Derevatap, An Unprecedented leaf-fall in October 2026

Derevatap (Տերեւաթափ), is a an Armenian word that literally means falling of leaves, and is often used to refer  to those of social prominence who passed away. But there is no single everyday English word like "snowing" or "raining", for falling leaves. For many years Garo Kevorkian published “Everyone’s Yearbook” (Ամէնուն Տարեգիրքը) – 1954-1968 -, reflecting on the passing year. He had section devoted to Derevatap, recalling Armenians of social prominence who passed away that year. Levon Sharoyan appears to have filled the void and has reflected on the prominent Armenians who passed away this year in the month of October.  I have attached my aided translation of his article he posted on his Facebook page, which had appeared in Ararat Daily on November 3, 2026 (("Արարատ" օրաթերթ, 3 Նոյ. 2026). Vaհe H Apelian 

ՆՕՐԻՆԱԿ ՏԵՐԵՒԱԹԱՓ ՄԸ - AN UNPRECEDENTED LEAF-FALL , Levon Sharoyan.

“October of this year has been a period of heavy loss for the Armenian people. From various shores of the Diaspora, one after another, came somber news of painful losses of eminent individuals of great worth departed from this world and from our midst. People who, in one way or another, had added a distinct hue to the Diaspora and contributed their share to our national-cultural treasury. Compounding this, news also arrived from Armenia regarding the passing of distinguished figures from the realms of culture and literature.

It is true that “life must go on”—or, as Toumanian liked to say, “Death belongs to us, and we belong to death.” The empty seats left behind by those who have departed will, inevitably, be occupied by new persons. But when it comes to the realm of Armenian letters, literature, and Armenian culture in general, every loss inevitably leads us to reflect that the one who has departed has left behind a void—a gap that will be difficult to fill.

Indeed, October 2026 presented a scene of an unprecedented "leaf-fall." October is naturally the month of falling leaves—the harbinger of golden autumn. Yet this year, this beloved month brought us a twofold "leaf-fall".

BENON SEVAN—one of the highest-ranking Armenian officials at the United Nations and a true son of the Cypriot-Armenian community—passed away on October 5th in his birthplace, Nicosia. He was born in 1937 and was a graduate of the Melkonian Educational Institute. He specialized in the field of international relations, having studied at Columbia University. He was considered a brilliant and experienced diplomat. From 1982 to 1988, he headed the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). He served for a considerable time as a United Nations Under-Secretary-General, playing a particularly significant role—including conducting negotiations—regarding the complex crisis in Afghanistan, beginning in 1988. He was also entrusted with the portfolio for the UN’s "Oil-for-Food" program (1996), which concerned Iraq. Thus, Benon Sevan served under the UN umbrella in New York for nearly four decades—until the day in 2005 when he faced formal accusations. He was charged with serious misconduct—allegedly engaging in improper behavior and abusing his position in connection with operations involving Iraq. However, fair-minded sources refuted these allegations, suggesting that the Armenian diplomat had simply fallen victim to the murky, high-stakes political calculations of major powers. (This occurred during the tenure of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. For further insight into the intricacies of these events, one may refer to an illuminating article by Armenia-based journalist Sako Arian, published in the October 25, 2006, issue of the weekly Baikar.) On the Armenian front, Benon Sevan contributed his efforts to the Cyprus chapter of the AGBU. The funeral took place on October 12 at the St. Astvatsatsin Church in Nicosia, where eulogies were delivered by the Catholicosal Vicar, Archbishop Komitas Ohanian; the deceased’s daughter, Jasmine Sevan; and Dr. Viken Asilian (on behalf of the Ramgavar Azatakan Party).

