AGBU Montreal

10/06/2026

A towering figure in international diplomacy and a proud son of the Armenian-Cypriot community, Benon Vahe Sevan passed away on October 4, 2026, at the age of 88. For more than four decades, he served humanity through his work at the United Nations, becoming a respected Armenian voice on the global stage.

Despite his demanding international responsibilities, Sevan remained deeply connected to his Armenian heritage. In 1996, he joined the Central Board of Directors of AGBU, bringing with him decades of global experience. He also generously shared his expertise and wisdom with participants in the AGBU Global Leadership Program (formerly NYSIP), arranging for summer placements for university students at the UN under his supervision. Upon retirement, he continued to serve AGBU as its Central Board representative in Cyprus.

AGBU extends its deepest condolences to his daughter Jasmine and the greater Sevan family, as well as all who knew and admired him. Benon Sevan’s legacy—as a diplomat, humanitarian, and proud Armenian—will live on through the institutions he served and the many lives he touched.

To read AGBU’s full statement about Mr. Sevan’s storied career in global service and commitment to the Armenian community, visit: https://agbu.org/statement/agbu-remembers-former-board-member-united-nations-statesman-benon-sevan

10/05/2026

After a devastating earthquake struck Soviet Armenia in December 1988, AGBU took immediate action with a massive international relief effort. Within three days of the disaster, AGBU began distributing clothing, food, medicine, and other provisions to Armenia. AGBU facilitated medical treatments, sending specialists from abroad to treat the wounded as well as bringing victims to the US for critical procedures.

By the end of 1991, AGBU had raised over $10 million for relief efforts. AGBU also established a 10,000-ton cold food storage plant in Gyumri. In addition to humanitarian aid, AGBU renovated Gyumri School #3 for children with disabilities, the Lord Byron School, the Gyumri Art Academy (which housed the Film and Theater State Institute), and the Gyumri branches of the Yerevan State Komitas Conservatory and the Yerevan Academy of Fine Arts.

To learn more about AGBU’s storied history, visit: https://agbu.org/who-we-are

09/28/2026

Building on a longstanding tradition of providing for the next generation, AGBU leadership adapted to the changing times, realizing that career success would now mean more than higher education degrees. Internships and work experience became key to enhancing their career potential.

The AGBU New York Summer Internship Program launched in 1987 to empower young Armenians worldwide through remarkable professional opportunities at the start of their careers. The success of the flagship program in New York inspired sister programs in various cities and has evolved into the AGBU Global Leadership Program, which now includes mentorship and leadership training.

To learn more about AGBU’s storied history, visit: https://agbu.org/who-we-are

09/27/2026

Today, we remember the lives lost in the 44-Day War in 2020. May God bless the souls of those who served to protect our people.

09/27/2026

On September 25, 2026, Richard Manoogian passed away at age 90. He was the son of AGBU’s fifth president, Alex Manoogian, and his wife, Marie, and the brother of AGBU’s sixth president, Louise Manoogian Simone.

A titan of industry in his own right, Manoogian applied his talents, skills, and vast business experience to AGBU, first joining the Central Board in 1996. He was then elected to the Council of Trustees in 2006 and later transitioned to serve as Emeritus Trustee on the AGBU Council of Trustees in 2019.

His long-running success as President and CEO of Masco Corporation, a global home improvement and remodeling company his father, Alex, founded after inventing the single-handle Delta® faucet, earned him the respect and esteem of his AGBU colleagues. He remained a source of wisdom, guidance, and perspective throughout the organization’s recent history.

In a statement, AGBU President Sam Simonian remarked, “Given his own family legacy, Richard appreciated the importance of continuity and consistency while embracing opportunity and innovation. For all he achieved in life, as a business leader, a philanthropist, and a community leader, AGBU and countless Armenians touched by his largesse have been better off for it.”

To read AGBU’s full statement, visit: https://agbu.org/statement/agbu-marks-inspired-life-richard-manoogian-leader-who-understood-value-legacy

09/25/2026

09/23/2026

“Hayortyats Or” is back!

