According to the Christian tradition, Madagh is a holiday when a traditional meal of lamb stew, pilaf made from bulgur, and lavash or katah bread, is served to the poor in beloved memory of deceased relatives.

This time, Madagh at the Gyumri Senior Center coincided with the end of Medz Bahk (Great Lent) and Surb Zatik (Easter). This year’s Madagh was donated by the Haroutunian family from New York, who fed 200 beneficiaries in memory of Gabriel and Garo Haroutunian.

Prior to the serving of Madagh, Father Arnak from Shirak Diocese blessed the meal. He prayed to God for Gabriel and Garo and the peace in their souls. Father Arnak then explained to everyone the meaning of Madagh and asked to pray for the family’s success and well being.

Gyumri Soup Kitchen Director Gor Simonyan and the whole staff made every effort to prepare and serve a tasty meal. The beneficiaries, in appreciation, raised their glasses to toast their benefactors.

Blessing of Madagh

Madagh is Served for Gyumri Atinizian Senior Center’s Beneficiaries

Credit: Levon Lachikyan

By Rafik Martirosyan

For five years, St. Mary Armenian Church’s Sunday School in Costa Mesa, California, has fundraised enough money to pay for two days of meals at each of FAR’s four soup kitchens.

Sunday School representative Nina Yousefian said this year they decided to call the fundraising drive the “Souper Bowl” for two reasons. “It’s a cute play on words, and secondly, when we planned our first fundraiser five years ago it just so happened that it fell on Superbowl Sunday,” she said.

Thanks to the donation, nearly 700 beneficiaries received meals. All were happy to know about the Costa Mesa initiative and conveyed their gratitude and blessings to St. Mary.

‘Thank You’ Poster

Two-days Meals at FAR’s Soup Kitchens, Thanks to Donation of
St. Mary Armenian Church’s Sunday School in Costa Mesa

Credit: Felix Arustamyan

Three representatives from Armenia’s Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs met with FAR staff at our Yerevan office on March 3. Lena Hayrapetyan, head of the Department of Family, Women and Children’s issues, along with Chief Specialist Arpine Hakobyan and First Category Specialist Kristine Hovhannisyan, both from the Department of Handicapped and the Elderly, spoke about current social issues.

Issues discussed included housing of older orphans who transition out of their respective institutions, the importance of having more support centers for the elderly and troubled children, providing greater opportunities for employment for the disabled, and how NGOs like FAR can better bridge the gap between services.

Meeting with guests from the Ministry of Labor & Social Affairs

Credit: FAR Staff

According to the ancient Greeks, singing in a choir was a sign of politeness and civility. While two and a half millennia have passed since then, this idea still rings true. One only needs to think of the Tatev Children’s Choir or “Tatevtsis.” Hundreds of children have joined the choir since it was founded by FAR in 1993. Today it still operates with the same fervor it always has, thanks to its art director and conductor Vachagan Navasardyan, who ensures the children are well versed in Armenian folk and medieval European songs. With financial support from FAR, choir classes remain free to the children.

On March 3, “Tatevtsis” performed a charity concert for the children at the #2 Yerevan Special School, which more than 100 mentally disabled children attend. Guests are rare, so the children were thrilled to have visitors who also brought candy and gifts with them. The greatest gift of all, however, was the enthusiastic singing, which inspired many of the pupils to join the choir members during their favorite songs.

Tatev Children’s Choir performs at #2 Yerevan Special School

During the Concert

Maestro Vachagan Navasardyan

Special School Children with Tatev’s Singers

Credit: Felix Arustamyan

By Rafik Martirosyan

On a snowy February day in Yerevan, FAR staff traveled along icy roads to Gyumri, eager to deliver the gifts to the residents of Gyumri Atinizian Senior Center that were recently sent from young Armenian-Americans who participated in last summer’s ACYOA trip.

The group, which was led by Father Tateos Abdalian, consisted of nearly 20 men and women currently studying at various U.S. universities. During a visit to Gyumri, they helped with the renovation of the Ounjian school’s new building. They also helped Gyumri soup kitchen employees prepare tasty Armenian meals for visitors.  Members of this ACYOA “family” were so pleased by the warm hospitality they received that they continue to keep in touch to this day. This time, they decided to surprise the senior center residents with gift bags. Atinizian Senior Center Director Gor Amiryan and chief cook Armen Arakelyan delivered the bags to all 200 beneficiaries of the senior center and also to the staff. Residents opened the gifts with childlike delight.

In addition, towels sent by ACYOA members were delivered to residents at the Vanadzor Old Age Home and pencils were distributed to the kids at FAR’s Children Support Foundation Center.

ACYOA Members’  Gifts are distributed to
Gyumri Atinizian Senior Center Residents 

Credit: Felix Arustamyan