Children'S Memorial Service Brings Holiday Help To Grieving Families

"The years are going by so fast, yet so slow. They are filled with longing and wish, to see and hug our children who live in our hearts.  It is December again – the end of year. Christmas, Happy Holidays! A very difficult time for bereaved parents.  All the joy around us make us more vulnerable as we have to live with the reality of the loss of our child. It has been 23 years since I hugged my Cathia…,” said Maria Hamparian in her remarks as she greeted bereaved families and friends at the annual Children's Memorial Service, last Sunday at the St. Gregory Armenian Church in Pasadena.

Since 1998 the second Sunday of December has been designated as Children's Memorial Day by presidential decree signed by President Bill Clinton. Since that time, Maria and Harout Hamparian have made this opportunity available for grieving families to get together and share this holiday expression together. 

Families and friends gathered in the sanctuary of the church for prayer and then adjourned to the outdoors for a candle-lighting ceremony in sync with a world-wide community of bereaved parents organized by the Compassionate Friends.

Fr. Vazken Movsesian who encouraged the first gathering and has since organized the event in Pasadena, Glendale and Burbank, explained that the first Children’s Memorial Day in 1998 was only for Cathia Hamparian. Tragically, since that time many other names have been added to the list of those remembered. Now, well over 100 names, Fr. Vazken shared the stories of many of them and their enduring legacy of love and hope.

Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Diocese Primate, reflected:

Remembering the children of God in our prayers brings light to their souls. Each of them who entered eternal rest continue to be a living prayer in our everyday life. Their names remind us of their faith in God and their love for humanity. As we lift up our hearts to say a prayer for their souls, we see their stars in the heavens. Though they are not with us physically, they are in the hands of the Almighty God.

A most memorable, moving and consoling evening came to an end with candles of light placed around an angel figurine. A special thanks to Fr. Sarkis Petoyan, Dn. Vahe Charkudian and the St. Gregory Church for hosting this year’s memorial. Grieving parents and families may contact Maria Hamparian for more information and to register their child’s name in next year’s commemoration by writing to forcathia@aol.com