The Eastern Diocese mourns to loss of Diramayr Vartuhi Aljalian, mother of Fr. Arakel Aljalian, who passed away on August 7, at the age of 96.
Diramayr Vartuhi (or Gulu, as she was affectionately known) was the beloved wife of the late Simon Aljalian, and mother of their five children. Widowed at a young age, she nobly sacrificed and lovingly devoted her life to raising the family. Ultimately she was blessed to see seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Born in Sasoon, in historical Armenia, Diramayr was a faithful servant of the Armenian Church who was deeply proud to have given two sons to the service of the Lord and his people, as ordained clergy of the Armenian Church.
Funeral services were held on August 10 at St. Mary Cathedral of the Armenian Patriarchate of Istanbul in Kumkapi. On Sunday, September 18, a 40th-day memorial prayer (karasoonk) for Diramayr will be offered at St. James Church in Watertown, MA, at the conclusion of badarak, with a fellowship hour in her memory to follow.
Memorial donations may be sent to St. James Armenian Church (465 Mount Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472), or made online via the parish’s secure server.
May our merciful Lord Jesus enlighten the soul of his servant Diramayr Vartuhi, and provide comfort to the Aljalian family and all of her loved ones.