With the deepest sorrow, the Eastern Diocese mourns the loss of Sarkis Bedevian, a remarkable leader and lifelong son of the Armenian Church, who passed away on January 6, 2025. He was 89.
Deeply committed to the Armenian Church throughout his life, Sarkis was a genuine pillar of the Armenian community, whose service began in his native Jerusalem, deepened and grew in our own Diocese, and then blossomed in wonderous ways to benefit our church across the diaspora, and especially in our homeland.
Sarkis was a devoted leader of St. Leon Church in Fair Lawn, NJ, and he was extremely active at the Diocesan level, serving on the Eastern Council, and the boards of the Armenian Church Endowment Fund and St. Nersess Seminary, among other positions. He was a mighty supporter of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, and a recipient of its highest awards, bestowed by His Holiness Karekin II, the Catholicos of All Armenians. The benefactions of Sarkis and Ruth Bedevian strengthened Armenian causes around the world.
Anyone who met Sarkis immediately perceived his grand spirit and generous soul. He was above all a man of great humility—down-to-earth, decent, and good-hearted; the kind of person others instinctively sought out in times of distress and need, because they knew they would find a sensitive, compassionate, and stalwart friend in Sarkis. He was a man who felt the hand of God in his life, and who responded to all around him from a sense of love, responsibility, and gratitude.
Sarkis and his dearly beloved wife Ruth share a beautiful, tender marriage, where each brought out the best in the other. Ruth was the inspiration and partner in everything Sarkis did. Together they were able to honor their heritage, and also pass it down to their children Peter, Deoborah, and Peggy—who have become exemplary, faithful people in their own right—and to their grandchildren Gregory, David, Matthew, and the late Ruby Alice. All are in our thoughts and prayers at this time.
“Sarkis Bedevian was an exemplary man, a faithful man—the kind of man in whom one observed the true depth and dignity of the Armenian Christian heritage,” said Diocesan Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan. “He was responsible for great achievements at the highest level of our church; and yet Sarkis was always approachable, always eager to render some quiet, personal service to those around him. His spirit was always that of a humble servant of our Lord.”
The funeral arrangements are as follows:
Visitation hours for Sarkis Bedevian will be held at St. Leon Armenian Church (12-61 Saddle River Road, Fair Lawn, NJ) on Friday, January 17, from 4 to 8 p.m., with the dahn gark (wake) service at 7 p.m.
The funeral service will be on Saturday, January 18, at St. Leon Church, at 11 a.m.
His Holiness Karekin II, the Catholicos of All Armenians, will travel to America to preside over these services and honor Sarkis’ life.
The family has asked that memorial donations in Sarkis Bedevian’s memory be made to the St. Leon Armenian Church. The Bedevian family’s touching memorial tribute to Sarkis’ life and work appears below.
We pray to our risen Lord to remember his faithful servant Sarkis Bedevian in His kingdom, and to grant consolation to Sarkis’ loved ones.
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In Memoriam: Sarkis Bedevian
September 4, 1936 – January 6, 2025
The Lord called His faithful servant home on Monday, January 6th—Armenian Christmas—with the words, “Rest now. Job well done.”
Sarkis Bedevian was born in the Armenian Quarter of Jerusalem on September 4, 1936. From an early age, he accompanied his mother, Baidsar, an orphaned survivor of the Armenian Genocide, to church every Sunday. Baidsar ensured that the Armenian Church became the center of his life. Sarkis grew up attending Sourp Tarkmanchatz (Holy Translators) School. His father, Mgrditch, had ancestral roots in the Old City dating back to the Crusades.
With the support and deep love of his family, Sarkis left his birthplace at the age of 22 and immigrated to the United States. He enrolled in New York University’s School of Commerce, majoring in Accounting and Finance. Through the introduction of Arsham Kradjian, he was able to expedite his visa as a foreign student despite the limited quota system of the time. To fund his education, Sarkis worked as a waiter during the summers in the Catskills.
His first friends in America were Fr. Vatche Hovsepian—who later became Archbishop Vatche, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church—and Dn. Antranig, who later became Fr. Carnig Hallajian. At an ACYOA gathering, Sarkis met his future bride, Ruth Alice Shahbazian. Their first date was a visit to the Shahbazian family summer home in Belmar, NJ. That weekend, Sarkis invited Ruth to attend St. Mary Armenian Church in Elberon, NJ (later rebuilt and renamed St. Stepanos). They were married on October 20, 1962.
Sarkis lived by his priorities—faith, family, and church. He worked diligently as an accountant to provide for his family. When he was told he would never advance in his company because of his “foreign” accent, he decided to start his own accounting practice. With God’s blessing, his talents flourished. Thanks to the unwavering support of his devoted wife, who stayed home to care for their three children—Peter, Debby, and Peggy—Sarkis grew his business into a successful enterprise that provided abundantly for his family’s needs.
His friends trusted him, and he expanded his expertise into real estate investment. Sarkis generously shared his success with his extended family and the Armenian Church, which always held a special place in his heart.
