In Memoriam James Boyajian

The Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America was deeply saddened by the passing of Mr. James Boyajian in October. What follows is the text of a eulogy delivered by Archbishop Khajag Barsamian during the wake service at St. Leon Armenian Church in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, on Thursday, October 17.

IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, THE SON, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT. AMEN.

Let me begin by reading from a message recently sent by our Catholicos, His Holiness Karekin II: "How greatly we appreciate the way you have offered your God-given talents, with love and loyalty, for the benefit and edification of our holy apostolic church. Wherever you have gone, whenever called upon, you have taken up the great cause of our people, and pursued it to its realization."

Our Catholicos directed these words to James Boyajian: the man we have gathered to remember. They were part of an encyclical that accompanied the St. Nersess Shnorhali Medal, an honor of distinction from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. I was privileged to present this award to James a short time ago in a small ceremony involving his loved ones. These were the limitations imposed by his physical condition; but I still regret that James will not be able to receive this honor in the more public forum he deserved.

All the more reason, then, to repeat Vehapar's words here. For in those few words, he sums up the character of James Boyajian: loving; loyal; devoted to God, church and heritage; a man of talent and vision, who placed his abilities in the service of greater things.

Those of us who knew him can testify that James was, indeed, all of those things. And we can say, with regret, that his passing this week leaves an emptiness inside us, which will never quite be filled again.

James knew many successes in life, most notably in his distinguished career as a journalist, public relations consultant, and official of the Shell Oil Company. But no matter where his career took him--and it took him all across this country--he always made a point of involving himself in the local Armenian Church. This characteristic was ingrained in James by his parents, Nazareth and Siranoush, and it is reflected in the life of his sister Lillian, his wife Sophie, and their children. Indeed, James' love for the church was so powerful that when he was transferred to Houston, Texas--a city without an established Armenian parish--he made it his duty to inspire his fellow Armenians to build the St. Kevork Armenian Church.

    Of course, James also had a lifelong association with the St. Leon parish, where he grew up; where he first expressed his love of singing through the church choir; where he first stepped into the task of church leadership on the parish council. He would later bring his experience to the service of the entire Diocese as a Diocesan delegate.

     Beyond all these things, however, James would probably say that his greatest success in life, his greatest labor of love, was his own family. The life he shared with Sophie, his beloved wife of forty-seven years, was deeply meaningful, and the legacy they built together will surely live on. It has certainly continued with their daughters Lorig, Garine and Ani, and with their grandchildren Sevan, Ari, Zabelle, Sophia and Adrian. It continues, too, through his sister Lillian and her family. That wonderful family tradition, which James so beautifully exemplified, will not cease with his passing.

I know that the past weeks have been a difficult time for the family and friends of James Boyajian. Losing such a figure is not easy for the community in general. Yet, even in the most difficult moments, James' outlook was always positive, and he never lost faith in the great possibilities God offers to His children.

That is why I feel that, tonight, we have gathered not to mourn, but to pray. Mourning does not suit the Christian outlook. For us, life does not end at the grave. On the contrary, we believe that true life--eternal life--begins with the grave. The foundation of our faith, after all, is the empty grave of Jesus Christ, which symbolizes the Resurrection of our Lord. That was always the core of James' faith, and I pray we will find comfort in it at this time.

To his wife Sophie, their children and grandchildren; to his sister Lillian and the Kasparian family, I extend my deepest prayers of sympathy and hope. May God be with you all. And may He keep James Boyajian in His holy presence until we are all reunited once again in God's eternal kingdom. Amen.