NEWS

This year’s commemorations of the 111th anniversary of the tragic events for the Armenian nation in Ottoman Turkey began on April 23! We honored the victims with an Armenian Catholic Mass celebrated by Father Józef Naumowicz at the hospitable Dominican Church on Freta Street. Following a mass a unique musical event organized by the NUR Cultural Initiatives Foundation took place. Armenian soprano Nelly Saghatelyan opened the concert with a folk lullaby followed by the renowned Cracow Singers choir, which provided the numerous attendees at the Freta Church with an hour-long musical feast. The singers performed works by Komitas, Krzysztof Penderecki, Henryk Mikołaj Górecki, Wacław z Szamotuły, as well as Edvard Grieg and Orlando di Lasso. It was a show of the highest artistic caliber and great thanks to the event organizers for such a dignified commemoration of this anniversary of the Armenian genocide so incredibly important for every Armenian . On April 24, at 7:00 PM, as every year, the Warsaw Armenian community  gathers under the khachkar in the Armenian Square on Powsińska Street to commemorate the 111th anniversary of these tragic events.
And really April 24th was the day the Armenian community gathered under the khachkar in Armenian Square. Armenian Catholic clergy, Father Józef Naumowicz and Apostolic Father Minas prayed for the victims of the Armenian Genocide of 1915. Traditionally, wreaths and flowers were laid and candles were lit.
We provide a link to the information in KAI:

 https://www.ekai.pl/koncert-w-111-rocznice-ludobojstwa-ormian/

On April 8th, a conference in memory of Professor Alfred Ohanowicz, a distinguished lawyer civilian was held at Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw. It was organized by representatives of the Armenian Youth Organization in Poland, led by Susanna Garibian, a student at the Faculty of Law. Prof. Andrzej Gulczyński, PhD, hab., who had met Professor Ohanowicz while still a student, came to this ceremony to deliver an inquisitive lecture from the Professor’s alma mater, the University of Poznań. In his lecture, titled “Between Armenian Tradition and European Legal Culture“, he recalled the Professor’s connections with Polish Armenians, presented his academic career, and outlined his most significant achievements and contributions to Polish civil law and Polish legislation. The next speaker was Professor Dariusz Fuchs, PhD, hab., who devoted his lecture, Freedom of Contract According to Professor Alfred Ohanowicz, or Timeless Tips for the Polish Codifier, to proving the continued relevance of the legal principles developed years ago by the Professor. After a short break, we had the opportunity to listen remotely to a lecture by Adam Mickiewicz University Professor Agnieszka Pyrzyńska. In her lecture, “Professor Alfred Ohanowicz, the founder of Poznań civil studies”, described his connections with the University of Poznań and his immense contribution to the development of Polish civil studies. She recalled the relevance of his legal achievements, which the Supreme Court cited in its rulings as recently as 2025. The final speaker was attorney-at-law Armen Artwich, who devoted his presentation to the topic of “The Relationship Between Direct Enrichment and Tortious Liability according to the concept of Professor Alfred Ohanowicz“. He presented this complex topic in an accessible way for an audience outside the legal world. The interest in Professor Alfred Ohanowicz of the young organizers of the Conference ensued not only from his recognition of his  They deserve enormous praise for admonishing and highlighting the Professor, inviting such engaging lecturers and efficiently organizing the event.

Dear Readers!

“A passion for Armenian history has become the cornerstone and driving force behind this endeavor,” said Professor Piotr Jedynak, Rector of the Jagiellonian University, during the ceremonial inauguration of the Sadok Barącz Workshop on the History of Polish Armenians. These words can be applied to many of the initiatives described in this issue of “Awedis,” aimed at preserving the heritage of Polish Armenians for future generations. In this area, it is particularly worth highlighting the efforts of the international and interdisciplinary group of researchers involved in developing the source series “Historical Monuments of Polish Armenians.” In this issue, we present seven volumes, published thanks to funding from the National Program for the Development of Humanities, demonstrating the diversity of sources that can be used to discover the richness of Armenian history. We also commemorate two individuals who made exceptional contributions to the cause of preserving Armenian heritage and who passed away in recent months: Ewa Abgarowicz, the first president of the Foundation for the Culture and Heritage of Polish Armenians, and Zbigniew Kościów, a researcher of the musical culture of Polish Armenians. At the same time, however, we are keeping a close eye on Armenia, which is not indifferent to the Israeli and US attack on Iran. Witold Repetowicz highlights the political and economic consequences of the March aggression in his extensive analysis. As always, our pages also offer a chance to meet Armenian artists and their works, as well as the wealth of Armenian initiatives. We wish you a pleasant read! We invite you to familiarize yourself with the contents of issue 66 of Awedis: www.awedis.ormianie.pl

On Wednesday, March 18, 2026,took place the inauguration of the activities of the Workshop named after Sadok Barak on the History of Polish Armenians . It was established at the Institute of History of the Jagiellonian University.
As we read on the Institute’s Facebook page: “We are pleased that a research center on the history of Armenians in Poland – from the Middle Ages to the present day – with particular emphasis on socio-economic issues, culture, the history of the Armenian Church, Polish-Armenian relations and the history of the diasphora, has been established at the Jagiellonian University.Its activities will include both scientific projects and popularization activities, including the organization of conferences, seminars and workshops, as well as the development of research infrastructure (including a digital repository of sources).The inauguration of the Workshop is an important step in the development of research on the history of Armenians in Poland and in strengthening international cooperation in this area”.
The Foundation for the Culture and Heritage of Polish Armenians was represented at the inauguration by Pawel Krzeczunowicz, a member of the Foundation’s Board. More information will be available in the next issue of the quarterly “Awedis”.

