Under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, the Armenian community of Seattle gathered in heartfelt celebration of a milestone, namely the 25th anniversary of the priesthood ordination of the Rev. Fr. Vazgen Boyajyan. This momentous occasion honored not only a quarter-century of faithful service in the Armenian Apostolic Church but also the profound and lasting impact that Fr. Vazgen has made on Armenian communities wherever he served.

Holy Resurrection Armenian Apostolic Church organized the weekend-long commemoration, which brought together faithful parishioners and community leaders from across Washington State, Canada, and the Western Diocese.

A Legacy of Service Across Continents

Fr. Vazgen Boyajyan’s journey in service began with his ordination as a Deacon in the spiritual heart of the Armenian Church—Holy Etchmiadzin. From there, his priestly calling led him to Montreal, where he ministered to the Armenian community with compassion and conviction. In 2018, he began his leadership at Holy Resurrection Church in Seattle, Washington, a community that has since flourished.

Through his devotion to God and his people, Fr. Vazgen has grown Seattle's Armenian school, children's summer camp, and Armenian Church Youth Organization. Through his outreach and humble guidance, several youth in Seattle took the life-changing step of baptism. Under Fr. Vazgen's leadership, Holy Resurrection is currently planning the construction of an Armenian cultural center and school, the first of its kind in Washington State. His investment with the community members into the rising generations and community growth instills a bright future for the Seattle-Armenian community. 

Fr. Vazgen's service extends beyond Washington State. Annually, Fr. Vazgen leads the Christian Youth Mission to Armenia, which connects youth across the Western Diocese to their spiritual and cultural heritage through service and pilgrimage. By connecting communities across the globe.

Gala Banquet Honors a Life of Dedication

The celebration of this special occasion commenced on Saturday, April 26, 2025, with a gala banquet at the Edmonds Yacht Club. Hosted by Holy Resurrection Armenian Apostolic Church and graced by the presence of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, the evening was filled with words of gratitude, artistic performances, and communal joy.

Kristina Pogosian served as the gala’s emcee, facilitating the evening’s beautifully packed program.

Community leaders shared their words of appreciation, among whom stood Parish Council Chair Artak Khachaturian, Deacon Hayk Tadevosyan, Armenian School Director Silva Ghazaryan, and church  member Hasmik Meliksetyan. Each spoke highly about Fr. Vazgen’s spiritual leadership and enduring dedication. Deacon Levon Eesibov presented the next big project of our community, which is the construction of a new community center.

His Holiness Karekin II, the Catholicos of All Armenians, recently presented a great honor upon Fr. Vazgen Boyajyan by bestowing upon him the title of “Archpriest.” In recognition of this significant milestone, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian delivered a heartfelt speech reflecting Fr. Vazgen's spiritual journey and honoring his profound impact on the community. Following this, the Holy Resurrection Armenian Church presented Fr. Vazgen with a custom-made baptism set as a token of gratitude. A special video was shown, chronicling his journey from his early years in seminary to his ordination as a priest and his decades of service and leadership. Additionally, guests received a commemorative pamphlet highlighting this inspiring and impactful journey.

The evening showcased the rich cultural heritage of the Armenian people. Poems recited by Tiruhi Abrahamyan and Franz Bdoyan, traditional dance by Datev Tavitian, and a Komitas tribute by Rouben Khachatryan reminded all in attendance of the spiritual and artistic beauty that unites the Armenian soul. Musical entertainment was provided by the talented violinist and entertainer Harry Hovakimyan, along with a moving duet performed by Konstantin Avakyan and Philip Shabalov. At the end of the program, on behalf of the organizing committee, Diana Akopyan announced that thanks to our sponsors, we not only reached but exceeded our goal, raising $105,000, which will be used for the construction of the community center.

Fr. Vazgen Boyajyan's Remarks at the Gala Dinner

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." (Psalm 100:1)

Dear brothers and sisters, Please accept my words today as an expression of sincere gratitude—to God and all of you—for allowing me to reach and celebrate the 25th anniversary of my service with you. Indeed, for every stage of life—its ups and downs—I thank God. For 25 years, I have prayed that He listens to our prayers, and guides our ministry and community with His will and presence. I am grateful that He has treated our weaknesses with mercy, helped us understand our mistakes patiently, and often granted us the will and strength to correct them. I thank God that after the bitter fruits of our losses and difficulties came the sweet fruits of success and hope. I thank God for giving us strength in times of failure and allowing us the joy of humility in times of success.

I thank my parents for their boundless love, dedication, and upbringing and bow in reverence to their memory. I am certain that our service to God and His Holy Church brings great joy to their souls.