ARTASHES GHAZARYAN—He was known by his pen name, Artashes Aram. He was a distinguished figure in contemporary Armenian prose and poetry. He passed away on October 3. The Writers' Union of Armenia announced the passing of this esteemed member in a formal obituary. The deceased was born in 1955 in the village of Katnaghbyur (in the Talin district of the Aragatsotn province)—much like the ill-fated prose writer Mushegh Galshoyan, whose nephew he was. His academic pursuits followed two distinct paths: he first graduated from the Faculty of Law at Yerevan State University (1979), and later completed advanced studies at the Maxim Gorky Literature Institute in Moscow (1992). He worked at the Armenian State Committee for Television and Radio and contributed to the newspaper Avangard, the magazine Nor Dar (as a senior editor), the literary journal Narcis, and others. Artashes Aram’s literary output was prolific. He published over ten collections of poetry, and a similar number of works in the field of drama. He also wrote literature for children. In addition to these, he produced a substantial body of journalistic, literary-critical, and art-critical articles. He was the recipient of various literary awards. His funeral took place in his native village on October 5, (2026).

 

VAROUJAN ARAKELIAN, with his passing, the Iranian-Armenian community lost a skilled and dedicated architect who, over the course of several decades, contributed significantly to the reconstruction and renovation of precious Armenian architectural monuments—monasteries and churches—across Iran. He was born in Tabriz in 1934. Sites such as the Chapel of the Holy Mother of God (Surb Astvatsatsin) at Dzortsor in the Atropatene region, as well as the monasteries of Saint Thaddeus and Saint Stephen the Protomartyr, were among those that received his devoted care. He personally spearheaded the complex task of relocating and reconstructing the Dzortsor chapel, successfully executing a remarkable architectural feat. He was also actively involved in community affairs. In 2018, the Iranian-Armenian community honored him with a special ceremony, publicly recognizing his achievements and his service to the nation. His funeral took place at St. Sarkis Church on October 12. Eulogies were delivered by Archbishop Krikor Chiftjian, Prelate of the Armenian Diocese of Atropatene; Hayrig Aghanian (of the Diocesan Council); and Artoyt Zohrabian (of the ARF). 

RITA VORPERIAN - the news of her passing away was received from the United States (Mission Hills, Los Angeles) on October 13. Rita was a graduate of the Karen Jeppe National College in Aleppo (class of 1957). After immigrating to America, she took on active and responsible roles within the Hamazkayin and ARS (Armenian Relief Society) circles. She also contributed regularly to the Armenian press—including Asbarez, Hairenik*, and occasionally in Aztag Daily,  and  Pakin literary journal. much like her brother, Hrach. He had attended and received a certificate from the Armenian studies courses formerly offered at Saint Joseph University in Beirut. In the United States, he earned both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master’s degree from UCLA (Los Angeles). Subsequently, he obtained a Ph.D. in the field of Armenian literature and literary criticism. She was 88 years old.

MISSAK HAIGENTZ, one of the stalwarts of the older generation of the Armenian Democratic Liberal Party (ADL/RAK) press, passed away in New Jersey on October 17. Born in Alexandria, Egypt, in 1937—his original surname was Kupelian—he graduated from the local National Boghosian School and the French Lyceum. He subsequently served for eight years as an Armenian-language teacher, while simultaneously engaging in organizational activities under the auspices of the Dikran Yerkat cultural association. In 1963, he moved to Fresno, where, at a young age, he assumed the editorship of the ADL’s tri-weekly newspaper, Nor Or ("New Day"). During his tenure, in 1964, the newspaper’s operations were relocated to Los Angeles. In 1968, he left Nor Or and initially settled for a short time in Detroit; from there, at the behest of AGBU President Alex Manoogian, he soon moved to New York to assume the highly responsible position of Executive Director of the organization (a role he held for about 20 years). In the meantime, he completed his university education in America, earning degrees in both business administration and law. He is the author of several volumes of prose. The funeral service took place on October 22 at the St. Leon Armenian Church in New Jersey, where a eulogy was delivered by Norair Meguerdichian (on behalf of the Armenian Democratic Liberal Party—Ramgavar).