Vertanesian/Katmarian

The Board of Trustees of Soorp Astvadzadzin Armenian Apostolic Church of Whitinsville, Massachusetts sent out a “Special Announcement” notifying the community of a special event on November 3, 1963: An Ordination Ceremony, installing a new Pastor for the Parish. The ceremony will be officiated by His Grace Bishop Hrant Khatchadourian, Prelate of the Prelacy of North America. On October 21, 1963, Deacon Hapet Vertanesian would arrive from Cyprus, along with his wife Armenouhi and daughters Maro, Nora and Dzovig. (See Document 1 – “Special Announcement”)

Hapet Vertanesian was a learned man in Armenian, history, religion and music (including sacred music known as “sharagans”). Armenian religious leaders knew he had the needed skills to serve as a religious leader in the Armenian church communities and offered to install him as a priest in the United States. After some thought, he accepted the offer. In the fall of 1963, the family packed and crossed the Atlantic Ocean on the “S.S. United States” ocean liner in turbulent October waters, arriving in Whitinsville, Massachusetts.

Upon the ordination, Reverend Sahag Vertanesian would become the Pastor of the church. Mr. Anoush Bedrossian served as “godfather” to the new Pastor. (Document 2: Worcester Telegram, November 4, 1963)

Hapet Vertanesian was born in Port-Said, Egypt, in the “city of tents” of the Musa Dagh people, who returned to their native homeland in Musa Dagh when it was safe from the massacres of the Armenian people. Hapet’s parents were Bedros and Mariam Vertanesian. Hapet was the youngest of their ten children. They lived in the village of Hadji-Habibli in Musa Dagh. His parents were very religious and raised their children with prayers every day. His father died when he was one year old and his mother raised him until the age of ten, at which time she sent him to the German orphanage in Kessab so that he would be an educated individual rather than become a shepherd in the village. After his mother’s death, Hapet continued his education, and in 1935 he began intense religious studies at the St. James Seminary School in Jerusalem. His mentor was the renown writer, Hagop Oshagan, who engrained in him to always write. Upon completion of his studies at the Seminary, rather than become a clergyman, he became a teacher and choir master in various Armenian communities in Beirut, Lebanon; Latakia, Syria; and Larnaca, Cyprus. (Per Document 3: A Short Biography)

While teaching in Latakia, Hapet met Armenouhi Katmarian, who was teaching at the same school. They married on January 7, 1951 in Latakia, Syria. Armenouhi was the daughter of Genocide survivors Panos and Zarouhi (Levonian) Katmarian. Armenouhi’s parents were orphans from Kutahia and Aintab. Daughters Maro and Nora were born in Latakia in 1952 and 1954 respectively.

The family moved to Larnaca, Cyprus in 1955 as Hapet had received a job as schoolteacher at the Armenian Church School, and also became choirmaster of the church. Their youngest daughter, Dzovig was born there in 1958.

Moving to the United States in 1963, the Vertanesian family quickly adjusted to their new life in Whitinsville. They were learning a new way of life, learning a new language, and mingling in the Armenian-American community. They experienced their first snowfall event in the new climate in December 1963 (see Document 4: Worcester Telegram, Dec. 25, 1963 article). Der Sahag and Yeretzgin (who had also worked as a teacher in Syria) were quick in establishing Armenian School on Saturdays, teaching the children the Armenian language, history, music and customs. (see Hantes photo) The family made wonderful new friends in Whitinsville. Maro and Nora joined the Girl Scouts. Der Sahag was a master of music and religious hymns and thus was very helpful to the church choir, deacons and acolytes.

In Whitinsville, Der Hayr had the opportunity to meet his oldest brother, Alex Vartenisian for the first time. Alex had moved to the U.S. before Hapet’s birth, and had served in the U.S. Army with honors. (See article in Worcester Telegram, April 8, 1964)

In 1965, Der Sahag was transferred to the community of Chicago, Illinois, serving until 1969; then the Washington D.C. community 1969-1984; then North Andover, Massachusetts 1985-1990.

In every community that he served, Der Sahag demonstrated his love of God and his teachings. He spread the knowledge of his beloved Armenian language, traditions, music and history. He published the “Mashdotz” periodical for many years to educate the people. He contributed a wide range of articles to the “Armenian Weekly” and other literary and religious magazines. He published a book called, “From Mousa Dagh to Mount Arara”, chronicling the historic events of the people of Mousa Dagh. His other writings were on the subjects of history, music, national, and poetic. He never stopped writing, as Hagop Oshagan had instructed him.

The Vertanesians were very happy to be United States citizens, enjoying the freedom and opportunities that were a given right to all.

Der Hayr and Yeretzgin retired to Springfield, Massachusetts in 1990, near daughter Nora and her husband Varoujan Santourian and grandsons Shant and Raffi. Der Hayr and Yeretzgin would also enjoy visiting with Maro and Dzovig and their families in Maryland. Reverend Archpriest Sahag Vertanesian did serve churches as needed during retirement. Reverend Archpriest Sahag passed away in 2005 and Yeretzgin Armenouhi in 2020.

To this day, Maro, Nora and Dzovig remember their profound experiences in Whitinsville which remain in their hearts. They have all continued the lessons learned from their parents. They all pursued their education and have been active in the Armenian church as well as American organizations of service.