The hantes of Sts. Vartanantz Church Mourad Armenian Saturday School took place on Sunday, May 17, 2026 in the Aramian Auditorium. Present at the hantes were  Rev. Fr. Kapriel Nazarian and Yeretzgeen Debra, Board of Trustees, representatives of church organizations, parents , grandparents  and Drs. Ara & Betty  Sadaniantz.

 After the rendition of the national and school anthems, master of ceremonies, Mrs. Anna Gevorkyan invited Der Kapriel for the opening prayer. Mrs. Gevorkian welcomed all and thanked the dedicated teachers and parents for instilling the love of our culture and language in the next generation. 

A medley of songs and recitations dedicated to our homeland and language were presented to the audience. Our younger students beautifully sang “Im pokreeg navag”, “Mer Yergirn e Hayasdan” and recited poems dedicated to their parents. 

The older groups presented the maps of Armenia and Artsakh, followed by the song “Doun im Hayreni” with piano accompaniment by Michael Zaytounian. They also recited poems by famous poets such as Barouyr Sevag and Jack Hagopian.

Mr. Hagop Khatchadourian, the school committee chairman , thanked the principal , teachers, parents , individuals and organizations who actively contributed to the school’s success. He reminded the audience about the 2026  message of Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia,  “Year of Spiritual Renewal ” and he invited all the sister organizations, the church, the school and the parents to unite their efforts, working hand-in-hand for the shared betterment of our homeland and nation. 

In her remarks, Mrs. Lala Attarian highlighted the importance of using our beautiful native language. While addressing the students the principal  said;  “By speaking your native language you ensure our culture transcends history books, transforming it into a living legacy that resides in your hearts and guides the future.” Additionally, she recognized the graduates who returned to assist the younger generation and she thanked the teaching staff for their tireless dedication and for pouring their souls into the classrooms, ensuring that our history, our literature, and our faith are passed down with love and with modern methods. 

This year, Garo Tarbinian,a graduate of our school, who currently serves our school as a teacher’s assistant, was awarded the Maggie Nalbandian College Bound Scholarship, established by Drs. Ara & Betty Sadaniants in 2010 for worthy  Mourad School graduates heading to college. 

Nine kindergarten students recited “Tsdesoutuin mangabardez” (goodbye kindergarten) before  receiving their diplomas. Congratulations to all!

 Der Kapriel Nazarian  in his closing remarks congratulated the teaching staff, graduates and assistants. He  encouraged the Mourad School  to continue in their noble mission of educating the young  in our faith and  language. During his remarks, he spoke of the root and purpose of the written Armenian language, our alphabet, that we must never forget.  It was to translate the Bible, the Divine Liturgy, and theological writings into Armenian.  It is the Armenian Church that has kept alive our language and culture over the centuries, especially during the time that we did not have a free and independent country.  It has been our faith that has nurtured our language and culture.  Therefore, Vehapar Aram’s call to spiritual renewal is a call to strengthen the foundation of our church and our individual lives.

We sincerely thank the Armenian Relief Society Eastern Regional Board and the Providence ARS “Ani” and “Arax” chapters, the “Ararat” Association, our supporters, members of the Parent-teacher organization; Ani Dedeyan, Alenoush Hagopian, Melanie Zeitounian, Sonig Nasr and school committee liaison Manoushak Krikorian. Mr. Edmund Nasr for volunteering to capture our important  events, the Sts. Vartanantz Church Board of Trustees and church organizations,  the parents and all the volunteers for their time and effort to make our school a better place for our students. Special thanks to Mrs.Stacey Khatchadourian and Mrs. Annie Yepremian for their help with the hantes.

2025-2026 staff and volunteers:

Principal: Mrs. Lala Attarian

Teachers: Miss Arpi Donoyan; Mrs. Zepur Donoyan; Mrs. Anna Gevorkian; Mrs. Meghri Janigian; Mrs. Maggie Nalbandian; Mr. Raffi Rachdouni; Mrs. Talar Restikian; Mrs. Araksi Sarkisian; Mrs. Menar Tarbinian; Miss Nora Tarbinian.

Aides: Nadia Keshijian; Sareen Khatchadourian; Garo Tarbinian; Bedig Zaytounian.