Sarkis affectionately called his wife “Ruthie,” and together they raised their children in St. Leon Armenian Church in Fair Lawn, NJ, Sarkis fulfilled many roles in church life, serving as Superintendent of Sunday School, Treasurer of the Parish Council, and Co-Chairman of the Building Fund for the St. Leon Armenian Church Community Center. His dedication extended beyond his home parish to the Eastern Diocesan Council, the Armenian Church Endowment Fund, and the Board of St. Nersess Armenian Seminary.
Though Sarkis’ family was spread across the globe, he remained deeply connected to his sister, brother, nephews, nieces, cousins, and the Shahbazian family into which he had married. He made numerous trips over the years to Toronto, California, and Jerusalem, ensuring his presence at family celebrations.
In October 1985, Sarkis and Ruth made their first pilgrimage to Armenia, then under Soviet rule. During this trip, their friendship with Fr. Karekin Nersissian blossomed. At the time, Fr. (subsequently Bishop and Archbishop) Karekin was the Primate of the Araratian Diocese and had been assigned to host and assist international guests celebrating the anniversary of His Holiness Vasken I’s election as the 130th Catholicos of All Armenians. Year’s later, after the passing of the 131st Catholicos of All Armenians, His Holiness Karekin I (Sarkissian) in 1999, Archbishop Karekin Nersissian was elected as the 132nd Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, and became His Holiness Karekin II.
With the collapse of the USSR and the rebirth of an independent Armenia, Sarkis and Ruth returned to their ancestral homeland many times, devoting themselves to its restoration. Together, they gave generously of their time, talent, and resources, beginning with the sponsorship of a building for a new school in Gyumri. They were committed to restoring Armenia’s Christian roots and supported the Vaskenian Seminary. In 2001, they approached His Holiness Karekin II for his blessing to build a cathedral, youth center, and dining hall for the elderly in Vanadzor. The St. Gregory of Narek Church was consecrated in 2005.
Almost 20 years later, on what would be his final trip to Armenia, Sarkis found immense joy in witnessing the children creating artwork in their classrooms and the faithful lighting candles in the church he helped establish. During that same trip, he reunited with his godson—now grown, a graduate of the American University of Armenia, and with a family of his own. He witnessed the ordination of Bishop Mesrob Parsamyan, Primate of the Eastern Diocese. He prayed for Artsakh and took Holy Communion at Etchmiadzin. For the last time, Sarkis looked out upon Republic Square from his favorite spot on the seventh floor of the Marriott Hotel and walked Amiryan Street. He sat out in front of the hotel and savored his “happy place” with his grandson, daughter, cousin, nephew, best friend and everyone who stopped by to say hello.
During his lifetime, His Holiness honored Sarkis with numerous distinctions, including the St. Nersess Shnorhali Medal, the St. Gregory the Illuminator Medal, the Knight of Holy Etchmiadzin Medal, and the Holy Etchmiadzin Medal—the highest pontifical medal bestowed. In 2008, he was deeply honored to serve as Godfather at the Blessing of Holy Muron. Sarkis also founded the Friends of Holy See of Etchmiadzin (FOHE), where he recruited and mentored a younger generation to carry on its vital work, ensuring its future.
Sarkis’ counsel was sought by many. His heart was expansive enough to embrace not only his family and church but also his homeland of Armenia and his adopted country, the United States. In recognition of his contributions, he was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 2010.
God blessed Sarkis with four grandchildren—Gregory, David, Matthew, and Ruby Alice, who entered Eternal Rest on July 23, 2024. He was also blessed with his loyal son Peter, who joined Bedevian Management in 2004 to continue his legacy. His daughter Debby lovingly accompanied him on his last trip to Armenia, always ensuring he had chocolate to snack on and madzoon soup to enjoy. His youngest daughter, Peggy, provided devoted companionship throughout his long and fulfilling life.
Sarkis will be remembered as a true gentleman, known for his generosity, kindness, and unwavering commitment to his family and church. He is cherished and will be greatly missed by his nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. In his later years, he worshipped at St. Leon in Fair Lawn and St. Gregory in Pasadena, CA, singing the sharagans he had learned in his youth. For those who miss him, he will be present in the memories of those sacred spaces, inspiring others to serve with their own gifts.
Sarkis’ humility was reflected in his quiet dedication, and his generosity was a natural expression of his faith, values, and character. He will be laid to rest with earth from both Jerusalem and Armenia, alongside his father, his in-laws, and many beloved friends from St. Leon at George Washington Cemetery in Paramus, NJ.
Services will be held on Friday, January 17, from 4 to 8 p.m., and on Saturday, January 18, at 11 a.m. at St. Leon Armenian Church, 12-61 Saddle River Road, Fair Lawn, NJ. Following the burial, the family invites all to join them in the Community Center to share food and fellowship in Sarkis’ memory. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Leon Armenian Church.
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