The Eastern Diocese was deeply saddened by the loss of Yeretzgin Arpena Hallajian, beloved wife of the late Fr. Carnig Hallajian of blessed memory, who passed away at her home on October 9. She was 89.
Yn. Arpena was born in Weehawken, NJ, to immigrant parents. Her mother Victoria had fled her native Dikranagert during the Genocide, and met fellow refugee Joseph Tavitian in Cuba, before the married couple settled in New Jersey. They raised their only daughter, named Tuma Arpena, in Holy Cross Church of Union City, where she nurtured her talent for music in the church choir, and where she later served actively for many years, including a period as chair of the Women’s Guild.
Following high school, Arpena took classes in vocal music at the Julliard School. But she found a fulfilling occupation in New York’s music recording industry, assisting producers and executives at Mercury Records and other labels, and working with such luminaries as Sarah Vaughan, Diana Washington, and Quincy Jones. She later worked as a medical assistant and office manager in a physician’s office in New Jersey, while maintaining an active life in the regional Armenian Church community.
In 1999 she married Fr. Carnig Hallajian, a distinguished longtime pastor of the Eastern Diocese, who sometime earlier had been bereaved of his first wife. For the next two decades, Yn. Arpena was a great comfort and helpmate to Der Carnig, up until his death in 2018. Though retired from active pastoral service, Fr. Hallajian continued to serve the church in many capacities (principally as visiting pastor of the historic Holy Cross Church in Uptown New York), and throughout this period Yeretzgin was a source of strength and support in his ministry. The two shared many interests—in the arts, classical music, opera, and theatre—and travelled extensively together, including many trips to Armenia.
Yn. Arpena Hallajian was an elegant woman of culture, taste, and refinement, who embraced life and found joy in everything she did. Her faith in God and dedication to the Armenian Church were profound, and her loving devotion to others laid the foundation for many lifelong friendships. Yn. Arpena is survived by her dear daughter and son from an earlier marriage, Adrienne and Peter Paul Sbarbaro. They are in our prayers, as are Yeretzgin’s many friends and loved ones. May they all receive the Lord’s comfort and consolation at this time.
The funeral arrangements are as follows: Visitations will take place on Wednesday, October 12, 2022, beginning at 10 a.m., at St. Leon Armenian Church (12-61 Saddle River Rd., Fair Lawn, NJ). The funeral will be held at the church immediately afterward, at 11 a.m. A hokejash will follow in Abajian Hall at 12 noon.
Memorial donations may be made to the Fund for Armenian Relief’s Children of Armenia Sponsorship Program, and the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
May our Lord Jesus Christ grant rest to His servant Yeretzgin Arpena Hallajian, and remember her on the great day of His judgment.