The New Clergyman

‘From the warm ashes of our ancient heroes
May there arise heirs worthy of them,
To give a new life to our people.’
—Beshiktashelian

On Oct. 9, 2015, the Very Reverend Father Ghevont Pentezian arrived in Chicago and immediately began his duties as the new clergyman of the All Saints Armenian Apostolic Church in Glenview, Ill. On the day of his arrival, he and the vicar general, Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, who had accompanied Father Ghevont from New York, officiated at the funeral of a member of the community. The young vartabed’s (celibate priest) gentle mannerism and comforting words to the bereaved family and friends was emotive. Soon after, the vartabed officiated at another funeral, this time, of a woman in her 90s and a long-time member of the church and community. The vartabed, choir director, three family members, and a member of the community were present at the funeral home wake. Father Ghevont solemnly performed the service as if there were many people present, followed by consoling words to the family. The next day, Saturday, during the funeral service at church, the vartabed had arranged with the upper-grade Armenian school students, their teachers, and a few parish members who were in the building, to attend the funeral of this lady who, along with her husband, had been active community members. Following the service, the vartabed instructed the students to rise from their pews, go over to the grieving family members, shake their hands, and express their condolences before quietly returning to their classrooms. A valuable lesson from the vartabed was learned in church that morning: the importance of reaching out to those in our community who have no one, who are alone, or who have been forgotten. The same three family members and community member attended the burial. At the conclusion of the burial service, the vartabed reverently placed a long-stem red rose on the coffin. The rest followed his example.