On Saturday, January 14th, 2012, the Grade 6 class of St. Sahag & St. Mesrob Armenian Saturday School visited the Armenian seniors at the Leslie Senior Citizens Home led by Rev. Fr. Archpriest Zareh Zargarian, the school’s principal Mr. Yetvart Balian and classroom teacher Mrs. Seta Tchakerian-MacLennan.
As customarily done, Rev. Fr. Zareh Zargarian began the visit by blessing the seniors home. Upon completing the blessing he announced that “Christ is born and revealed! Blessed is the Revelation of Christ!” The students joined Fr. Zareh in singing the hymn “Der Voghormia” and others.
Also present at the visitation were former alumni students of whom, Miss Sareen Kardjian performed on the piano as did Grade 6 students, Andrew Schmittat, Daniella Ekmekjian and Krikor Antabli on the guitar. Following the performances, the students presented each senior with a handmade craft to mark the occasion of Christmas. The seniors were very pleased with the performances and appreciated the youth presence and thoughtfulness.
On behalf of the parent council, Mrs. Rita Bedirian rose to the occasion by personally preparing a delicious traditional Armenian meal of “Mante”. Following the heartfelt and sincere appreciation by the seniors the students returned to the school with a sense of fulfillment and a better understanding of the value of “giving” as they accomplished with such humbleness.
The school’s principal, Mr. Yetvart Balian spoke to the students as to how well they represented St. Sahag & St. Mesrob Armenian Saturday School and how proud he is of each and every one of them. Mr. Balian especially thanked Mrs. Seta Tchakerian-MacLennan for her endless devotion to the school and her students and for facilitating the art project presented to the seniors.
Despite the modest and humble nature of this event, the happiness and everlasting memories it created for our Armenian seniors made it all worthwhile thanks to our student’s exemplary behavior and enthusiasm.
