Hundreds Turn Out to Honor Late Vehapar Vasken I

In spite of geopolitics, Catholicos Vasken I presided over a period that saw the foundations of the Armenian Church strengthened, and the faith of its people reawakened.

In 1955, as Armenia struggled under communism, the Armenian Church turned to Levon Baljian, who was born in Bucharest, Romania, to parents who had fled Turkish oppression.

“Catholicos Vasken I presided over a period of tremendous historic importance. And in the heroic way he faced the challenges and opportunities of that time, he himself made history,” said Archbishop Khajag Barsamian on December 5 during a luncheon commemorating the 10th anniversary of the passing of Catholicos Vasken I.

“But in spite of the great role he played in our national story, Vehapar was also able to touch each of us, and make a special, personal connection with our hearts. Our lives have been enriched by that connection, and by the opportunity to remember him this afternoon.”

Following a Divine Liturgy and requiem service for Catholicos Vasken I at St. Vartan Cathedral, almost 500 people attended the memorial program which followed at New York City’s Diocesan Center. Some had known Catholicos Vasken personally, and found their lives changed forever by his devotion and dedication to the Armenian Church. Others, who did not have a chance to meet the Catholicos in his lifetime, were well aware they were the recipients of his legacy of strengthening the Armenian Christian faith.

Catholicos Vasken I was “a man of faith, hope, love” who was practical, organized, and looked at life with general optimism, said Edward Jamie Jr., who co-chaired the anniversary event. Jamie added that Catholicos Vasken’s greatest achievement was in “bringing people closer to the church, and strengthening their faith. We should live with his inspiration and strengthen our spirituality.”

The event’s other co-chair, Bedros Givelekian, speaking in Armenian, reminded the audience of one of Vehapar’s favorite quotes, “As much as you drink the water of Armenia, you never become satisfied.” Reiterating one of the church leader’s strong philosophies – “Armenia cannot live without the diaspora, and the diaspora cannot live without Armenia” – Givelekian encouraged the attendees to “Be proud of your free independent Armenia.”

LIFE OF DEDICATION

For 40 years, Catholicos Vasken I steered the Armenian Church through a variety of challenges and nurtured its growth and expansion. His ministry was one of rebuilding: from restoring the physical structures of ruined sanctuaries, to invigorating the internal workings of the church by ordaining new clergymen and visiting the communities of the diaspora. This was no small task during Armenia’s Soviet era.

Numerous churches throughout Armenia were rebuilt during his tenure, including the historic sanctuaries of St. Hripsime, St. Gayane, St. Shoghakat, St. Mesrob Mashdots in Oshakan, and the monasteries of St. Geghard and Khor Virab. He also fervently encouraged construction of new churches in the diaspora, including St. Vartan Cathedral in New York City.

“His Holiness Vasken I was the sort of man who thought and labored for tomorrow, and remembering him should always force us to look forward. That will surely be the best way to honor his memory, and to advance the vital legacy he has left to us,” Archbishop Barsamian said.

REMEMBERING A FRIEND

Friends from throughout the life of Catholicos Vasken I turned out for the memorial program to remember him, praise him, and contemplate his ministry to an entire nation. Dr. Arthur Kubikian, speaking on behalf of the Romanian Armenian community, recounted Vehapar’s moving early life story and his relationship to the Armenian community in Romania. He introduced Vehapar’s first cousin, Arshalouys Baljian, and his student, Nono Krikorian, both of whom were present at the luncheon.

Expressing profound admiration and love for the church leader, Dr. Kubikian recounted His Holiness’ dynamism, modesty, and discipline, and paid tribute to his role as a “friend, teacher, mentor, community activist, and pastor. We should keep his philosophy in mind.”

Ambassador Harry Gilmore, the first U.S. ambassador to the independent Republic of Armenia, spoke of his love and respect for the pontiff. “Vehapar epitomized nobility of character, humility, grace, and authority, and always had a twinkle in his eye. I was under his spiritual umbrella,” he stated.

Noting that Catholicos Vasken I was the longest sitting religious leader in the former Soviet Union, Ambassador Gilmore recalled the Catholicos’ wisdom in both supporting yet calling for calm during the first demonstration in Armenia for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, a seminal event which the Soviet leadership did not favor. The Ambassador reminded the audience that it was the Russian people, and not the Soviet government, who came to the defense of the Armenian people during the genocide.

The latter part of Vehapar’s career was equally challenging, Ambassador Gilmore said. During the tragic 1988 earthquake, Vehapar “quickly displayed his extraordinary skills as leader, but he worried the youth might blame God for the tragedy.”

The Ambassador spoke of the courage Catholicos Vasken I showed in being an early advocate of the integration of Nagorno-Karabagh into Armenia.”

Ambassador Gilmore observed that Vehapar had three imperatives: guaranteeing Armenia’s political security, rebuilding Armenia’s economy, and advancing the prosperity of Armenian culture.

By virtue of his progressive outlook, the Armenian Church leader welcomed the independence of the Armenian Republic, “endorsing it anxiously and unhesitatingly,” Ambassador Gilmore said.

Recounting his final visit to a thin and frail Catholicos in the summer of 1994, the diplomat revealed that Vehapar, though exhausted, spoke repeatedly of his wish for continued American efforts for Armenia.

PREACHING LOVE

In his sermon during badarak, the Primate meditated on Catholicos’ Vasken’s epitaph: “Love Never Falters” – which the Catholicos himself directed to be inscribed on his tombstone.

“His Holiness Vasken I was not merely a preacher of love. He was, always and above all, an exemplar of the way of love. Simply to meet him – to experience that great warmth of personality, his unusual openness and accessibility – was to perceive that love first hand. And of course, he was willing and ready to meet with anyone: the humble as well as the exalted, from world statesmen and fellow church hierarchs, to a little mayrig living in a remote village of our homeland. Love made him generous to all,” Archbishop Barsamian said.

“Love also made him fearless. We can never forget that Vasken the First took on the burdens of his office during one of the most treacherous periods of our history. At times, not only his freedom, but his very life was at stake. And yet he never faltered, he always pressed on. He could sit across from the Soviet officials, or meet with the religious leader of Azerbaijan during the Karabagh crisis, and look them all straight in the eye, without fear or hesitation. Love gave him that strength. Love gave him that conviction.

“As in everything, Vehapar was always open and honest about the things which inspired his love. They were the love of God, and God’s creation. Love for the church. Love for his ancestral country. And of course, love for his people, with whom he experienced every high and low over the course of his four decades as catholicos. How he laughed and cried with them – as a father rejoices and laments with his children.

“I still find myself personally moved whenever I think back on those final, history-making years of his life. It was a time of incredible change: of deep tragedy, but also soaring optimism.”

–Florence Avakian contributed to this article.