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Who We Are:
The Knights of Vartan is an Armenian fraternal service organization established by twelve visionary men to encourage its members to assume leadership roles in cultural, educational, religious, and charitable organizations and activities on the local, national and international level for the betterment of the Armenian nation worldwide.
When was the Knights of Vartan Organized?
On May 27, 1916, a small group of Armenian community leaders in the United States knelt at an altar in a room at Bingham House in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and took the solemn oath of the Knights of Vartan, thus officially establishing the Brotherhood. The founding fathers included a bishop of the Armenian Apostolic Church (later Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia), five ministers of the Armenian Protestant Church, three professors, and three lay leaders of the Armenian community in America. Today there are 24 chapters of the Knights of Vartan and 23 chapters of the Daughters of Vartan throughout the United States and Canada.
Why was it Organized?
The Knights of Vartan, Inc. (Vartanantz Asbedner) is an Armenian organization founded during the Armenian genocide and massacre of the religious and intellectual leaders of the Armenian people. After appeals to prominent political personalities in the United States, Germany and Russia, the realization dawned on the Founders that Armenians in America, and worldwide, not only lacked political and financial influence with the Great Powers (including the U.S.) to obtain political independence one day in historic Armenia, but in fact, were facing cultural and physical annihilation there. The primary aims of the organization were: to champion the Armenian cause, to alleviate the suffering of the Armenian people, to ensure the safety of displaced Armenians by interceding with the leaders of the Christian world, and to train leaders to serve the religious, cultural, educational, and charitable needs of the Armenian people.
Who was Vartan?
Vartan Mamigonian, an esteemed and revered nobleman and a staunch Christian, was one of the great heroes in Armenian history who was later sanctified. In 451 A.D., the Persian empire threatened to impose its religion, Mazdaism, on Armenia, through religious persecution. Vartan Mamigonian, the commanding General of a small army of Armenian soldiers and volunteers, confronted the overwhelming army of the Persian King, Hazgerd II, and sacrificed his life defending the principles of Christianity and liberty. This was the first time in the history of Christianity that a nation took up arms to defend its freedom of conscience.
St. Vartan’s patriotism, courage, faith, devotion, and self sacrifice in the service of his people have been a continual source of inspiration to Armenians in their struggle for freedom. Because of these qualities and virtues, he was adopted as the patron saint of the Brotherhood.
What does the Name "Knight" Signify?
The name "Knight", used to designate a member of the Knights of Vartan, signifies the rendering of unselfish and devoted service to the Armenian people and to mankind.
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What We Do:
The Knights of Vartan, individual lodges, and the Grand Council have made substantial financial contributions to other charitable organizations, to churches and church projects, to the Armenian community and to the community in general and to our Ancestral Homeland of Armenia.
What are the Activities of The Knights of Vartan?
The Knights of Vartan is a service organization to inspire and to encourage its members to support cultural, educational , religious and charitable organizations and activities on a local, national and international level. The Knights of Vartan is not a welfare organization or a benefit society and therefore does not usually engage directly in fund raising activities. On the local level, lodges present educational and cultural programs, give scholarships and participate and serve in various social, philanthropic, compatriotic, religious and educational organizations and activities. One such undertaking was to establish a permanent endowment for the Armenian Research Center at the University of Michigan, Dearborn. Lodge members are actively involved in all phases of assistance to the Republic of Armenia. Most activities in Armenian communities throughout the United States and Canada have benefited from service of members of the Knights of Vartan.
Large projects were undertaken such as school support for Armenia and a seminary support project together with helping our brothers in need and participating in the April 24 Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide.
In addition, members of the Knights of Vartan were major participants and leaders in many important community and organizational projects, thus fulfilling our obligations and our vow of service to others. Some of these are:
• Establishment of the Armenian Research Center at the University of Michigan
• Financial Support to over ninety (90) schools in Armenia (including the Knights and Daughters of Vartan Educational Center)
• Participation and Financial Support to Armenian projects
• Participate and serve in Armenian Churches
• Sponsor the commemoration of the Armenian Genocide of 1915 in Times Square, New York City, as well as other cities
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