PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Karine Abalyan
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
December 7, 2009
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ST. LEON PARISH OF FAIR LAWN, NJ, CELEBRATES PASTOR’S MILESTONES
Thanksgiving weekend was especially festive this year at St. Leon Armenian
Church in Fair Lawn, N.J., where hundreds of parishioners gathered to
celebrate their pastor’s 50th birthday and the 10th anniversary of his
service to the parish on Sunday, November 29.
The day’s honoree, the Rev. Fr. Diran Bohajian, celebrated the Divine
Liturgy. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America (Eastern), delivered the homily.
Archbishop Barsamian spoke about the "deep roots of giving thanks to God in
the Armenian Christian heritage." From the hymns of daily services to the
prayers offered before and after meals, to the Divine Liturgy itself,
Armenian faithful are always reminded of Christ’s sacrifice for mankind,
which is "our greatest reason for thanksgiving," the Primate said.
"As a nation, we are grateful to God for that gift of salvation, which was
brought to us by the two Apostles of Christ, and we are grateful that we are
able to continue our spiritual traditions from one generation to another,
especially through the leadership of Armenian clergy," Archbishop Barsamian
said.
"Here in our Diocese we have dedicated clergy," the Primate said, "and today
we are gathered to celebrate one such servant of God: Fr. Diran Bohajian."
‘Testimony of love’
Following services, a luncheon was held to recognize Fr. Bohajian for his
contributions to the parish. Some 500 people gathered for the event, which
was so popular it spurred a waiting list and organizers said they had to
relocate the program from the church hall to the parish’s new gymnasium.
Greeting guests in the lobby of the Education and Recreation Center was a
slide show of photographs highlighting milestones in Fr. Bohajian’s life.
The presentation was compiled by his daughter, Anastasia.
Inside the gymnasium, event co-chairs Diane Dadekian and Margaret Ajamian
set up food stations offering international fare, including parish-made
Armenian delicacies, as well as Italian and Asian courses. With no assigned
seating, guests were encouraged to move from table to table, meet new
people, and share conversation.
Throughout the afternoon, representatives of various parish organizations –
ranging from the Women’s Guild and the Men’s Fellowship to the ACYOA and the
choir – spoke about Fr. Bohajian’s work at St. Leon Church and presented him
with affectionate gifts, including basketball jerseys, and a chain with the
Armenian letter "Dyoon" for "Der Hayr" and the number "50" marking Fr.
Bohajian’s milestone birthday.
"Those speakers were so endearing, and said such wonderful things about Der
Hayr," Margaret Ajamian said. "Everybody loves him. He’s such a great leader
– very strong-willed but diplomatic."
On behalf of the parish, Fr. Bohajian also received a pectoral cross, which
was engraved for the occasion. The church’s senior deacon, Charles Pinajian,
gave remarks, as did parish council chair Glenn Ajamian, and others from the
community. A number of letters also were read from those who could not
attend the event.
"I was very surprised by the turnout," Fr. Bohajian said. "To me it’s a
testimony of the love they have for the church."
Archbishop Barsamian – who ordained Richard Bohajian to the priesthood in
1993, and gave him the priestly name Diran – offered blessings and good
wishes to Fr. Bohajian and Yn. Kismet, and to their three children:
Anastasia, Richard, and Aram.
"I’m very thankful and very appreciative that Srpazan was able to come," Fr.
Bohajian said. "He’s my spiritual father.and for him to be able to take the
time out to worship with us, to offer a homily, and then to spend time with
us was special."
‘A family-oriented parish’
A native of New Jersey, Fr. Bohajian grew up in Fort Lee and attended Holy
Cross Armenian Church of Union City with his family, where he served on the
altar, played on the church basketball team, and was active in the local
ACYOA.
He studied history and philosophy at New Jersey City University, and went on
to earn a Master of Divinity Degree from St. Nersess Armenian Seminary.
Following his graduation from St. Nersess in 1991, Fr. Bohajian completed
coursework at the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem and later assumed the
position of deacon-in-charge at St. Stepanos Armenian Church of Elberon,
N.J.
In 1993, Fr. Bohajian was ordained to the priesthood at St. Stepanos Church.
He continued serving the parish until the fall of 1999, when he became
pastor of St. Leon Church. Parishioners from the St. Stepanos Church, many
of whom keep in touch with Fr. Bohajian, attended last month’s celebration.
Fr. Bohajian "heard God’s call and responded to that call," the Primate
said. "He is dedicated, humble, committed, and loved by everyone in the
parish because he loves his flock."
At St. Leon Church, a growing parish in a burgeoning New Jersey suburb, Fr.
Bohajian has helped strengthen programs for families, building on existing
organizations and introducing new initiatives, such as the Lenten Lecture
Series and an ACYOA Seniors chapter.
He says the most important aspect of his ministry is "bringing people back
to Christ" by helping them "become engaged in the life of the church." That
means spending time praying with families, attending wedding receptions and
memorial meals, and calling to ask about a soccer game or a graduation
ceremony.
"We’re all priests, but we’re not all pastors," he said. "I try to make it
personal, and I try to reach out to people and make them feel as welcomed as
possible."
With more Armenian families moving into the area, the parish continues to
expand. Last year, the community gathered to dedicate its new, two-story
Education and Recreation Center, which is comprised of the Charles and Grace
Pinajian Youth Center, George and Shakae Shahinian Gymnasium, and the Sarkis
and Siran Gabrellian Educational Building.
"Our parish has really grown since he’s been the pastor," Diane Dadekian
said. "It’s a family-oriented parish. We’re very active."
The community is also involved on a Diocesan level, with a number of its
members taking part on various Diocesan committees. Just a little over a
week before the November 29 celebration, Diane and Stephen Dadekian hosted
at their home a gathering for the 2009 Annual Appeal.
"I believe the parish will remain strong because we have a strong foundation
with our youth," Fr. Bohajian said. "The future is promising."
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Photos attached (please credit Linda Harutunian).
Photo 1: Rev. Fr. Diran Bohajian, pastor of St. Leon Armenian Church, where
he has been serving for 10 years, turned 50 last month.
Photo 2: Rev. Fr. Diran and Yn. Kismet Bohajian at the celebratory luncheon
held in Fr. Bohajian’s honor in late November.