Knights Of Vartan Ararat Lodge 1 & Daughters of Vartan Arpie Otyag 9 Boston

09/21/2026

Happy Armenian Independence Day to our fellow Armenians throughout the world.

08/21/2026

Ararat Lodge members extended their arms and good wishes last night to those whom we hope will soon join our ranks as members of the Knights of Vartan. Our annual Recruitment BBQ was held on Thursday evening at the AGBU Center in Watertown. It was an evening of warm fellowship and a chance for our guests, some of whom were friends or relatives of our current members, to learn more about our brotherhood and ask whatever questions they had. Sbarabed Sarkis Chekiian welcomed us all and thanked the organizers of the recruitment BBQ for all their efforts. We enjoyed a scrumptious meal of grilled beef and chicken, rice pilaf, salad, along with a dessert assortment of tasty cookies. Our very special thanks to the organizers: Shant Cimenian, Alexan Topalian , George Yeghyayan, Alex Avakian,George Sajonian, Kevork Atinizian, Ari Atinizian, Michael Manoukian and advisors NS Arakel Yacubian, Ara Beurekjian, and Jiro Iskenderian.

Photos by Asbed David Medzorian, Ararat Lodge No. 1, Boston.

07/25/2026

Happy 95th Birthday to Nakhgin Dirouhie Eva Medzorian of Arpie Otyag No. 9 from her sisters and brothers in the Daughters and Knights of Vartan. ND Eva spent the day with family and friends and enjoyed a lovely party, complete with music performed by Eva herself.

07/04/2026

May you and your loved ones enjoy a Happy and Safe Fourth of July as we celebrate America’s 250th Birthday. Happy Independence Day from your Brothers and Sisters in Ararat Lodge No. 1 and Arpie Otyag No. 9 here in Boston.

06/21/2026

To all of our fathers, grandfathers, great-grandfathers, and fathers to be in the Knights of Vartan, Happy Father’s Day from your brothers and sisters in Ararat Lodge No. 1 and Arpie Otyag No. 9 in Boston.

06/12/2026

On Monday, June 8th, Ararat Lodge honored 30 graduating high school seniors from Greater Boston with certificates of recognition and awarded scholarships to 12 college and university students for their academic achievements and community involvement during a special evening at the Saint James Cultural Center in Watertown. This annual Scholarship Night brought together students and their families from across Eastern Massachusetts. The program began as the high school graduates walked to Saint James Armenian Church, where they received words of wisdom and compassion from Pastor and Ararat Lodge Asbed Der Arakel Aljalian, joined by the Pastor of Saint Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic Church, Very Rev. Fr. Hrant Tahanian. The program itself began with a prayer by the two pastors. The rest of the evening was filled with words of praise and encouragement along with beautiful music. Among the speakers was Berj Chekijian, a past Ararat Lodge Scholarship recipient and the son of our Sbarabed, Sarkis Chekijian. The family connection continued with our Sbarabed’s nephew, high school graduate and honoree Saro Iskenderian, who serenaded us with a beautiful rendition of the Armenian song, “Giligia”. Avak Sbarabed Bob Avakian told each of the honorees that the Knights and Daughters of Vartan would be there for them in the years to come, as mentors and for support. He also encouraged them to one day become a Knight or Daughter of Vartan and serve their fellow Armenians both here in the diaspora and in Armenia itself. The evening’s keynote speaker, Asbed Peter Koutoujian, the Sheriff of Middlesex County, offered his mottos for helping the young honorees reach their full potential in life. In order, they are:
Sheriff Koutoujian shared these mottos: The harder you work, the luckier you are. Always be the most prepared in the room. Find a good mentor and say their name for the rest of your life. He told graduates he sees in them the brightness of our future and a new awakening. He also expressed hope that they would inspire a new "Zartonk," a reference to the cultural awakening of the late nineteenth century that sparked a renaissance within the Armenian nation.
The high school graduates were honored with certificates and a copy of the book, Tempest-Born Dro by Simon Vratsian. The gifts were presented to them by Sbarabed Sarkis Chekijian and Avak Sbarabed Bob Avakian. The book, a biography of General Dro—a heroic Armenian military figure of the early twentieth century—was a fitting tribute, as he is buried in nearby Cambridge. Scholarships were presented to the college and university recipients, all of whom had completed at least one semester at their respective institutions.
Special thanks were extended to the Scholarship Committee, chaired by Asbed Toros Yeterian, who was joined by Yeretz Ara Beurekjian, Tignabah Andrew Airasian, Asbeds George Sajonian, Michael Manouklian, and Shant Cimenian. The evening’s dinner was organized by Sbarabed Sarkis Chekijian, the Ararat Lodge Tivan, and Nakhgin Sbarabed Levon Belekian, ensuring the event ran smoothly.