I would also like to thank the members of our Holy Church’s Parish Council, including Chairman Artak Khachatryan and former Chairman Levon Deacon Esibov, who initiated the organization of this 25th ordination anniversary celebration. We are grateful for their dedication and selfless service. My thanks also go to all church committees, our beloved Ladies’ Society, members of ACYO, our deacons, and choir members. Thank you to the teachers of the school, the administration, the parents’ committee, and all the members of our church and community—every one of you—for your presence, encouragement, and heartfelt contributions. Thanks to you, our shared dream will become reality—we will build a school and a community center. This project will be our greatest mission in the coming years. For its success, we rely on God’s support and guidance, and we trust in the willingness and assistance of our community. I am confident we will succeed, for the Lord is our guide. Therefore, I join the Apostle Paul in saying, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” If our works are carried out with faith, and our faith manifests in works, then success will surely accompany us.

I thank my friends who have traveled from Montreal, with whom I have shared a long journey. Beloved friends, it is a joy to see you here with us. I thank my friend Vahan Davtyan for undertaking the responsibility of designing the commemorative book.

I would also like to take this opportunity to express our collective gratitude to God and our faith community, for being considered worthy to belong to His church. I am grateful to each of you. I now invite everyone to join me in applauding all those who made this beautiful event possible—their names are listed in the booklet. I am deeply grateful to all the members and volunteers who have tirelessly contributed to organizing today’s celebration.

Dear all, I have never used public occasions to express my gratitude to my wife, Marine, who has been an irreplaceable partner to me, and a caring and loving mother to our children. I feel truly blessed and joyful for her devotion to our Holy Church. Please accept my words not as formalities, but as sincere testimony. I have always needed the encouragement and presence of my family—my wife and daughters, Nairy and Nanor Amalia—who have always stood by me, supported, me, and strengthened me throughout my spiritual mission.

I want to once again reaffirm our loyalty to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and its Catholicos, His Holiness Karekin II, remaining ever prayerful for the stability of Holy Etchmiadzin and the success of His Holiness’s pastoral mission.

Beloved faithful, when I look back, I see that in every important time in our life, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Srbazan has been present with his counsel, encouragement, and blessing. Let me share some examples:

During our seminary years at the Theological Seminary, we all eagerly awaited Srbazan’s presence, blessings, and guidance. He blessed my and Marine's engagement, and months later, officiated our marriage at St. Hripsime Church. Our relocation from Etchmiadzin to Canada was also done with his blessing. Our ordination and anointing as a priest were performed by him. Our two daughters received the sacrament of baptism from his hands. Every pastoral appointment—to Laval, Montreal, and Ottawa—was with his blessing. And with such a rich history of guidance, one word of encouragement from His Grace was enough to bring us to Seattle, Washington to continue our service. I won’t even mention the numerous church awards I have received through his recognition.

Dear Srbzan, words cannot fully express the depth of our appreciation to Your Eminence. But today is the time to say thank you for all the blessings and care you have shown us. We also give thanks to God that our first steps in the spiritual journey were directed by your guidance. Today, despite your busy schedule, Your presence is an honor and blessing to us all.

Many of you know Hovnan Srbazan—have experienced his pastoral care. Through his organizational skills, the Armenian Church in the United States has multiplied its mission. Many have asked whether it is easy to work with the Bishop since he sets certain standards we are expected to follow. My answer is always: We do not work—we serve. For Srbazan, this is a serious conviction: that clergy must fulfill their responsibilities as service, not simply as a job. I have never thought about whether it’s easy or difficult. But I can confidently say this—working with the Srbazan is a joy because we learn so much from him. For that, I am also thankful to God, and to you, Srbazan Hayr for everything that you do to bloom our beloved Armenian Holy Apostolic Church.

A Day of Worship and Blessing

The celebration continued on Sunday, April 27, as His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian led a spiritually uplifting Divine Liturgy, followed by a Requiem (Merelots) service in solemn remembrance of our departed loved ones.

A special and moving moment of the day was the blessing of the Holy Resurrection Armenian School’s students. Before His Eminence delivered his message, the students offered a deeply touching rendition of “Hayr Mer,” the Lord’s Prayer, in the sacred arrangement composed by Komitas for children. Following this, His Eminence addressed the students directly, offering words of encouragement and inspiration, reminding them that through faith, language, and education, they are called to preserve the Armenian identity and ensure that our traditions continue to thrive in the diaspora. His Eminence then blessed the newly appointed Parish Council, further strengthening the bond between church leadership and the faithful. After the service, the community gathered for a luncheon organized by Holy Resurrection's Ladies Society. 

This offered another opportunity to reflect on Fr. Vazgen’s spiritual journey and to share in the joy of his milestone.

A Beloved Shepherd of Faith

Through his tireless work in ministry and leadership, Fr. Vazgen Boyajyan continues to inspire with his mission-driven, compassionate approach. The Seattle-Armenian community and all communities touched across the globe, is truly blessed by Fr. Vazgen's presence. As we celebrate this 25-year milestone, we not only look back with gratitude but also forward with hope, for all that Fr. Vazgen will continue to offer in his sacred calling.

May Fr. Vazgen Boyajyan’s journey in Christ continue to be a guiding light for generations to come.