Meet Steve Evarian

He’s the smiling man waving a handkerchief as bahr bash at Armenian events, leading a long line of lively dancers to the melodies of his favored traditional Armenian village music. With his roots in Keghi, Evarian’s joy and pride in his ethnic heritage is demonstrated when he takes to the dance floor. It is obvious he is having a great time, with his feet and heart responding to the thumping beat of the dumbegs. His glee is infectious, and others quickly join in the snake-like line circling the dance floor. Evarian’s passion for dancing is equal to making crosses out of palm reeds, which he generously gives to anyone who requests them—and the takers are many. The General Motors retiree is the son of deceased couple Nick and Rose Evarian, who were very involved in the activities of both St. John and St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Churches in the Metro Detroit area. To their credit, their son remains closely connected to the community. He resides in Dearborn Heights, in close proximity to both churches. Long-time friend Fr. Abraham Ohanesian describes Evarian, a former St. John’s altar boy, “as a genuine Christian, a kind gentleman of good heart.” In 1995, Evarian approached Natalie Papazian, a close friend active in St. Sarkis events, with crosses for the church’s annual Palm Sunday dinner. He presented them to youngsters and their parents, and the demand for his crosses continued to grow. He now makes and gives away thousands each year. “I have the crosses with me 90 percent of the time and children get most of my supply, those from first grade on up to high grades, plus everyone in the congregations,” Evarian says. “I give out crosses so people will think about the Lord. There is something special that happens when a child looks at the cross in their hand. They gaze at it in reverence and look at me in quiet appreciation.” Evarian began making the crosses at a young age, taught by his Keghetsi grandfather. They serve as exquisite bookmarkers with Biblical quotations or original poems inspired by his experiences. He is dedicated to making special crosses for Good Friday burial services for the churches. These crosses are 14 inches in size, and are best described as a cross on a cross. Three each are presented to the churches. He starts the Palm Sunday crosses in January, making 10 for 7 days until he has 2,100 crosses in time for Holy Week. Last year his efforts produced 2,300 for Palm Sunday. Fr. Ohanesian serves the St. Louis and Nashville Armenian communities and takes a large number of crosses to his parishioners. Der Hayr also gives patients the revered item on hospital visits. Armenians of Nashville—including children—sent Evarian letters of appreciation for his symbol of Christian brotherhood. The crosses come in 20 different sizes. Some have magnets, others can be put on a chain, some are angel shaped—all the tedious handiwork of a creative Stephen Evarian. The process starts with soaking palms overnight in a thoroughly cleansed bathtub to make them pliable. After removing the palms from the water and making the crosses, he places them under a book to dry for two days, then reverses them for the same reason. He is meticulous with leftover palm pieces. He carefully burns the remnants, taking the ashes to the cemetery, and treating holy water in the same fashion. Since 1991, Evarian has produced 35,000 crosses. One can be put around a photo frame, another on translucent paper, laminated with verse. Some are sun-catchers. The bookmarkers require much work; they have an Armenian style cross and are fashioned on special grade paper. “My mom always put a cross in a friendship card to mail to friends,” he says. Evarian gave 90 crosses to his physician, who in his humanitarian service gave to the needy on a mission to Guatemala. For years Evarian has been a fitness devotee, and goes to the gym daily. He writes poetry and reads the Bible every day, getting inspiration from its scripture. The bachelor says that although all of this takes much time, “I am not starving. I love lamb which I grill.” He always attends the July Armenian festival to socialize with friends and enjoy the lively Armenian band. A simple cross fashioned out of a palm? It represents what God generously offered mankind: a precious gift of redemption, love and hope to reside with Him eternally in Heaven.

Meet Steve Evarian

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Betty Apigian-Kessel

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This story is FREE for you...

Betty Apigian-Kessel

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