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Archbishop Sumbat Lapajian Laid To Rest
asbarez
Friday, July 30th, 2010
A scene from Arch. Lapajian's Funeral Service
On Saturday, July 17, one of the longest serving members of the
Catholicosate Brotherhood and the first Prelate of the Western Prelacy
Archbishop Sumbat Lapajian entered eternal rest at Ararat Home in
Mission Hills.
Western Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian presided over the
wake service which was held on the evening of Sunday, July 25, at Holy
Cross Cathedral in Montebello. Participating in the service were
Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Archbishop
Yeprem Tabakian, Very Rev. Father Muron Aznikian, Primate of the
Western Diocese Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Archbishop Vatche
Hovsepian, Archbishop Mikayel Achabahian, Very Rev. Father Baret
Yeretsian, Very Rev. Father Kegham Zakarian, and clergy members.
Following the service, the late Archbishop's English biography was
read by Holy Cross Cathedral Board of Trustees Chair Dr. Hagop
Dikranian.
Archbishop Tabakian paid tribute to Archbishop Lapajian, recalling his
life and service to the Armenian Church.
Archbishop Lapajian was laid to rest at Holy Cross Cathedral on the
morning of Monday, July 26. The Prelate conducted the funeral mass,
with the participation of Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Catholicosate
Vicar of Kuwait and the Gulf Archbishop Gorun Babian, Archbishop
Yeprem Tabakian, Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, Eparch of the Catholic
Church Bishop Manuel Batakian, Mekhitarist Fathers, head of the Syriac
Orthodox Church Archbishop Eugene Kaplan, Minister of the Armenian
Evangelical Union of N. America Rev. Joe Matossian, clergy, and
deacons. Among the more than 400 faithful in attendance were
Catholicosate Central Executive member Khajag Dikijian, Executive and
Religious Councils' members, delegates, Boards of Trustees and Ladies
Auxiliary members, and representatives of the ARF, ARS, and
Homenetmen.
The funeral mass began with the reading of the late Archbishop's
Armenian biography by parish pastor Rev. Fr. Ashod Kambourian.
Prior to the Kiss of Peace, and with the reading of Psalms, the casket
was led to the altar for the Extreme Unction service, during which the
Prelate anointed the forehead and right hand of Archbishop Lapajian.
The casket was then rotated four times to face the four corners of the
world, symbolizing the last greetings of the late Archbishop to the
church, clergy, and faithful.
Archbishop Babian then read the condolence letter of H.H. Catholicos
Aram I, in which he exalted the virtues of Archbishop Lapajian,
remembering him as a kind, compassionate, and humble clergyman.
The Prelate delivered the eulogy, exalting Archbishop Lapajian as a
remarkable man and clergyman who devoted his life, heart, and soul to
working for our Lord.
He remembered him as a humble and faithful servant of God, a simple
and kind man who related to every one and empathized with every one,
thus earning the love, respect, and admiration of the community. He
spoke of him as a dedicated son of the Armenian church and nation,
whose life and service bore witness to his deep love and devotion to
our Lord and our church. He was a devoted pastor and spiritual
leader, who was always there, in good times and in bad, and who was
more like a family member to many in his congregation. He was an
effective leader, who as the first Prelate of the Western Prelacy was
instrumental in the establishment of a number of parishes and schools.
He was a talented teacher who influenced the lives of countless
students from Lebanon to the United States, and an exceptional
preacher of the Word of God who dedicated his life to spreading the
word of Christ, teaching it, and instilling it in his parishioners.
`We are privileged to have had a clergyman like Archbishop Lapajian
serve within the Western Prelacy for over four decades, and we are
ever thankful for his many accomplishments and contributions to the
advancement of our Prelacy and to the spiritual nourishment he
provided to our community. He led a life of great service and leaves
behind a legacy which will not be forgotten. Through our many fond
memories, his influence will continue', said the Prelate.
As the choir sang during the Kiss of Peace, clergy members one by one
ascended the altar and approached the casket to pay their final
respects by kissing the late Archbishop's forehead and right hand.
Clergy members then joined together to lower the casket from the altar
to allow the faithful the opportunity to pay their respects as well.
