The Armenian Church LeaderRE: The Passing of Diramayr Bulbul Barsamian, Mother of Archbishop Khajag BarsamianIt grieves me to inform our Diocesan leadership that Diramayr Bulbul Barsamian, the mother of our Primate, His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, entered her eternal rest today, following a period of hospitalization. On behalf of the Eastern Diocese, and in my capacity as Vicar General, I have conveyed our condolences to Archbishop Khajag, offering our sympathies at this time. Diramayr Barsamian was a woman of deep Christian devotion and spirituality. Her kindly, peaceful demeanor, her grace and religious conviction, were apparent to everyone who met her. She was pre-deceased by her beloved husband Ohannes, who shared her sense of patriotism and love for the Armenian Christian heritage. It was inspiring, for so many years, to see the couple side by side in church, both fully absorbed in the beauty of our liturgical celebrations. And even after Dirahayr Ohannes’ passing several years ago, Diramayr Bulbul always radiated a feeling of joy in our Lord to all around her. She wore the title of “diramayr” with great dignity, and a great sense of responsibility. That one of her sons served the church as a clergyman was a point of deep and abiding satisfaction for her; and the tender relationship that existed between mother and son was very touching to behold. Diramayr Bulbul was equally proud of her son Mardiros and daughter Nivart and their families. Our thoughts and prayers are with them all. The wake service for Diramayr Barsamian will take place at the St. Leon Armenian Church, in Fair Lawn, N.J., on Monday, November 25, at 7:00 p.m. The funeral service will take place at the St. Leon Church on Tuesday, November 26, at 10:30 a.m. Clergy who wish to take part in the services should contact St. Leon’s pastor, the Rev. Fr. Diran Bohajian, to whom we are grateful for the kindness and attention he showed to Diramayr, especially during her recent hospitalization. With this letter, I ask that the people of our Diocese remember Diramayr Bulbul in their prayers, and pray, too, for the consolation of our dear Primate and his family members. May our Lord grant rest to His servant Bulbul Barsamian, and remember her on the great day of His judgment. With prayers, The Very Reverend Fr. Simeon Odabashian Diocesan Vicar