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5/20/2026
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Assumption Greek Orthodox community commemorates 107th anniversary of the Greek Pontian Genocide and AHEPA Day with Rhode Island State Senators Raptakis, Urso, and State Representative Solomon
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 The Assumption Greek Orthodox Church Community Pawtucket, Father Philipp Zymaris, Stefanos Svitlitsas, Steve Kyriakidis and Olympia AHEPA Chapter 121 President Ioannis Apostolakis attend church service to commemorate the Greek Pontian Genocide and AHEPA Day
STATE HOUSE - State Senators 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 Greek Orthodox Church and Community Center on May 17.
The day began with a Sunday liturgy service in the Assumption Greek Orthodox 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 Olympia Chapter 121 President Ioannis Apostolakis began the program thanking both Senators Leonidas “Lou” Raptakis and Lori Urso for sponsoring a Senate resolution (2026-S 3267) and State Representative Joseph 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.
Stefanos Svitlitsas of Pontian roots once again emphasized the history of the Greek Pontian Genocide. Also in attendance were Assumption Greek Orthodox Church Reverend Father Philip Zymaris ThD, Steven Kyriakidis, Vasilis Chrysanthopoulos, former AHEPA president John Lyssikatos and many Ahepan brothers of Olympia Ahepa Chapter 121.
Senators Raptakis, Urso and Representative Solomon shared their dedication to supporting their resolutions condemning the systematic attempt to exterminate entire populations by the Ottoman Turks, which directed the killing of more than 353,000 Greek Pontian, Anatolian Greeks and Assyrians living in Pontos, Greece, which included over a million and a half Armenians in their ancestral homeland during this same period.
“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, Urso and Representative Solomon.
Photo - From left to right: State Senator Lori Urso, Olympia AHEPA Chapter 121 President Ioannis Apostolakis, State Representative Joseph Solomon Jr. and State Senator Lou Raptakis
For more information, contact:
Andrew Caruolo, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-6124
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