Yeghia Hajian: 1933 - 2016
Yeghia Hajian was born on August 13, 1933 in Aleppo, Syria to parents Bedros and Ovsanna Hajian, members of an Armenian Evangelical Church.
By 1952 he was working as a goldsmith. It was during that time, in October 1952 that Yeghia attended revival meetings conducted by Rev. Samuel Doctorian and a Miss C. Helen Mooshian. He attended for 7 days and on October 13, 1952 he gave his life to the Lord. The following year, on Pentecost Sunday 1953, Yeghia was baptized by Rev. Apraham Seferian. From that time forward, he followed and served the Lord Jesus.
Having a heart for evangelism, Yeghia attended a Bible College in Beruit, Lebanon, for 3 years. If was there that he met the love of his life, Aroussiag Guetcherian. They were married on July 21, 1958 in Damascas, Syria.
After being married the newlywed couple lived in the seashore city of Latakia. For three years Yeghia preached the Word of God until in 1961 when the church transferred him to Jerusalem, where he continued to preach.
During this time he would travel to other places to evangelize as well, such as Jordan. While in the Middle East he shared his faith with anyone that would listen, including Muslims, Arabs, and Jews. Whenever given the opportunity he would tell others about his Savior.
In 1959 their first son, Sanadroug, was born, followed by Norayr in 1962.
In January of 1966 God sent the young family to Montreal, Canada to start Montreal’s first Armenian Evangelical church. In addition to evangelizing, he and his wife worked in a hospital and raised their kids. They stayed in Montreal for almost 30 years. During their time in Montreal Yeghia led many people to the Lord
In 1997 Yeghia and Aroussiag moved to Fresno, California so that they could enjoy retirement while being close to family. Retirement did not stop Yeghia from sharing Jesus with people. Whenever given the opportunity he was share his faith.
Yeghia never stopped loving and following Jesus. And he never stopped sharing his faith with people whenever an opportunity was given. He served as a godly pastor in the Church of the Nazarene for over 50 years.
Yeghia loved his family very much. One of his greatest desires was to see his children and grandchildren walking in the ways of the Lord. He would often pray for them with his wife, and would encourage them to read their Bibles and pray. He shared Jesus with them through not only his words but by example. God used this example in the lives of his children/grandchildren.
His joy for the Lord was contagious. He would often start singing joyful songs. One of his favorites was “I have decided to follow Jesus.” Yeghia’s life truly reflected the words of this song. He would always sing songs with conviction and passion, because he knew in his heart that what he was singing was true, and he knew he was singing it for Jesus.
Yeghia made life fun for many people. He was always making jokes or saying something funny. One of his favorite sayings was PTL!
He was also an amazing gardener. This skill and passion was passed down to his son Sanadroug and his grandson Gabriel.
Yeghia is survived by his wife Aroussiag; his children Sanadroug and Norayr; his grandchildren, Nora, Sevan, Sarkis, Hasmig, Gabriel, Aram, Elizabeth, Arpi and Vartan; his great grandchildren Rebecca, Flynn, Elena and Margaux.
By 1952 he was working as a goldsmith. It was during that time, in October 1952 that Yeghia attended revival meetings conducted by Rev. Samuel Doctorian and a Miss C. Helen Mooshian. He attended for 7 days and on October 13, 1952 he gave his life to the Lord. The following year, on Pentecost Sunday 1953, Yeghia was baptized by Rev. Apraham Seferian. From that time forward, he followed and served the Lord Jesus.
Having a heart for evangelism, Yeghia attended a Bible College in Beruit, Lebanon, for 3 years. If was there that he met the love of his life, Aroussiag Guetcherian. They were married on July 21, 1958 in Damascas, Syria.
After being married the newlywed couple lived in the seashore city of Latakia. For three years Yeghia preached the Word of God until in 1961 when the church transferred him to Jerusalem, where he continued to preach.
During this time he would travel to other places to evangelize as well, such as Jordan. While in the Middle East he shared his faith with anyone that would listen, including Muslims, Arabs, and Jews. Whenever given the opportunity he would tell others about his Savior.
In 1959 their first son, Sanadroug, was born, followed by Norayr in 1962.
In January of 1966 God sent the young family to Montreal, Canada to start Montreal’s first Armenian Evangelical church. In addition to evangelizing, he and his wife worked in a hospital and raised their kids. They stayed in Montreal for almost 30 years. During their time in Montreal Yeghia led many people to the Lord
In 1997 Yeghia and Aroussiag moved to Fresno, California so that they could enjoy retirement while being close to family. Retirement did not stop Yeghia from sharing Jesus with people. Whenever given the opportunity he was share his faith.