Accompanied by prayer and the singing of hymns, the casket was led to
the courtyard of the church. Given that Archbishop Lapajian spent a
large part of his life serving the Holy Cross parish community, per
his wishes and by the authorization of H.H. Catholicos Aram I, he was
interred in the courtyard of Holy Cross Cathedral.
The service concluded with the singing of the Cilician anthem, after
which the faithful to a memorial luncheon at `Bagramian' Hall, hosted
by the Holy Cross Board of Trustees.
Following the opening prayer, Dr. Hagop Dikranian invited Archbishop
Choloyan to offer his remarks. He reflected on the humility,
goodness, and simplicity of Archbishop Lapajian, as well as his
unwavering faith and devotion to our Lord Jesus Christ.
Prior to a slide show chronicling the life and works of Archbishop
Lapajian, L.A. City Council member Paul Krekorian, Archbishop Vatche
Hovsepian, John Kossakian (representing the ARF Central Committee),
Central Executive member Khajag Dikijian, Levon Kirakosian
(representing the Executive Council), and Knar Baghdassarian
(representing Holy Cross Cathedral Ladies Auxiliary) were invited to
convey their sympathies. Letters of condolence from State Senator
Carol Liu and President of Haigazian University Rev. Paul Haidostian
were also read.
In memory of the late Archbishop, the `Holy Cross Archbishop Sumbat
Lapajian Memorial Fund' has been established.
May his memory remain ever blessed.
Prelate's Eulogy For Archbishop Sumbat Lapajian
Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know
that your labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).
Dearly beloved,
With a heavy heart we are gathered in this sanctuary to pay our final
respects to our beloved brother-in-Christ Archbishop Sumbat Lapajian,
a remarkable man and clergyman who lived his life true to this
Scripture passage, devoting his life, heart, and soul to working for
the Lord.
It is said the measure of a life well-lived is through the lives they
touched. If Archbishop Lapajian's life is to be measured by those he
touched, then he lived a truly rewarding and purpose-filled life.
Most of you here today had the good fortune of knowing him personally,
and you all have your own personal memories of him.
Archbishop Lapajian was many things to many people, but he was first
and foremost a humble and faithful servant of God. Having been
orphaned at a very early age, he was raised at the Birds' Nest
Orphanage under the guidance of Maria Jacobsen, who nurtured him and
shaped him into the man he became. Rather than discourage him, his
lot in life served only to strengthen him, inspire him, and prepare
him for his calling and ministry to help others in need. Through hard
work and dedication he rose to prominence, but he remained humble no
matter what position or title he held. He was a simple man, a kind
man who related to any and every one and empathized with his fellow
man. This humility and sincerity earned him the love, respect, and
admiration of all who knew him.
Archbishop Lapajian was a dedicated son of the Armenian church and
nation. From early on, he felt a calling to serve God, the Armenian
Church, and the Armenian people, and remained steadfast and unwavering
in this calling and mission throughout six decades. He served with
the same conviction and passion from the time of his arrival in the
United States in the early 1960's until recent years, giving himself
fully to the work of the Lord and to his flock. His life and service
bore witness to his deep love for and devotion to our Lord and our
Church.
He was a devoted pastor and spiritual leader. I am sure there are
generations of families here who were baptized and wed by Archbishop
Lapajian, or had him conduct funeral services for your loved ones. In
good times and in bad, he was always there, whether to share in the
joy of a birth or marriage, or the sorrow of a death. He was there to
celebrate on joyous occasions, and there to console in times of
sadness. To many of you he was more than a pastor; he was a family
member, a father figure, a grandfather, a mentor, a friend who could
be called upon at any given moment.
He was also an effective leader, who was the first Prelate elected to
head the Western United Sates. During his tenure, and even prior to
being elected Prelate, he was instrumental in the establishment of a
number of parishes and schools which are thriving today, and set the
foundation for the successes we have today.
He was a talented teacher who influenced the lives of many of his
students in Lebanon and the United States. Understanding the value of
an education, he dedicated himself to self-education after having to
leave school at a young age to earn a living. He eventually returned
to school, graduating from Haigazian University, and became a teacher
himself. In the many years he spent teaching, he ensured that his
students received the best education he could provide and thus the
best opportunities life had to offer. I am sure his students are
among us today and remember their beloved teacher and his teachings
from long ago.