Photos by Asbed David Medzorian, Ararat Lodge No. 1 in Boston

05/11/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1D9yhjDMyF/?mibextid=wwXIfr

By Robert Avakian There is more to life than we know. We stride across this earth everyday as it orbits, but we don’t feel the movement. Indeed, we carry on […]

05/05/2026

Some stylish fashions were created tonight thanks to the ladies of Arpie Otyag No. 9. They hosted a fundraiser at Belmont's Holy Cross Armenian Catholic Church, where they and their friends used paintbrushes to create unique, eye-catching designs on t-shirts. The fundraiser, which raised money for the Kapak Math Club in Armenia's Syunik Region, was led by artist Karine Abgaryan from Tavush Province, a new member of Arpie Otyag. She spent the evening walking amongst the participants, offering guidance and answering questions. Women of all ages joined in the fun. A very special thanks to Karine Abgaryan, Dirouhie Cathy Minassian, and her Kkhourout, and all who volunteered their services to make this both a fun and fundraising evening for all.

Photos by David Medzorian, Asbed, Ararat Lodge No. 1, and The Daughters of Vartan Arpie Otyag No. 9.

Click on the link below.

05/04/2026

Looking for a beautiful and meaningful gift for Mother's Day? These lovely ensembles are created by Arpie Otyag's own Karine Abgaryan and will enhance any outfit, whether casual or fancy. These scarves and necklaces will put a smile on the face of any mother, mother-to-be, grandmother, aunt, or anyone who appreciates style with an Armenian flavor. Each scarf-and-necklace ensemble is $50.00. Purchasing details are below, but time is running out, so order yours today.

Here is the link to make purchases: https://abgart.myshopify.com/products/gift-set-for-armenian-copy

04/27/2026

Boston's remembrance of the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide concluded on Sunday in the sun-drenched green of Armenian Heritage Park in a program that blended culture and eloquence. The nearly two-hour event began with a procession of clergy and opening prayers, and the Homenetmen Scouts carrying the flags of Massachusetts, the USA, Armenia, and Artsakh. Vocalist Sevan Dulgarian sang the anthems of the United States, Armenia, and Artsakh. The program, led by Master of Ceremonies Raffi Barsamian, featured eloquent remarks and reflections by Nina Shahverdyan, Argine Harutyunyan, and Aspram Israyelyan, as well as a poem by young Anahit Melkonian. The young women of the Armenia Dance Studio of Waltham touched the hearts of the audience with a stirring performance set to music that those gathered knew well. A touching musical serenade was offered by vocalist Lia Sarkisyan and pianist Arno Melkonyan of Boston's Berklee College of Music. The program concluded with the recognition of Armenian veteran Hagop Jenessian, who gratefully acknowledged the applause. Very special thanks to the Boston Armenian Genocide Commemoration Committee, chaired by Tina Barsoumian, and to DJ Rams for sound.

Photos by Asbed David Medzorian of Ararat Lodge No. 1 in Boston. Photos of Knights of Vartan members taken by Nakhgin Dirouhie (Past Chairwoman) Armina Manoukian of Arpie Otyag No. 9 in Boston.