St. John Armenian Church of San Francisco Helps Provide Home for Family of Fallen Artsakh Hero

Later that day, we traveled with the family to Etchmiadzin, where Armo’s wife and children opened the door to their new permanent home.

There, Der Hovannes blessed the Abgaryan family’s new home. For a family from Artsakh, having their home blessed by a priest whose own spiritual service is so deeply connected to Artsakh gave the moment particular meaning.

The day began with remembrance and ended with a new beginning. On Armo’s birthday, his family gathered in a home that will now be theirs.

“I was in Martuni when Armo was killed and attended his funeral there. Three years later, we began his birthday at Yerablur remembering him and ended the day standing with his wife and children as Der Hovannes blessed their new home,” said Lorik Humanitarian Fund President Shunt Jarchafjian. “There was a lot of emotion in that moment. We cannot replace what this family lost, but we can stand beside them as they rebuild.”

The Abgaryan family’s new home stands as a lasting result of St. John Armenian Church of San Francisco’s support. The church’s contribution went beyond providing immediate assistance. It helped give a widow and four children the security of a permanent home and a place to rebuild their lives.

A Second Home, A Shared Story

During the same visit to Armenia, Lorik also gathered with the family of Gagik Balayan for the blessing of their newly completed home.

Gagik and Armo came from the same village of Gishi and were killed in the same azerbaijani attack in June 2023. Lorik had also assisted Gagik’s family following his death and remained connected with them after their forced displacement from Artsakh.

For the Balayan family, Lorik provided renovation assistance that helped complete their permanent home in Armenia.

Their home was blessed by Der Andreas, who served at Holy Savior Ghazanchetsots Cathedral in Shushi before the forced displacement from Artsakh.

The two blessings brought together people whose lives remain deeply tied to Artsakh. Der Hovannes from Dadivank and Der Andreas from Ghazanchetsots stood with two families from Gishi, blessing the new homes where those families are now rebuilding their lives.

The families have been forcibly displaced from their homeland, but carry their faith, traditions and memories with them as they rebuild their lives in Armenia.

With the completion of these two projects, Lorik Humanitarian Fund has now provided 15 permanent homes for families forcibly displaced from Artsakh.

Seven of those 15 homes have been provided to families of fallen Armenian servicemen.

The Abgaryan and Balayan families are also reminders that Lorik’s relationship with many of the families it serves did not begin with the forced displacement of September 2023. In this case, it began in Artsakh, during some of the most difficult days these families experienced, and has continued as they rebuild their lives in Armenia.

Learn more about Lorik Humanitarian Fund’s housing program at LorikHF.org.