Vahe H. Apelian
Much like all Kessabtsi, I knew of Yesai and Hovhannes Sarmazian brothers. Even though Yesai was the younger brother, it appeared that at the time he was more known than his elder brother because of his calling. He was to be a Badveli, a postor. In fact, I recall the occasion when I first met Rev. Yesai. It was in Keurkune and it was in Kourken Bedirian’s parent’s house. I singled Kourken among his brothers and sisters because, it turned out, that Kourken and Yesai were friends. Both had ventured out of Kessab in pursuit of their own callings. Kourken became an internationally acclaimed scientist in his field and Yesai became known for his vibrant pastorate. Both, Kourken and Yesai, immigrated to Canada. I do not recall the occasion that brought them together over an extended family lunch that day.
I met Hovhannes Sarmazian in person in very early 1970’s when we both taught in the Beirut Kessab Educational Association evening school. All the teachers were students. Rev. Hovhannes attended and lived in the Near East School of Theology (NEST) dormitory which was a just a block or two from the Khanamirian School where the evening classes were held. It was obvious for us that he was a decade senior to us but we struck a personal friendship that continued to the very end. When he was ordained in Anjar, my mother and I attended the ceremony. It was his younger brother Rev. Yesai who extended the hand fellowship into their fold as ordained pastors.
I immigrated to the U.S. in 1976. After he and his family immigrated to Canada our ties resumed although we seldom met each other in person. He customarily gifted me a copy of the books he wrote. A few years ago, I happened to be Los Angeles staying with my mother when he called me to let me know that he will be landing in LAX airport. He was invited to be speaker at the yearly Mousa Daghtsi yearly festival in Fresno. I picked him up and together we visited a few of the former evening school staff in L.A. That was the last time I met him in person.
Some two weeks before his death I called him to follow on the status of his last book. He had told me that his last book was ready for printing. From the description he had given me, the book entailed a collection of 52 sermons, one for each Sunday with accompanying hymn. He said that he had prepared the book as an aid to lay preachers or to small congregations who may not have a pastor on board. I had found the idea fascinating and the book very useful for use in the Diaspora as well as in Armenia. I called him to find out about the upcoming publication. To my surprise his daughter Zela answered and let me know that her father is being hospitalized in intensive care. Not long after I heard the sad news of his passing away on June 3, 2020.
He was indeed a gentle soul, a humble and a dedicated servant of God.
I took the liberty of sharing Rev. John Khanjian’s reflections about Rev. Hovhannes Sarmazian’s depicting his unconventional but determined path towards his calling, (Jan-Feb-March 2018 issue of AMAA News).
“REV. HOVHANES SARMAZIAN
By Rev. John Khanjian, Ph.D.
Rev. Hovhanes M. Sarmazian was born in June 1934 to Minas and Marie Sarmazian of the beautiful Baghjaghaz Village, located at the foot of Mount Sildran in Kessab, Syria. He attended the village elementary school but for intermediate education, he had to walk 14 km to get to school in Kessab!
His roadmap to Christian ministry did not follow the traditional path of high school, college and seminary. Being the eldest son, he had to interrupt his education and join his father in cultivating the land. In 1951, he was asked to teach at his village elementary school, which he undertook with great love and joy for three years. Then the order came to join the Syrian Army as a conscript. Upon the completion of his military service, he was offered a teaching position at the Armenian Evangelical Elementary School in Damascus, Syria where he served from 1959-62. During this sojourn, which he refers to as “his Damascus Road Experience,” his future vision for the Christian Ministry was solidified and he began the process of applying for full-time ministry.
However, there was still one more hurdle to overcome ̶ a high school diploma. In 1962, I met him as a student at the Armenian Evangelical College of Beirut, Lebanon where he sat in class with teenagers and became a successful student. Now the road map was clear, he became a full-time college and seminary student. With diligence, he completed his studies and received from Haigazian College, a B.A. in Psychology in 1967, and B.D. from the Near East School of Theology in 1969.
During his seminary days, he served in Sunday Schools, Youth Work, and preached from pulpits of churches at various locations. Prior to his graduation, because of a vacancy in the Armenian Evangelical Church of Anjar, Hovhanes was appointed to serve the Church on an interim basis, which later became a permanent position. He began his work after a stormy period in the Church’s life, but with his calm and loving approach, he brought peace and stability to the situation and served the Church for 22 years.
In 1972, he married Marie Janbazian who was a member of the Hilfsbund Mission that was serving the Anjar School and its Boarding Department, as well as Muslims in the surrounding villages. Marie was educated in Germany and served as a nurse, translator, and social worker, and became Pastor Sarmazian’s right arm in his ministry. On July 1, 1973, he was ordained by the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches of the Near East as the Pastor of the Armenian Evangelical Church of Anjar.
When the Hilfsbund Mission transferred its work in Anjar and the surrounding area to the Armenian Evangelical Union of the Near East in 1976, Rev. Sarmazian’s responsibilities grew exponentially. It included the Directorship of the K-12 School, which included a large boarding population, teaching Armenian and religion courses, Presidency of the School Board of Majdal, whose students were Muslims, and overseeing and helping the Armenian refugees who escaped from Beirut during the 16 year long Civil War.
In December 1990, Rev. Sarmazian, his wife, two sons and a daughter moved to Canada to serve the Armenian Evangelical Church of Cambridge, Ontario. In November 2002, the family lost their mother and great supporter to illness. After 50 years of faithful service, Rev. Sarmazian officially retired from this Church as of January 2018, but continues to serve when called upon. He enjoys the company of his children and four grandchildren. He has written many short stories, sermons and articles on various topics. He has published three books:. A Play on Mousa Dagh Events of 1915, A Guide Book for the Christian Armenian Family, and Short Stories About Life in a Kessab Village.
The boy who walked 14 km to school continues his journey in the service of His Lord and his people.”
Rev. Hovhannes Sarmazian interment took place on Wednesday June 17, 2020. The service was held in the Toronto Armenian Evangecal Church. It had been Badveli’s wish that his burial services be attended by the immediate family members. Given the times it was an appropriate request.
Donations in his memory in lieu of flowers may be made in support of Armenians in Lebanon, in Anjar or in Kessab and may be posted electronically at aec.cambridge@gmail.com or the checks mailed to the following address.
Armenian Evangelical Church of Cambridge
1620 Franklin Blvd
Cambridge, ON
N3C 1P2
Canada
Some pictures:
thants my grampa
ReplyDelete