Finally, he was an exceptional preacher of the Word of God. Each and
every Sunday he stood on this very altar, and before that on the altar
of Holy Cross Church in Los Angeles and of various Prelacy Churches,
and taught his congregation the Word of God through his spiritually
uplifting sermons. He spoke with wisdom yet simplicity, with
solemnity yet humor, in a manner that young and old could relate to.
`Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly' (Colossians 3:16). The
word of Christ dwelled in Archbishop Lapajian, in accordance with
these words by the Apostle of Christ. It was the guiding force of all
he spoke and all he did, and he dedicated his life to spreading the
word of Christ, teaching it and instilling it in his parishioners.
The Lord gave us this remarkable man, and for that we are grateful.
`The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of
the Lord' (Job 1:21). We are privileged to have had a clerygman like
Archbishop Lapajian serve within the Western Prelacy for over four
decades, and we are ever thankful for his many accomplishments and
contributions to the advancement of our Prelacy and to the spiritual
nourishment he provided to our community.
And now, the Lord has taken away, He has called His servant home.
`Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give
you rest' (Matthew 11:28). Let us find comfort in that he is now
removed from the physical pain and suffering of the last few years and
in the abiding presence of God where there is no sorrow nor pain, but
the fullness of peace and joy with the Son and the Holy Spirit.
And let us not despair, for his life was truly fruitful. He led a
life of great service and leaves behind a legacy which will not be
forgotten. Through our many fond memories, his influence will
continue.
His loss is being felt far and wide, from the Catholicosate of Cilicia
in Lebanon, to Brotherhood members in various Dioceses around the
world, to our Prelacy, and especially the parish community of Holy
Cross Cathedral where he was a beloved everyday presence for forty
years.
May God bless the memory of Archbishop Sumbat Lapajian, and may
eternal light shine upon him as he dwells in peace in the glory and
kingdom of our Lord Almighty.
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian
Prelate, Western United States
From: A. Papazian
asbarez
Friday, July 30th, 2010
A scene from Arch. Lapajian's Funeral Service
On Saturday, July 17, one of the longest serving members of the
Catholicosate Brotherhood and the first Prelate of the Western Prelacy
Archbishop Sumbat Lapajian entered eternal rest at Ararat Home in
Mission Hills.
Western Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian presided over the
wake service which was held on the evening of Sunday, July 25, at Holy
Cross Cathedral in Montebello. Participating in the service were
Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Archbishop
Yeprem Tabakian, Very Rev. Father Muron Aznikian, Primate of the
Western Diocese Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Archbishop Vatche
Hovsepian, Archbishop Mikayel Achabahian, Very Rev. Father Baret
Yeretsian, Very Rev. Father Kegham Zakarian, and clergy members.
Following the service, the late Archbishop's English biography was
read by Holy Cross Cathedral Board of Trustees Chair Dr. Hagop
Dikranian.
Archbishop Tabakian paid tribute to Archbishop Lapajian, recalling his
life and service to the Armenian Church.
Archbishop Lapajian was laid to rest at Holy Cross Cathedral on the
morning of Monday, July 26. The Prelate conducted the funeral mass,
with the participation of Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Catholicosate
Vicar of Kuwait and the Gulf Archbishop Gorun Babian, Archbishop
Yeprem Tabakian, Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, Eparch of the Catholic
Church Bishop Manuel Batakian, Mekhitarist Fathers, head of the Syriac
Orthodox Church Archbishop Eugene Kaplan, Minister of the Armenian
Evangelical Union of N. America Rev. Joe Matossian, clergy, and
deacons. Among the more than 400 faithful in attendance were
Catholicosate Central Executive member Khajag Dikijian, Executive and
Religious Councils' members, delegates, Boards of Trustees and Ladies
Auxiliary members, and representatives of the ARF, ARS, and
Homenetmen.
The funeral mass began with the reading of the late Archbishop's
Armenian biography by parish pastor Rev. Fr. Ashod Kambourian.
