On Sunday, April 14, parishioners of Saint Gregory Armenian Church in North Andover, Massachusetts, gathered to honor the late Very Rev. Fr. Yeghishe Manjikian on the fortieth day of his passing on February 21. Fr. Yeghishe served in the Eastern Prelacy during the years 1997-2003, the last three of which he spent as pastor of Saint Gregory Church.
Following the solemn Requiem service in the church sanctuary, everyone gathered in Jaffarian Hall for a memorial tribute in his memory. Rev. Fr. Stephan Baljian, Pastor, relayed the condolences and blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan, Prelate, who, due to prior commitments, could not be there to preside in person.
Fr. Stephan acknowledged that most people in attendance were either too young or too new to the parish to have known Fr. Yeghishe, who had served more than two decades ago. He also mentioned that gathering to memorialize one of the church’s former pastors was an important step in honoring and preserving the history and legacy of the church community, which had seven pastors in its short history of 53 years. He then read the biography of Fr. Yeghishe, highlighting his early life, his entry into the Seminary of the Catholicosate of Cilicia and subsequent ordination as a member of the monastic brotherhood, his many stints in pastoral and administrative roles in various dioceses and his prolific output in Armenian history and literary scholarship. Fr. Stephan remembered him as a very scholarly man who also had a great sense of humor. He revealed that he remembered enjoying his classes, especially his Classical Armenian class, at the St. Gregory of Datev Institute during the years prior to his leaving for Antelias to pursue his studies for the priesthood.
Dn. James Haddad, who was also among the parishioners gathered, also reflected on how Fr. Yeghishe had been his Classical Armenian teacher during his time at the Seminary later in that same decade.
Dn. Avedis Garavanian also made a heartfelt tribute to the late Fr. Yeghishe, remembering his stern demeanor when it came to church knowledge, and also his keen intellect and warm sense of humor. Deacon Dr. John Saryan remembered how his vast knowledge of Armenian history, language and culture was akin to that of his late parents, Sarkis and Arminé Saryan. He recalled how Fr. Yeghishe’s presence and pastoral care was a blessing to him and his family when Mr. Saryan passed away in late 2001.