An Homage to My Brother Archpriest Fr. Vertanes Kalayjian

By Zarmine Boghosian

If my name were Sky
What would be your name?
I’d Choose Sun and blaze
Across your life with flame.
A. Isahakian

How do you mourn, commemorate, or celebrate the life of an inspirational human being? Is it by paying tribute to his indomitable spirit and life long accomplishments? For they are numerous! Suffice to say that my family, the Armenian community, and I are so fortunate to share and capture them in memory of my brother Archpriest Fr. Vertanes Kalayjian.

Der Vertanes in his youth
Der Vertanes in his youth

At the age of 13, my brother entered the seminary of the Holy See of Cilicia; five years later he transferred to the seminary of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem where he was ordained in 1960 at the age of 21as a celibate priest.

Fr. Vertanes held several positions in Amman and Jerusalem as Vicar General, taught at the St. Tarkmanchatz school of Jerusalem, and served on the editorial group of Sion, the official periodical of the Patriarchate.

In 1963, our family was happy to have my brother back in Aleppo to serve as a pastor at St. Vartan Church and teach at Kilikian High School.

Let me build Altars out of words,*
I love, to echo them
Like cymbals of brass.

Fr. Vertanes was called to the United States and appointed for a pastoral position at St. George Church, of Waukegan, Ill. Ever eager to further his education, he enrolled at Lake Forest and Carthage colleges, taking a variety of courses in Christian Education, Biblical Studies, and Public Administration. Subsequently Fr. Vertanes was elevated to the rank of Vartabed and served as pastor of Holy Cross Church, Union City, N.J.

Give me my God, that kind of happiness
That has no self,
let me gather it like flowers in other people’s eyes.

With the consent of His Holiness Vasken I, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, Archbishop Torkom Manoogian released Fr. Vertanes from his vow of celibacy, permitting him to serve as a married priest. In 1969, he married Yeretsgin Anahid and the couple was eventually blessed with three sons: Zaven, Berj and Saro (Fr. Avedis).

And like the sun going west.,
let me lower it on waters
As one lowers nets and plant it
In earth’s furrows like a plow.

Fr. Vertanes Kalayjian served on various Diocesan-level committees dealing with youth and religious education, represented the Diocese on the National Council of Churches, and was among the delegation of Diocesan clergy taking part in the “Poor People’s March” organized in 2968 by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

In 1976, Fr. Vertanes assumed the pastorate of St. Mary Church in Washington, D.C. For the next 31 years, he became synonymous with the parish, building its membership and activities. In Washington D.C. he frequently represented the Diocese at the U.S. Congress, the State Department, the Justice Department, and various national think tanks.

Give me a selfless joy,
To share like the stars
Dispersed across the skies.

In 1985, His Holiness Vazken I granted Fr. Vertanes the title of archpriest. In the aftermath of the 1988 earthquake in Armenia, Fr. Vertanes became a leader in the effort to help and develop the Armenian homeland. He co-founded HAVAD, the Diocesan Christian missionary program in Armenia, and was extremely active in preaching, teaching, and establishing camps in the homeland.

Fr. Vertanes served as a Diocesan Council member for many years and was a champion of Christian education and youth outreach throughout his life and ministry.

And. having found it, let me stay
The hunter of the ideal,
Give me the grace to know its true worth
Like the sailor on the life raft
Let me gather it from the souls
Of common and uncommon men
And give it back…

Fr. Vertanes was my stalwart brother and mentor, and he was our family’s leader. He filled our lives and hearts with prisms of light. The giving light! His endearing smile was the epitome of his spirit and essence.

Der Vertanes (Photo: Joyce Boghosian)
Der Vertanes (Photo: Joyce Boghosian)

Friday, Aug. 12 was the day to celebrate Fr. Vertanes’s 77th birthday. Instead, we gathered to view him in his most peaceful position facing the altar of his beloved Armenian Church.

In our deep sorrow, it was comforting to be surrounded by an entire extended family of clergy, former students from Jerusalem’s Tarkmanchatz school and Camp Nubar, and parishioners from all other churches that Fr. Vertanes served to join us at St. Leon Armenian Church of Fair Lawn. After all it was his birthday and we, as one big and extended family, were celebrating his most worthy life!

Fr. Vertanes is survived by his 93-year-old mother Diramayr Zabelle, his most devoted wife Yeretsgin Anahid, their three sons Dr. Zaven, Berj and newly ordained priest Fr. Avedis (Saro) Kalayjian; his sisters Zarminé Boghosian and Dr. Ani Kalayjian, and brothers Kevork Kalayjian Jr. and Vasken Kalayjian. He was predeceased by his father Dirahayr Kevork.

The Kalayjian and Boghosian families are grateful for the care received from Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, who presided over both days of service, and the presence and participation of numerous clergy, Fr. Vertanes’ brothers in Christ.

Der Vertanes
Der Vertanes

The family also is indebted to the hospitality of Fr. Diran Bohajian of St. Leon Church, as well as the members of the parish council for their genuine care and comforting service on both days (which were streamed live by the Diocese on its website).

A 40-day requiem service (karasoonk) will be held on Sunday, Sept. 18 at St. Mary Armenian Church, Washington, D.C.

* All verses are from Missak Medzarents, translated by Diana Der-Hovannesian from the original Armenian New Year’s Prayer.

Guest Contributor

Guest Contributor

Guest contributions to the Armenian Weekly are informative articles or press releases written and submitted by members of the community.

2 Comments

  1. I have just read the news of Fr. Vertanes Kalayjian’s passing…he was such a beloved man of God. Blessings to all in his beautiful family. He baptized my two sons, we spoke of the Armenian genocide together, he loved the Saint Mary community and church…. he was such a good, loving, caring and special man. I remember when we attended my grandmother’s best friend Kanar’s funeral and Fr. Vertanes Kalayjian was saying the final prayer at the cemetery and in the background there was a military salute going off in the background for another funeral happening at the same time. Fr. Vertanes commented to me that it was no accident, the timing of that salute that happened….he was right given Kanar’s life experience…and in the same sense….I too hear in the background the sound of a salute reassuring those who love and deeply respect Fr. Vertanes, all the lives he touched and strengthen, that all is well and that on this day he can hear the heart felt love and salute being offered in his name….Hokiss

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