president of the Holy Institution Panagia Soumela, a New-Jersey based Greek Orthodox chapel which operates in affiliation with the Pan-Pontian Federation. According to the chapel’s Facebook page, its affiliation with the federation is based on the coincidence of their “common homeland, origin, history, language and culture as well as on the identity of common objectives for the preservation of our history and culture and the promotion of issues related to Pontos and Pontians.”

Anastasia Spiridis of the Asia Minor & Pontos Hellenic Research Centre also provided remarks.

Guest speakers included history professor and genocide scholar Dr. Theofanis Malkidis; Dr. Panayiotis Diamadis of the Australian Institute for Holocaust & Genocide Studies and Dr. Kyriakos Chatzikyriakides, assistant professor and chair for Pontic studies at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

The event streamed directly via the Panagia Soumela Facebook page.

Watch the full event