Yeghia never stopped loving and following Jesus. And he never stopped sharing his faith with people whenever an opportunity was given. He served as a godly pastor in the Church of the Nazarene for over 50 years.
Yeghia loved his family very much. One of his greatest desires was to see his children and grandchildren walking in the ways of the Lord. He would often pray for them with his wife, and would encourage them to read their Bibles and pray. He shared Jesus with them through not only his words but by example. God used this example in the lives of his children/grandchildren.
His joy for the Lord was contagious. He would often start singing joyful songs. One of his favorites was “I have decided to follow Jesus.” Yeghia’s life truly reflected the words of this song. He would always sing songs with conviction and passion, because he knew in his heart that what he was singing was true, and he knew he was singing it for Jesus.
Yeghia made life fun for many people. He was always making jokes or saying something funny. One of his favorite sayings was PTL!
He was also an amazing gardener. This skill and passion was passed down to his son Sanadroug and his grandson Gabriel.
Yeghia is survived by his wife Aroussiag; his children Sanadroug and Norayr; his grandchildren, Nora, Sevan, Sarkis, Hasmig, Gabriel, Aram, Elizabeth, Arpi and Vartan; his great grandchildren Rebecca, Flynn, Elena and Margaux.
My Father
My father introduced me to my Heavenly Father.
My father provided me with security.
My father sacrificed for my well-being.
My father carried me in his arms when I was tired.
My father honoured his marriage to my mother.
My father taught me to respect women.
My father showed me the benefits of hard work.
My father exemplified a love for God.
My father practiced the gift of hospitality.
My father welcomed the stranger.
And yet, there are things I didn’t learn from my father; and that's OK.
My father never took me hiking over the mountains.
My father never took me to a shooting range or on a hunting trip.
My father didn’t teach me how to build or renovate a house.
My father didn’t take me boating down rivers.
But he did leave his mother and father, travel thousands of miles overseas with a wife and two young children and very little money but with a great faith, to a land that was far different from his own, learned the language, worked long hours, eventually brought his parents to Canada as well, was eventually able to buy a house, and then a second one, and a third, and never loose sight that his purpose in life was to serve the Lord.
On November 2, 2016, my father met his Heavenly Father face to face.
He was not “old". Perhaps it was the years of hard work that took their toll. Perhaps it was disease. Some things we don't understand. But his time had come; that much was obvious. I would have loved for him to still be with us. I would have loved to introduce him to more of his great grandchildren. I would have loved to show him the house he helped me with 10 years ago, finally finished.
Now it is my turn. My grandfather is long gone. My father is gone. I stand where my father did a mere 30 years ago. One day my time will come too. I know that. And that’s OK. Everything has its time and place.
Two things I must stay focused on. Where I am headed (my eternal home)… and what legacy am I leaving behind for my children.
Such is life. I thank God for my father.
Norayr Hajian
My father introduced me to my Heavenly Father.
My father provided me with security.
My father sacrificed for my well-being.
My father carried me in his arms when I was tired.
My father honoured his marriage to my mother.
My father taught me to respect women.
My father showed me the benefits of hard work.
My father exemplified a love for God.
My father practiced the gift of hospitality.
My father welcomed the stranger.
And yet, there are things I didn’t learn from my father; and that's OK.
My father never took me hiking over the mountains.
My father never took me to a shooting range or on a hunting trip.
My father didn’t teach me how to build or renovate a house.
My father didn’t take me boating down rivers.
But he did leave his mother and father, travel thousands of miles overseas with a wife and two young children and very little money but with a great faith, to a land that was far different from his own, learned the language, worked long hours, eventually brought his parents to Canada as well, was eventually able to buy a house, and then a second one, and a third, and never loose sight that his purpose in life was to serve the Lord.
On November 2, 2016, my father met his Heavenly Father face to face.
He was not “old". Perhaps it was the years of hard work that took their toll. Perhaps it was disease. Some things we don't understand. But his time had come; that much was obvious. I would have loved for him to still be with us. I would have loved to introduce him to more of his great grandchildren. I would have loved to show him the house he helped me with 10 years ago, finally finished.
Now it is my turn. My grandfather is long gone. My father is gone. I stand where my father did a mere 30 years ago. One day my time will come too. I know that. And that’s OK. Everything has its time and place.
Two things I must stay focused on. Where I am headed (my eternal home)… and what legacy am I leaving behind for my children.
Such is life. I thank God for my father.
Norayr Hajian