Asbarez: Knights and Daughters of Vartan Advance Their Mission at 108th Annual

KDV Gala at the Grand Convocation

BY GOHAR PALYAN

PHILADELPHIA — The 108th Annual Grand Convocation of the Knights and Daughters of Vartan was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from July 29 to August 2, bringing together nearly 200 delegates, members, and guests from across the United States. The five-day gathering served as the organization’s premier annual business meeting, featuring strategic planning sessions, leadership workshops, annual reports, elections, and special recognitions honoring individuals for their outstanding service, leadership, and dedication.

The Ardashad Tahlij (Lodge) and Shooshanig Otyag (Chapter) of Philadelphia hosted the Grand Convocation. Their leadership, together with dedicated members and volunteers, organized the weeklong event with exceptional care and professionalism. From the moment attendees arrived, the committee ensured every guest felt welcomed and that every meeting, activity, and event was thoughtfully curated and seamlessly executed. Many thanks to the entire planning committee, especially Co-Chairs Past Commander Raffi Berberian and Past Matron Araxi Bozadjian.

During the convocation, both Knights and Daughters Grand Councils were reelected.

The 2026 to 27 Grand Council of the Knights of Vartan consists of: Grand Commander, Robert Avakian; Grand Lieutenant Commander, Gregory Norsigian; Grand Chaplain, Der Stephan Baljian; Grand Recorder, Aram Arkun; Grand Treasurer, Arman Manoukian; Grand Master of Ceremonies, Antranig Mardiros and Grand Sentinel, Haig Gulian.

Grand Commander Robert Avakian stated that “Each Grand Convocation reminds us that the strength of the Knights of Vartan lies in our shared commitment to service, fellowship, and the preservation of our Armenian heritage. As we look to the future, we remain united in our mission to strengthen our communities and support Armenia and Armenians wherever they may be.”

The 2026 to 27 Grand Council of the Daughters of Vartan consists of: Grand Chairwoman, Lily Sarkissian; Grand Associate Chairwoman, Tanya Bukucuyan; Grand Chaplain, Nancy Tutunjian Burdman; Grand Secretary, Lucy Ohanian Murad; Grand Treasurer, Hilda Beatrice Adil; Grand Mistress of Ceremonies, Christine Akyemeniciyan and Grand Sentinel, Emma Artun.

“Every Convocation is a reminder that we are more than an organization—we are a family united by our Armenian heritage and our commitment to serving others. The enthusiasm and dedication shown this week gives us great confidence in the future,” said Grand Matron Lily Sarkissian.

This year’s Grand Convocation held special significance as the United States is commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, which took place in Philadelphia, and the city also holds a special place in the history of the Knights of Vartan, since it was founded there in 1916. In recognition of this shared heritage, delegates had the opportunity to visit some of Philadelphia’s most iconic historic landmarks before the formal meetings began.

A guided city tour included visits to Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, along with time to explore the Young Meher sculpture by renowned Armenian-American artist Khoren Der Harootian. Surrounded by stone boulders brought from every region of Armenia and Artsakh, the memorial stands as a powerful symbol of the Armenian nation’s enduring resilience, unity, and spirit.

The Knights and Daughters held two full days of business meetings, training, and workshops.

Liaison and Director of the Knights of Vartan Charities, Inc. Branch in Armenia, Gohar Palyan, presented an update on the organization’s ongoing humanitarian and development initiatives in Armenia. Highlights included full-year scholarships for 12 students at several universities; two schools and one home renovation projects; and the continued success of the Economic Sustainability Program — one of the organization’s flagship initiatives, which supported 91 small business projects.

The ESP supports displaced Artsakh and local Armenian families by helping them establish or rebuild businesses through grants for essential equipment, tools, and other start-up needs. One inspiring success story is that of Kristine Hakobyan, a hairstylist who owned a beauty salon in Artsakh before being forcibly displaced with her family in 2023. After relocating to Armenia, she applied for assistance through the Knights of Vartan and received an ESP grant to rebuild her livelihood from the ground up.

Investing more than 60 percent of the total project cost herself, Kristine rented a commercial space, registered her business, purchased the necessary equipment, and created employment for five people. Today, her salon is a thriving business, providing financial stability for her family while contributing to her local community.
To date, the program has supported 91 projects.

Since its inception, $213,885 has been funded for 13 different business types: bakeries, beauty salons, machinery, tailors, small shops, husbandry, agricultural projects and more. These projects together cover 7 regions of Armenia.

All of the recipients of these grants continue to live in Armenia after a year of receiving the grant, indicating the positive psychological impact of the ESP in addition to its financial or business aspect. These families from Artsakh were able to stay occupied and employed, which helped them temporarily escape the harsh reality of losing Artsakh and the trauma of war.

Reports were presented on several projects which were implemented during the last fiscal year, including scholarships in both the US and Armenia, the renovation of schools and kindergartens, and the support of research on Armenia and Armenians.

The Knights of Vartan organized a workshop moderated by Avak Sentinel Haig Gulian. He clearly and concisely presented the results of a national survey of the membership. This was followed by a second spirited workshop moderated by NS Jake Bournazian and Past Grand Commander Dr. Gary Zamanigian on Membership Development and Recruitment.

