Following the devastating earthquake in Armenia in 1988, the Etchmiadzin Children’s Fund was created in 1990, at the initiative of His Holiness Vazken I, Catholicos of All Armenians. At the time it was determined that there were over 12,000 needy children in Yerevan, Gyumri and Spitak. The needs of these children were divided amongst all the Churches in the US, Canada, Europe, Lebanon, Australia a
nd Egypt. The Eastern and Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America took responsibility of the largest number of children. For the first 10 years, the Western Diocese supported between 350 and 600 children annually. Under the leadership of Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, ECF has expanded its outreach program and has increased the amount of assistance given to each child annually. Today, the Etchmiadzin Children’s Fund sponsors over 350 needy children in Armenia. The program heavily relies on the generosity of individuals like you who have opened their hearts and have extended their helping hands to our wonderful children.