On February 11, 2026, the Chairman of the Council of the Foundation for the Culture and Heritage of Polish Armenians Prof. Dr. hab. Krzysztof Stopka announced that following the resignation of the previous one a new Management Board was appointed for a three-year term. The following persons joined the Management Board after expressing in advance their consent: Pawel Krzeczunowicz, Dr. Andrzej Glinski – the new President of the Management Board, and Dr. Piotr Kondraciuk.We wish the new Board successful implementation of all statutory tasks, success in their work on popularizing Armenian heritage and further development of the Foundation.On behalf of the Foundation Council, Professor Krzysztof Stopka thanked the previous Management Board.

Dear Readers!
Heritage and testimony – these are the two leading themes of this issue of “Awedis”. Both concepts carry a certain ambiguity referring to the past and at the same time urging us to look to the future in order to transfer them through generations. Being conscious of this task, we invite you, first, on a journey in the footsteps of the Skwera Gospel Book. Many are beautiful manuscripts but not all have such a complex history as this one, which forms part of the Archives of the Foundation for the Culture and Heritage of Polish Armenians and from May 2024 is presented to the general public at an exhibition at the National Library in Warsaw. This manuscript serves as a certain sort of platform between centuries, nations and individual people. We are returning in this edition of Awedis to the subject of this treasure of world culture in conjunction with the premiere of the film “Lost, Found, Hidden,” directed by Vahram Mkhitaryan. The screening at the Palace of the Rzeczpospolita brought together many individuals who have contributed to the preservation, study and generalizing of knowledge about the Skevra Gospels. Przemysław Goławski questioned them about the history, meaning and emotions connected with the research of this extraordinary manuscript.
Secondly, we also highly recommend the text by Rev. Prof. Józef Naumowicz, which highlights the figure and life testimony of the soon-to-be sainted Ignatius Maloyan. “The canonization, taking place in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican will be not only a religious act but also a symbolic reminder of the tragic history of the Armenians and the need to remember the victims of genocide,” the author states.
Witold Repetowicz’s article, which recounts the history of difficult Armenian-Azerbaijani relations is also incredibly interesting – especially in the context of the agreement signed in Washington in August between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

We also invite you to study and analyze of current numerous events reports prepared by Armenian organizations. These reports refer to the entire country – from Pomerania to Silesia. We hope it will be an interesting experience and adventure.
www.awedis.ormianie.pl

Editorial Team

Dear Readers!
The beginning of June brought great joy to the faithful of the Armenian Catholic Church. This was due to the historic visit of Catholicos-Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian who spent three days in Poland visiting cities such as Warsaw and Gliwice. In addition to reporting on these events, we recommend the interview the Patriarch gave to “Awedis” at that time, discussing, among other things, the Jubilee of the Eastern Churches celebrated in Rome with the participation of Pope Leo XIV.
In this issue we also pay a special attention to anniversaries important to Armenians.
On the one hand, those related to the painful history of the Armenian nation including the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide unleashed in 1915 in the Ottoman Empire and the 20th anniversary of the resolution of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland condemning this Turkish crime, as well as ,the 120th anniversary of the Armenian massacre in Baku.
On the other hand, we also remember the joyful anniversaries related to the recent history of Armenians in Poland such as: the 35th anniversary of the Armenian Cultural Society, the 50th anniversary of the priestly ministry of Father Prelate Cezary Annusewicz, parish priest of the Armenian Catholic northern parish, and the 10th National Pilgrimage of Armenians to Holy Mountain Polanowska.
Let us also mention that Dr. Witold Repetowicz continues his series on Armenia’s relations with its neighbors, presenting this time, a less obvious perspective devoted to the history of Armenian-Kurdish relations which are also overshadowed by the history of the Armenian massacre, but in which both nations also find common interests.
We hope that this quarterly review of news from the Armenian world will turn out for you an interesting reading. We leave you with it, wishing you a happy holiday!
Current issue of Awedis: www.awedis.ormianie.pl

His Holiness Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian, Catholicos-Patriarch of Cilicia for the Catholic Armenians, accompanied by Mitred Prelate Nareg Naamoyan, Patriarchal Exarch of Jerusalem and Amman and Deacon Krikor Boyajyan honored the headquarters of the Foundation for the Culture and Heritage of Polish Armenians with his presence on June 7. The guests arrived with our Spiritual Guardian, the Dzharagujny Vardapet, Rev. Prof. Józef Naumowicz.
As befits this special visit, we welcomed our guests with a yeast cake as was the custom among Polish Armenians. We had hosted our distinguished guest at the Foundation many years ago back in its old headquarters and His Holiness noticed the favorable change in surroundings. After a presentation by the assembled Foundation team Armen Artwich led the tour of the museum exhibition, describing the most interesting exhibits and presenting the archives, while Father Professor Józef Naumowicz showed us the reliquaries. The guests viewed the priceless exhibits with interest, asking for details.