The 2026–2027 Saturday Program begins on Saturday, September 26 at AGBU Montreal! 🇦🇲❤️
A new year of Armenian language, heritage, creativity, chess, AI, programming, finance and more.

Our doors are open to everyone! Come discover our programs and join the “Hayortyats Or” family.

We look forward to welcoming you!

Every Saturday, we are here for the bright future of your children.

«Հայորդեաց Օր» Վերամուտ։

«Հայորդեաց Օր» Շաբաթօրեայ ծրագրի 2026–2027 տարեշրջանը կը սկսի Շաբաթ, Սեպտեմբեր 26-ին:
Ամէն Շաբաթ օր մենք այստեղ ենք՝ ձեր զաւակներուն արեւշատ ապագային համար։

09/21/2026

ՀՀ Անկախութեան Տօնին Նուիրուած Անմոռանալի Օր Մը՝ ՀԲԸՄ Ալեք Մանուկեան Վարժարանէն Ներս

Ուրբաթ, 18 Սեպտեմբերին, Մանուկեան պողոտային վրայ տիրեց տօնական մթնոլորտ։ Մեր դպրոցական մեծ ընտանիքը նշեց Հայաստանի Հանրապետութեան Անկախութեան 35-րդ ամեակը։🇦🇲

Հանդիսութեան ընթացքին խօսք առին վարժարանիս տնօրէն տիար Շահէ Թանաշեանն ու աշակերտները, որոնք ազատ ու անկախ Հայաստանի վառ տեսիլքով նշեցին այս պատմական օրը։ Յատուկ հրաւէրով ներկայ էր նաեւ Արժանապատիւ Տէր Գաբրիէլ Քահանայ Վարդանեան, որ իր հերթին խօսք առաւ եւ օրհնեց ՀՀ դրօշը, որմէ ետք տեղի ունեցաւ դրօշակի հանդիսաւոր բարձրացումը՝ քայլերգներու հնչիւններով։

Ապա, տօնակատարութիւնը իր գագաթնակէտին հասաւ դպրոցի դաշտին վրայ, ուր ամբողջ վարժարանը համախմբուեցաւ եւ միասնաբար հայկական շուրջպարերով լեցուց մթնոլորտը։

An Unforgettable Day Dedicated to Independence Day at AGBU Alex Manoogian School

On Friday, September 18, a high festive spirit filled Manoogian Boulevard! Our large school family came together to celebrate the 35th Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Armenia.🇦🇲

During the ceremony, opening remarks were delivered by the school director, Mr. Chahé Tanachian, as well as the students. Rev. Fr. Gabriel Vardanyan was also present as a special guest; he delivered his address and blessed the Armenian flag, which was then solemnly raised to the sound of national anthems.

The celebration reached its peak in the school courtyard, where the entire school gathered to fill the air with traditional Armenian round dances proving that we are the proud heirs of our independence and culture.

09/21/2026

The Lebanese Civil War ushered in a new era of humanitarian crisis and migration, and families who had finally settled and created a thriving community once again faced the reality of being torn apart by violence. In response, AGBU mobilized globally to fund emergency aid and establish additional medical dispensaries, worked with the Catholicosate in Antelias, and served on the Central Committee for Economic and Social Rehabilitation of Armenians in Lebanon.

AGBU’s centers, including the Alex Manoogian Cultural and Athletic Center, served as a safe haven for victims of the war and the mass emigration from Lebanon, as well as for other countries facing political tensions in the region, resulting in a demographic shift in the diaspora.

To learn more about AGBU’s storied history, visit: https://agbu.org/who-we-are

09/14/2026

The 1950s and 60s saw an era of reorganization focused on developing formal educational approaches in the Middle East. It was a shift from AGBU-subsidized schools to AGBU-administered ones. In addition, as the socio-economic standing of Armenians generally improved, more students sought university degrees. AGBU donors quickly trusted the organization with endowments to support higher-education scholarships, which continue today. During this time, the Melkonian Institute in Cyprus also shifted its educational approach from trade school training to a more traditional curriculum for boarding students.

To learn more about AGBU’s storied history, visit: https://agbu.org/who-we-are