"While all 150 to 200 people do not need to attend the same church, ethnic groups do need to maintain a certain size to remain a cohesive group," he adds.

"I feel bad, but slowly, the Belmont and Watertown Armenian community is losing some members to other cities in Massachusetts. That makes it harder to maintain personal connections," Davidian says.

One characteristic that Davidian senses will help the Armenian community to maintain its unity, though, is its ability--at least in Boston--to avoid inter-group rivalries.

"We have members of our church who are Armenian-American, Turkish-American, Lebanese, Egyptian, and Iranian American," Davidian says. "It's partly my work, but it's partly the community--our church doesn't have inter-group conflict."

As the sun sets, looking westward from Saint James' front stoop, small bakeries and clothing stores along Mount Auburn Street prepare to close their doors after another day of work.

Young men stroll along Belmont Street, holding open doors for other pedestrians.

Back at Saint James, Davidian takes a seat at his desk. It is past 6 p.m. on a Friday, but he has business to attend to.

Across town, in Belmont, Young prepares to leave, putting on his topcoat, and fedora.

Day is dimming in Belmont and Watertown, but together Young and Davidian are working on a brighter tomorrow for their community.