The visit concluded with entries in the visitors’ book and a traditional group photo.
The next important element of the distinguished guest’s visit to Warsaw was a solemn Holy Mass in the Armenian rite. The Chapel of Our Lady on Łazienkowska Street was filled with a crowd of the faithful led by the Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to Poland His Excellency Alexander Arzoumanian and his wife. After the conclusion of the Mass gifts were presented. The Patriarch presented us with a commemorative medal representing the unity of the Churches. His Holiness received a commemorative chapel from Father Joseph from the Częstochowa Sanctuary and we the faithful, received wishes written in Armenian against a background taken from the Skewra Gospels.

There was also a similar gift for a special occasion – the fortieth anniversary of his priestly ordination for Father Professor Józef Naumowicz. Then long conversations followed with questions for the Patriarch which he eagerly and comprehensively answered. The guest was also presented with a letter concerning the martyrdom of priests Dionizy Kajetanowicz and Adam Bogdanowicz with the hope of their beatification. At the end, we met with our guests for the traditional tea, coffee and sweets. Despite the dreary rainy weather this day will long remain in our memory as a cheerful day of visits from an exceptional guest, a particularly warm and straightforward man with immense spiritual charisma.

On June 8, the guests went to the Armenian community in Gliwice and to Radwanowice, where they were praying at the grave of the late Father Tadeusz Isakowicz-Zaleski.

May 17, 2025 … it was quite an exceptional time!

Saturday’s meeting began with a Holy Mass at Łazienkowska Street with the participation of a special guest, a singer from Armenia, Mr. Aram Gabaghchourian from Yerevan. His vocal participation in the liturgy will remain an unforgettable experience. After the Holy Mass Aram Gabaghchourian enchanted us with a performance of three pieces by Komitas. We immortalized the meeting with a commemorative group photo.

Despite the poor, wet weather the Museum Night began at 6:00 p.m. At that time, a walk along the Armenian trail from the Church of St. Anne began too. More guests were already arriving at the Foundation’s headquarters from 6:00 p.m. A large group of young people from the Armenian Youth Organization in Poland also showed up who led Armenian dance lessons. They were a huge success so the young people repeated these lessons with commitment. At first, in the open air and at the end after 10 p.m. in a huge circle the guests led by cleric Narek danced around our central showcase in the Foundation’s headquarters. The sounds of Armenian melodies and dances were met with great applause and brought much joy to the participants.
Apart from the new visitors whom we guided around our two exhibitions with all the strength of our modest Team and the dances there was another extremely

Prelekcja konserwatorki szat liturgicznych p. Ewy Soszko-Dziwisińskiej

interesting event. We were visited by one of the two fabric conservators who take care of our exceptionally rich and priceless collection of liturgical vestments. Her story about their origin, or more precisely about the origin and creation of the fabrics from which they were sewn was fascinating. The gathered listeners asked many detailed questions, including how threads and embroidery made of gold and silver which appear very often in these fabrics are created. The story of how patterned velvets were hand-woven over three hundred years ago was equally wonderful.

Theoretically, we were supposed to end this Night before midnight, but it did not work out. The last guests left well after midnight. Summing up, an exceptional Saturday full of interesting events and the satisfaction and appreciation of the visitors give us great satisfaction and “drive” for further action!

mot, photo Władysław Deńca

Dear Readers!

The 110th anniversary of Medz Yeghern is upon us. The violence unleashed in the Ottoman Empire on April 24, 1915, when 2,345 members of the Armenian elite were arrested and murdered in Istanbul in beastly way. It lasted for years and claimed 1.5 million victims. More than a century has passed since this heinous crime and Armenians still have to fight for truth and justice. And they badly need allies in this. The Republic of Poland, 20 years ago – in the form of a resolution of the Sejm – officially called the Armenian massacre in the Ottoman Empire genocide emphasizing that its condemnation “is a moral duty of all humanity.” Marshal Marek Jurek tells us about the background of the work on this historic resolution and its accompanying repercussions. In this issue, we also recall the figure of Bohdan Gębarski who over half a century ago fought to propagate knowledge on the international forum about the Turkish genocide committed against the Armenian nation in 1915.This earned him the gratitude of the Armenians symbolized by the khachkar on his grave donated by the Catholicos of All Armenians Vazgen I. We also encourage you to familiarize yourself with the history of Turkish-Armenian relations dating back to the Middle Ages, which were marked by the cruelty of the Seljuk invaders from the very beginning. However, as Witold Repetowicz reminds us in his article mutual relations also had their brighter moments. This year, the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Armenian Genocide coincides closely with Easter celebrated a few days earlier. May this special time help us look at the painful history of the Armenian nation with the belief that the cross is the beginning of the Resurrection.

Editor’s Office
www.awedis.ormianie.pl