On September 19, with the support of the RA Ministry of Diaspora, Komitas Chamber Music Hall of Yerevan hosted the ceremony dedicated to the 100^th anniversary of the U.S.-based Knights of Vartan Organization. RA Acting Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan also participated in the ceremony.

The Armenian national anthem was performed by the members of the Wonderful Children Choir of the Knights of Vartan School, followed by the screening of a video devoted to the activities that the Knights of Vartan Organization has carried out over the past 100 years.

RA Acting Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan read the address of RA President Serzh Sargsyan.

To the members of the Knights of Vartan Organization,

Dear friends,

I cordially congratulate you on the 100^th anniversary of the Knights of Vartan Organization.

The Armenia-centered activities of every pan-Armenian organization aimed at building the Homeland and improving the quality of life of Armenians are commendable. I am glad that the Knights of Vartan Organization is also celebrating this significant anniversary in Mother Armenia.

For a century, your organization has been carrying out its activities abroad, far away from the Homeland, but Mother Armenia has always been in the pivot of your activities. I am certain that from now on, with an office in Yerevan, you will implement more coordinated and effective activities and create new pro-national programs that will be long-term and ongoing.

I attach importance to the school construction programs of the Knights of Vartan Organization, as well as your truly knightly aspirations to solve the problems facing bordering villages. I also appreciate the organization’s contributions to the efforts for recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

By an interesting coincidence, the events dedicated to the 100^th anniversary of your organization in Yerevan fell in line with the events dedicated to the 25^th anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Armenia.

Once again, I congratulate the Sbarabeds of the Knights of Vartan Organization and all the members of the organization of all years on the anniversary. I also congratulate the Diruhis and all the members of the Daughters of Vartan Organization.

May the Knights of Vartan Organization multiply its efforts and always be an Armenia-centered organization.

Sincerely,

SERZH SARGSYAN

Fr. Priest Tatchat Davidyan conveyed the blessing of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos.

RA Acting Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan cordially congratulated the Knights and Daughters of the Knights of Vartan Organization on the anniversary and appreciated their pro-national activities that contribute to the prosperity of Armenia and Artsakh. Hranush Hakobyan attached importance to the organization’s church construction and school construction projects, as well as the programs aimed at educating the generations and helping them preserve the Armenian identity. Hranush Hakobyan particularly stated the following: “The 100-year-old Knights of Vartan Organization has returned to Armenia to carry out new activities with the wisdom that it has had for a century. Thank you. Once again, I would like to congratulate you on the anniversary and grant awards. By the decree of the RA President, the Movses Khorenatsi Medal is awarded to Hrant Gulyan. The Commemorative Medal of the Speaker of the RA National Assembly is granted to Jack and Iva Medzorian, Robert Barsam and Steven Kradjian. Bob Der-Matoian, Haig Diranian and Nicholas Stingizian receive the Gold Medal of the RA Ministry of Diaspora. The Boghos Noubar Medal of the Ministry of Diaspora is awarded to Ari Minnetian, Leo Manvelian, Dikran Sahagian and Hunan Arshagian. Father Tatchat Davidyan was awarded with the joint Hakob Meghapart Medal of the Ministry of Diaspora and the Mekhitarist Congregation in Venice.

The Knights and Daughters of the Knights of Vartan Organization were awarded with the certificates of appreciation of the RA Ministry of Diaspora.

The ceremony included speeches by Avak Sbarabed of the Knights of Vartan Organization Steven Kradjian and former principal of the Knights of Vartan Elementary School #106 Yuri Jilavian.

The event was hosted by Sargis Najaryan and included performances by singers Kevork Hajian, Arsen Grigoryan (Mro) and Mkrtich Mkrtichyan. Tsaghkazard Choir performed a “Series of Songs”, and the event ended with a performance of a song devoted to the brave Vartan by all the singers.

The Knights of Vartan Organization was established in 1916, a year after the Armenian Genocide by 16 patriots, including doctors, clergymen and entrepreneurs. The main purpose was to help Armenians having escaped the Genocide and preserve the Armenian language, culture and religion. After a decade, the organization opened its chapters in California.

Today, there are 24 chapters of the Knights of Vartan Organization and 23 chapters of the Daughters of Vartan Organization in the United States and Canada.