“Knight” (Asbed), 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. Activities of the Knights of Vartan Inc. The Knights of Vartan is not a welfare organization or a benefit society and therefore does not usually engage directly in fund raising activities. However, it is important to know that the Knights of Vartan is a service organization to inspire and to encourage its members to assume leadership roles in cultural, educational, religious and charitable organizations and activities on a local, national and international level. On the local level, lodges present educational and cultural programs, give scholarships and distribute books on Armenian subjects as gifts to colleges and libraries, hold annual Vartanantz Programs, annual Christmas Party and Annual Picnic, make donations to Local Churches & Organizations, support Schools in Armenia and more. On the national level, members participate and take leadership roles in various social, philanthropic, compatriotic, religious and educational organizations and activities, provide scholarships to qualified students in American universities and Armenia (American University of Armenia), Yerevan State University and National Polytechnic University of Armenia, building and renovating schools, kindergartens, homes for low income families, supporting orphans, new water pipelines for the rural communities, annually organizing Times Square Commemoration of Armenian Genocide in NYC, established the Armenian Research Center of the University Of Michigan-Dearborn, supporting Armenian churches, supporting the Armenian Eye Care Project; supporting Soup Kitchens in Armenia, and many other contributions to Churches, organizations and charities. In 2016 Knights of Vartan extended operation by opening its Communications Office in Yerevan Individual Knights are encouraged to have their own charity projects as well. References Fraternal orders Armenian diaspora communities in the United States Armenian diaspora communities Armenian Apostolic Church Armenian Catholic Church Religious organizations established in the 1910s Organizations established in 1916 Organizations based in Philadelphia 1916 establishments in Pennsylvania Armenian-American culture in Pennsylvania