Prior to the Kiss of Peace, and with the reading of Psalms, the casket
was led to the altar for the Extreme Unction service, during which the
Prelate anointed the forehead and right hand of Archbishop Lapajian.
The casket was then rotated four times to face the four corners of the
world, symbolizing the last greetings of the late Archbishop to the
church, clergy, and faithful.
Archbishop Babian then read the condolence letter of H.H. Catholicos
Aram I, in which he exalted the virtues of Archbishop Lapajian,
remembering him as a kind, compassionate, and humble clergyman.
The Prelate delivered the eulogy, exalting Archbishop Lapajian as a
remarkable man and clergyman who devoted his life, heart, and soul to
working for our Lord.
He remembered him as a humble and faithful servant of God, a simple
and kind man who related to every one and empathized with every one,
thus earning the love, respect, and admiration of the community. He
spoke of him as a dedicated son of the Armenian church and nation,
whose life and service bore witness to his deep love and devotion to
our Lord and our church. He was a devoted pastor and spiritual
leader, who was always there, in good times and in bad, and who was
more like a family member to many in his congregation. He was an
effective leader, who as the first Prelate of the Western Prelacy was
instrumental in the establishment of a number of parishes and schools.
He was a talented teacher who influenced the lives of countless
students from Lebanon to the United States, and an exceptional
preacher of the Word of God who dedicated his life to spreading the
word of Christ, teaching it, and instilling it in his parishioners.
`We are privileged to have had a clergyman like Archbishop Lapajian
serve within the Western Prelacy for over four decades, and we are
ever thankful for his many accomplishments and contributions to the
advancement of our Prelacy and to the spiritual nourishment he
provided to our community. He led a life of great service and leaves
behind a legacy which will not be forgotten. Through our many fond
memories, his influence will continue', said the Prelate.
As the choir sang during the Kiss of Peace, clergy members one by one
ascended the altar and approached the casket to pay their final
respects by kissing the late Archbishop's forehead and right hand.
Clergy members then joined together to lower the casket from the altar
to allow the faithful the opportunity to pay their respects as well.
Accompanied by prayer and the singing of hymns, the casket was led to
the courtyard of the church. Given that Archbishop Lapajian spent a
large part of his life serving the Holy Cross parish community, per
his wishes and by the authorization of H.H. Catholicos Aram I, he was
interred in the courtyard of Holy Cross Cathedral.
The service concluded with the singing of the Cilician anthem, after
which the faithful to a memorial luncheon at `Bagramian' Hall, hosted
by the Holy Cross Board of Trustees.
Following the opening prayer, Dr. Hagop Dikranian invited Archbishop
Choloyan to offer his remarks. He reflected on the humility,
goodness, and simplicity of Archbishop Lapajian, as well as his
unwavering faith and devotion to our Lord Jesus Christ.
Prior to a slide show chronicling the life and works of Archbishop
Lapajian, L.A. City Council member Paul Krekorian, Archbishop Vatche
Hovsepian, John Kossakian (representing the ARF Central Committee),
Central Executive member Khajag Dikijian, Levon Kirakosian
(representing the Executive Council), and Knar Baghdassarian
(representing Holy Cross Cathedral Ladies Auxiliary) were invited to
convey their sympathies. Letters of condolence from State Senator
Carol Liu and President of Haigazian University Rev. Paul Haidostian
were also read.
In memory of the late Archbishop, the `Holy Cross Archbishop Sumbat
Lapajian Memorial Fund' has been established.
May his memory remain ever blessed.
Prelate's Eulogy For Archbishop Sumbat Lapajian
Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know
that your labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).
Dearly beloved,
With a heavy heart we are gathered in this sanctuary to pay our final
respects to our beloved brother-in-Christ Archbishop Sumbat Lapajian,
a remarkable man and clergyman who lived his life true to this
Scripture passage, devoting his life, heart, and soul to working for
the Lord.
It is said the measure of a life well-lived is through the lives they
touched. If Archbishop Lapajian's life is to be measured by those he
touched, then he lived a truly rewarding and purpose-filled life.
Most of you here today had the good fortune of knowing him personally,
and you all have your own personal memories of him.
