Assumption Parish Commemorates 107th Dark Anniversary of Greek Pontian Genocide

PAWTUCKET, RI – Rhode Island State Senator Leonidas P. Raptakis (D-Dist. 33, Coventry, West Greenwich), State Senator Lori Urso ( D-Dist. 8, Pawtucket) and State Representative Joseph Solomon Jr. (D-Dist. 22, Warwick) with the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church community of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, hosted a commemoration of the 107th anniversary of the Greek Pontic Genocide and AHEPA Day at the Assumption Church and Community Center on May 17.

The day began with the Sunday Divine Liturgy service at Assumption Church commemorating the 107th anniversary of the Greek Pontic Genocide and AHEPA Day.  Following the service at the church, the community gathered in the community room where AHEPA Olympia Chapter 121 President Ioannis Apostolakis began the program thanking both Senators Raptakis and Urso for sponsoring a Senate resolution (2026-S 3267) and State Representative Solomon for introducing a House resolution (2026-H 8567) recognizing the Greek, Pontian, Assyrian and Armenian Genocides that took place over 107 years ago. Senator Raptakis also extended greetings from Senate Majority Whip David P. Tikoian (D-Dist. 22, Smithfield, North Providence, Lincoln) who could not attend this year’s commemoration.

Rhode Island State Senators Lou Raptakis and Lori Urso, Steven Kyriakides, Assumption Greek Orthodox Church presiding priest Fr. Philip Zymaris, Stefanos Svitlitsas, and Olympia AHEPA Chapter 121 President Ioannis Apostolakis receiving this year’s Senate Resolution. Photo: Courtesy of Sen. Raptakis’ office

Stefanos Svitlitsas of Pontian descent once again noted the history of the Greek Pontian Genocide. Also in attendance were presiding priest of the Assumption community Rev. Fr. Philip Zymaris, ThD, Steven Kyriakidis, Vasilis Chrysanthopoulos, former AHEPA president John Lyssikatos and many Ahepan brothers from Olympia Chapter 121.

Senators Raptakis and Urso and Representative Solomon shared their dedication to supporting their resolutions condemning the systematic attempt to exterminate entire populations by the Ottoman Turks, who directed the killing of more than 353,000 Greek Pontian, Anatolian Greeks and Assyrians living in Pontos, which included over a million and a half Armenians in their ancestral homeland during this same period.

Rhode Island State Senator Lori Urso presenting the Senate resolution to Assumption Greek Orthodox Church presiding priest Fr. Philip Zymaris. Photo: Courtesy of Sen. Raptakis’ office

“This resolution pays tribute to the survivors of this atrocious period, as well as their descendants, who have made countless contributions to the enrichment of our culture and our way of life here in the Ocean State, and who stand as inspirations to oppressed people around the world. May we never forget the brutality the Pontians experienced at the hands of the Turkish Ottoman Empire, and may we learn the hard lessons from the past so that the history of the Greek Pontian and Armenian Genocides, and that of all genocides, never happens again,” said Senators Raptakis and Urso and Representative Solomon.