‘Keeping the Balance’ by Rev. Dr. Vahan Tootikian
Rev. Dr. Vahan Tootikian is widely known as a prolific writer, scholar, lecturer, teacher, and exceptional minister of the Lord in his duties as a clergyman in the Armenian Congregational Church. How did he come to be the venerated man of the cloth who we all love and respect?
One day the postman arrived at my house with a huge box containing 30 books that Rev. Dr. Tootikian had written over the many years of his ministry. Just after the first of this year, one more book arrived titled Keeping the Balance. Who could share the benefits of keeping the balance better than the author? That makes 35 authored books. Rev. Dr. Tootikian is revered by every element of the Metro Detroit Armenian and American community, and is known worldwide as a true humanitarian. He delivers the word of God because he lives it.
“There ought to be a fair balance between one’s faith and one’s good works, for without faith a person’s good works are futile, and without good works one’s faith is dead,” he writes.
I am privileged to have read the many tributes paid to him in a testimonial banquet book in celebration of the 40th anniversary of his pastoral and public service, as well as at another event that honored and marked his retirement on Sept. 25, 2005.
His story begins in Ekiz-Olouk near his beloved Kessab, Syria, one of four sons born to Hagop and Keghanoush Tootikian. Rev. Dr. Tootikian says of them, “They were simple, good people whose dignity showed us how life should be lived through example of integrity, love, and faith.”
A graduate of the Near East School of Theology, Rev. Tootikian completed his graduate work at Hartford, Harvard, and Newton Theological seminaries, earning two masters and a doctorate.
He was happily married for over 25 years to the late Juliette (Nazarian) Tootikian, and together had three beautiful daughters. In 1991, on June 22, a date suggested by his mother because it also was his birthday, Rev. Dr. Tootikian married the beautiful Californian Rosette Pambakian, who as his life partner submersed herself in everything affiliated in his ministry.
Rosette Tootikian possesses an endearing, warm personality. She is an accomplished woman in her own right. She left a successful 28-year career with Pan Am Airlines beginning in ticket sales at a very young age to become the Yeretsgin of the Armenian Congregational Church in Southfield, Mich., offering unselfish support to her husband’s life and ministry.
During her airline career, she traveled extensively, first-class, and around the world, enjoying the lifestyle and culture of many different people. It was excellent preparation for her future life in Detroit.
She admitted to her then-future husband that although she had helped her mother in the kitchen cooking, she never actually considered herself well versed in that area. He asked, “Are you willing to learn?” She now can honestly say “Yes” to that question, having become a helpmate to her church’s ladies’ guild when preparing food for banquets and family nights. She is involved!
I observed his popularity when I recently attended a Kessab picnic in Cambridge, Ontario. I noticed a throng of people happily surrounding someone with hugs and handshakes. Upon closer observation, I discovered it was my good friend Rev. Dr. Vahan Tootikian. The people loved their fellow Kessabtsi and were unabashedly showing their respect.
Rev. Dr. Tootikian is now the Minister Emeritus of the Armenian Congregational Church of Greater Detroit after a service of 30 years. He and Yeretsgin (Pampeesh) Rosette travel across America, Canada, and other countries in his duties as the executive director of the Armenian Evangelical World Council.
Along with his ecclesiastical involvement, Rev. Dr. Tootikian has been a lecturer at Lawrence Technological University and the University of Michigan. He was elected moderator of the Armenian Evangelical Union of North America four times, and served as secretary and president of the Armenian Evangelical World Council.
The letters of congratulation and thanks for his service to God and community come from United States presidents, senators, governors, other noted luminaries and people who have had the honor of his friendship. He maintains a remarkable relationship with his fellow Detroit Der Hayrs, brothers in the service of the Lord believing all are closely connected to the Mother Armenian Church.
Through his faith and humility, he has garnered the admiration of all who have come to know him. Detroit has been most fortunate to have Rev. Dr. Tootikian in our midst. Our best wishes are extended to him and the lovely Yeretsgin Rosette for many more years as valued community members.
His recent book, Keeping the Balance, can be purchased by writing to the Armenian Heritage Committee, 3925 Yorba Linda Blvd., Royal Oak, MI 48073-6455.