Archbishop Lapajian was many things to many people, but he was first
and foremost a humble and faithful servant of God. Having been
orphaned at a very early age, he was raised at the Birds' Nest
Orphanage under the guidance of Maria Jacobsen, who nurtured him and
shaped him into the man he became. Rather than discourage him, his
lot in life served only to strengthen him, inspire him, and prepare
him for his calling and ministry to help others in need. Through hard
work and dedication he rose to prominence, but he remained humble no
matter what position or title he held. He was a simple man, a kind
man who related to any and every one and empathized with his fellow
man. This humility and sincerity earned him the love, respect, and
admiration of all who knew him.
Archbishop Lapajian was a dedicated son of the Armenian church and
nation. From early on, he felt a calling to serve God, the Armenian
Church, and the Armenian people, and remained steadfast and unwavering
in this calling and mission throughout six decades. He served with
the same conviction and passion from the time of his arrival in the
United States in the early 1960's until recent years, giving himself
fully to the work of the Lord and to his flock. His life and service
bore witness to his deep love for and devotion to our Lord and our
Church.
He was a devoted pastor and spiritual leader. I am sure there are
generations of families here who were baptized and wed by Archbishop
Lapajian, or had him conduct funeral services for your loved ones. In
good times and in bad, he was always there, whether to share in the
joy of a birth or marriage, or the sorrow of a death. He was there to
celebrate on joyous occasions, and there to console in times of
sadness. To many of you he was more than a pastor; he was a family
member, a father figure, a grandfather, a mentor, a friend who could
be called upon at any given moment.
He was also an effective leader, who was the first Prelate elected to
head the Western United Sates. During his tenure, and even prior to
being elected Prelate, he was instrumental in the establishment of a
number of parishes and schools which are thriving today, and set the
foundation for the successes we have today.
He was a talented teacher who influenced the lives of many of his
students in Lebanon and the United States. Understanding the value of
an education, he dedicated himself to self-education after having to
leave school at a young age to earn a living. He eventually returned
to school, graduating from Haigazian University, and became a teacher
himself. In the many years he spent teaching, he ensured that his
students received the best education he could provide and thus the
best opportunities life had to offer. I am sure his students are
among us today and remember their beloved teacher and his teachings
from long ago.
Finally, he was an exceptional preacher of the Word of God. Each and
every Sunday he stood on this very altar, and before that on the altar
of Holy Cross Church in Los Angeles and of various Prelacy Churches,
and taught his congregation the Word of God through his spiritually
uplifting sermons. He spoke with wisdom yet simplicity, with
solemnity yet humor, in a manner that young and old could relate to.
`Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly' (Colossians 3:16). The
word of Christ dwelled in Archbishop Lapajian, in accordance with
these words by the Apostle of Christ. It was the guiding force of all
he spoke and all he did, and he dedicated his life to spreading the
word of Christ, teaching it and instilling it in his parishioners.
The Lord gave us this remarkable man, and for that we are grateful.
`The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of
the Lord' (Job 1:21). We are privileged to have had a clerygman like
Archbishop Lapajian serve within the Western Prelacy for over four
decades, and we are ever thankful for his many accomplishments and
contributions to the advancement of our Prelacy and to the spiritual
nourishment he provided to our community.
And now, the Lord has taken away, He has called His servant home.
`Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give
you rest' (Matthew 11:28). Let us find comfort in that he is now
removed from the physical pain and suffering of the last few years and
in the abiding presence of God where there is no sorrow nor pain, but
the fullness of peace and joy with the Son and the Holy Spirit.
And let us not despair, for his life was truly fruitful. He led a
life of great service and leaves behind a legacy which will not be
forgotten. Through our many fond memories, his influence will
continue.
His loss is being felt far and wide, from the Catholicosate of Cilicia
in Lebanon, to Brotherhood members in various Dioceses around the
world, to our Prelacy, and especially the parish community of Holy
Cross Cathedral where he was a beloved everyday presence for forty
years.
May God bless the memory of Archbishop Sumbat Lapajian, and may
eternal light shine upon him as he dwells in peace in the glory and
kingdom of our Lord Almighty.
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian
Prelate, Western United States
From: A. Papazian