The Daughters of Vartan organized 2 workshops, the first with Dr. Taline Andonian, discussing the effect of generational trauma and the second, a Professional Women’s panel featuring Dr. Markrete Krikorian, Araz Majnoonian and Ani Jilozian, moderated by Past Grant Matron Lisa Kradjian.

Each year, the Knights and Daughters of Vartan pay tribute to one man and one woman whose extraordinary dedication, leadership, and generosity have strengthened and enriched the Armenian community.

The Knights 2026 “Man of the Year” award was presented to Harry S. Cherken Jr, a retired attorney, civic leader, and dedicated advocate for the Armenian community. He was formerly Managing Partner at Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath and he has been widely recognized as one of Pennsylvania’s leading real estate lawyers. Cherken has served on the boards of major corporations and numerous educational and charitable institutions. A founding governor and former chair of the Armenian Bar Association, he is currently President of the Howard Karagheusian Commemorative Corporation and he is Honorary Consul of the Republic of Armenia for the Greater Philadelphia Area.

He also provided pro bono legal services to secure Armenia’s Embassy in Washington, D.C., and its UN Mission in New York, for which he received a presidential citation from Armenia. His longstanding commitment to Armenian heritage includes helping establish the Armenian Heritage Walk in Philadelphia. He delivered a masterfully crafted speech with warmth and authority that commanded the room.

The 2026 “Woman of the Year” award was presented to Vicki Shoghag Hovanessian. She is a distinguished Armenian-American philanthropist, cultural leader, and humanitarian whose decades of service have left a lasting impact on the Armenian community worldwide. A champion of culture, education, and humanitarian causes, she has led major fundraising efforts for disaster relief, educational institutions, medical programs, and cultural initiatives, including helping establish Chicago’s AGBU Cultural Center, securing the future of St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, advancing continuing medical education in Armenia, and playing a pivotal role in bringing the landmark Armenia exhibition to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

A passionate advocate for Armenian art and heritage, she currently serves as Cultural Advisor to the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in the United States and Armenia’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations. Her extraordinary leadership has been recognized with the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, medals from the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians and multiple U.S. Congressional commendations. Without question, Vicki Shoghag Hovanessian is the embodiment of unwavering dedication and compassion; her impact, leadership and generosity set a standard that inspires everyone.

In 2023, the Knights of Vartan Grand Council introduced a new honor to recognize extraordinary service, the “St. Vartan Mamigonian Knight of the Year.” This year the Knights of Vartan was proud to honor Nishan Atinizian. For more than 50 years, Nishan Atinizian has exemplified leadership, philanthropy, and service to the Armenian community. A successful businessman, he played a pioneering role in Armenia’s economic development by leading the acquisition of the Armenia Marriott Hotel — one of the country’s first major foreign investments after independence — and founding Armenia’s first private residential mortgage finance company.

Together with his wife, Margrit, he has supported numerous humanitarian, educational, and religious initiatives, including the Nishan and Margrit Atinizian Senior Center in Gyumri. A devoted supporter of the Armenian Church and many Armenian organizations, his lifelong contributions have earned him Armenia’s Anania Shiragatsi Medal, the Armenian Church’s St. Gregory the Illuminator Medal, the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, the St. Vartan Award, and numerous other civic and humanitarian recognitions.

The following Knights were honored for their dedication to the organization for the Year 2026. The 110th Anniversary Lifetime Achievement Award was given to four Past Grand Commanders; Steven Adams, Steven Kradjian, Dr. Gary Zamanigian, and Bob Barsam. Economic Sustainability Committee members Nshan Kesecker, Dr. Gary Assarian, and Howard Atesian were honored for their dedicated efforts throughout the past year. Special Recognition Awards were given to Michael Demirchian, Ken Nahigian, Der Stephan Baljian, John Paklaian, Dro Bush, and Haig Gulian.

Several Tahlijes received recognition for their dedication and activities to advance the mission of the Knights of Vartan: Ardaz, Ghevont and Sevan Lodges of Los Angeles, Nareg-Sharvarshan Lodge of Detroit, and Ardashad Lodge of Philadelphia.

The Knights and Daughters of Vartan are committed to continue many projects in Armenia and USA and to develop new programs. They include but are not limited to the Economic Sustainability Program, the Fuller Center for Housing Armenia NGO – building homes for low-income families, scholarships from the Tabibian Family Fund of the Knights of Vartan at Yerevan State University, American University of Armenia and the National Polytechnic University of Armenia, scholarships for USA students and other charitable initiatives in Armenia and the Diaspora.

The Knights of Vartan Inc. is a fraternal leadership and service organization of Armenian men dedicated to safeguarding and perpetuating the Armenian heritage and cultural traditions. Its membership represents the spectrum of the leadership of the Armenian community. It was founded in 1916 in Philadelphia and is based in the United States with 22 local chapters which support Armenian causes around the world.

The Daughters of Vartan is an Armenian Sisterhood associated with the Knights of Vartan. It was organized in 1933 in Philadelphia. The Daughters of Vartan is an organization of women whose members are committed to the intellectual, personal, and leadership development of Armenian women and families around the world, while also promoting Armenian heritage and Christian values through its 18 chapters across the US.

Visit the website for more information about the Knights and Daughters of Vartan.

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