Our grandfather Stepan Apelian

The picture of my grandfather’s tasbih I posted recently, evoked memories of bygone days. He passed away on July 26, 1984. The attached is my translation Rev. Ardashes Kerbabian’s eulogy. It was dated August 27, 1984, Cambridge, Ontario, Canada, where Rev.  Ardashes pastored for a number of years. Our grandfather Stepan, as well as grandmother Sara, like most of his generation, were orphaned survivors of the Armenian Genocide 

Among the serendipitous happenings in life, the birth of Mr. Stepan Apelian coincided with the foundation of our village’s - Keurkune’s – Church in 1897. It became his good fortune to grow with and in the church. Thus the young Stepan had his character shaped within a church loving family in the Armenian Evangelical community. It is not a secret that I reveal that he became not only a true child of the church but also its faithful and active member as an elder, a treasurer, its keeper and guardian from his adulthood well into his old age without tiring and without complaining.

I have known Mr. Stepan Apelian for forty-five (45) years and I have closely followed his life and his work for thirty-seven years (37). He would be the first to attend Sunday services, mid week prayer meetings and at the trustee meetings, always with a smile on his face, joyful and content.  He bestowed a special deference towards the church’s ministers. He loved and cared for the church, its congregation, the school and the students as he cared for the pupils of his eyes, wishing for them  love, wellbeing and harmony. 

After a hard day’s work and before going to sleep he devoted a special time for scripture reading and prayer. He was a personification of Jesus’ reference of Nathanael “ Here truly is a man in whom there is no deceit”. Truly Mr. Stepan Apelian was a true embodiment of goodness and the exemplary man of the village. Everyone liked him. He was the rosy cheeked, calm and composed ‘baboug’ (grandpa) of the village. He was meek as much he was good willed. He was impartial in his service to church. He was caring, hospitable, and his table was open to visitors as well as to strangers.

As an outcome of the life he led, he enjoyed the love and the respect of his immediate community and the community at large. Spiritually he was one of the richest and most content persons. God in turn rewarded him with two sons and four university graduate grandchildren (see the note below), who are also known for their well manners. According to the news reaching us, the Armenian community of Syria and Lebanon are grateful for the services of his two grandchildren Steve and Ara who are rendering service to the Chanits (Armenian Evangelical Endeavor Association), the Armenian Evangelical community and the Armenian community at large. It is also fair to acknowledge the spouses of his children for their services to the church and to the evangelical schools.

For his more than 50 to 60 years of service he rendered to the Armenian Evangelical Church of Keurkune, Mr. Stepan is deserving of our Lord’s blessing who said “‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’.”

Mr. Stepan Apelian left this world on July 26, 1984 bearing on his chest the pin for loving service. I believe that according to John 10:25 (“I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me”) he lives with the beloved Lord. Apostle Paul’s words fit Mr. Stepan Apelian’s person and life, when he said: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”

My dear nephew*, on the occasion of the fortieth day your death I convey to you my sincere impressions of you, quoting bible verses and dedicate it to your good memory as a bouquet of flowers to be placed on the holy ground of your grave at our village’s cemetery we call “keghetseg” (a small church), wishing that the Lord will bless your fatherly and human loving memories and for your more than half a century of service to the church for the glory of God and for the enlightenment of the Christ’s church.

With the grace of God, I remain with the hope and the faith of joining you in the everlasting life. Amen.

Rev. Ardashes S. Kerbabian

67 Norfold Ave.

Cambridge, ON N1R3TB

August 27,1984

* Mr. Stepan Apelian was my nephew through my father’s first marriage.

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Note: Our grandfather had four grandchildren, two from each of his two sons, all boys, in seniority listing:  Vahe H Apelian, pharmacist (AUB), PhD (St. John’s University); Stepan Apelian agriculturalist, M.S. (AUB); Garo Apelian business (Haigazian University), deceased; Ara Apelian MD (AUB).