On the afternoon of 2 November 2020, at 2:30, the national funeral of ADL party figure and Honorary Member of the Central Board, Kevork Papahekyan, took place at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias.
The funeral service was presided over by the Prelate of the Armenian Diocese of Lebanon, Bishop Shahe Panossian.
In brief remarks, he touched upon the deceased’s rich biography, pointing out the exemplary milestones of his life and work and the instructive qualities of his character. Then, on this occasion, he read the message sent by His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, who years earlier had bestowed upon the deceased friend the high “Knight” medal of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, in appreciation of his sacred national and public service.
The burial service of the devoted friend took place at the National Cemetery in Bourj Hammoud. At the graveside, on behalf of the ADL Central Board and the ADL Lebanon Regional Board and membership, a eulogy was delivered by Central Board member and Chairman of the ADL Lebanon Regional Board, Dr. Avedis Dakesian.
In his speech, characterising Papahekyan as a man, and particularly as an Armenian man, he pointed out his meticulous, virtuous and principled persona: “Papahekyan had faith, deep conviction and belief in his nation and homeland. Throughout his life he was a pioneer of solidarity and legitimacy, rising from modest social positions to the highest party titles, up to member of the Central Board, which he held with full awareness, seriousness, conscientiousness and honour, serving to the best of his ability with selfless love,” said Dakesian.
He also highlighted his national and party activity, noting that “K. Papahekyan, holding responsible positions in both the Armenian Democratic Liberal Party and the Founders’ Body of the Tekeyan Cultural Association, always worked to keep high the name of the Association and the Party, and served the national institutions, opening wide his purse with heart and soul, from the Tekeyan School to Etchmiadzin… then to Artsakh… earning the name of benefactor and being duly honoured by the Homeland and by His Holiness Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia.”
Eulogies were also delivered by: on behalf of the Armenian Democratic Liberal Party, Paroyr Ashbashyan; on behalf of the AGBU family, Hambik Martirosyan; and on behalf of the Board of the Founders’ Body of the Tekeyan Cultural Association, Andranik Dakesian.
Ashbashyan brought to light Papahekyan’s calm, self-restrained and serious national character, which was far from any kind of ostentation, and which was guided by the conviction that serving patriotic, political and national principles is a duty and there is no need to proclaim them. Ashbashyan also noted that the blessed deceased remained faithful throughout his entire life to his homeland, his people, his church and his political schools. “He never changed his ideology; on the contrary, he clung to his ideological direction. Even when there were upheavals, he remained unwavering, because he believed that it is with this principle and these goals that the national cause must continue, for which he called upon all to focus and reunite.”
Ashbashyan testified that for Papahekyan, the ADL, the TCA and the AGBU were all equally dear and respected, and for that reason he had served those organisations with complete devotion and was one of the rare respected figures who, through his authority, his personality and his competence, became a person respected by all.
On behalf of the AGBU Regional Committee, its chairman, the entire Regional body and the membership of the Benevolent Union, condolences were expressed and remarks were made by Mr. Hambik Martirosyan, editor of the official organ “Khosnag.” He began his speech with the line of Western Armenian poet P. Tourian, “How black is this fate, O God,” expressing his conviction that fate becomes black when the subject departs without leaving a memory behind, whereas Kevork Papahekyan departs today leaving behind numerous good memories, worthy of remembrance and commemoration.
Also quoting the famous thought of the Prince of Poetry, Tekeyan, “What remains, what remains for me from life? What I gave to others — strange — that remains,” Mr. Martirosyan added, “And what Kevork Papahekyan gave to this community, from this community to Etchmiadzin, and from Etchmiadzin to Armenia and Artsakh, he gave from his heart, he gave from his soul, and he loved the Nation, the Homeland, he loved Artsakh and he loved the Lebanese-Armenian community, becoming a sought-after, balanced leader.”
Recalling his conversation with Papahekyan in recent days and the latter’s great interest in and heartfelt approach to the existential struggle under way in Artsakh, as well as his joy at the fighting capability and successes of the Armenian army, he expressed the conviction that “Victory is coming, and this capital-letter Man will surely see that victory from above.”
Thus, farewell was bid to the beloved devoted national benefactor, a noble man who thought and acted for the Armenian Press, the Armenian School, the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Armenian Homeland — Kevork Papahekyan, whose work and path shall remain in our memories forever.
