In honor of the memory and legacy of their late father and grandfather, the Rev. Barkev N. Darakjian (1925-2023), the Darakjian family has allocated, through the Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA), a memorial gift totaling to $20,000 to the Haigazian University Armenological Review (HAR).
Since its foundation in 1970, the HAR has provided an invaluable service of offering annual forums for Armenologists from Armenia and the Diaspora, promoting original and unpublished research and scientific work in linguistics, literature, bibliography, history, culture, arts, medieval studies, Christianity and international relations. This yearly publication by Haigazian University was always a "must-read" for Rev. Darakjian, even at his very last days.
Born in Aleppo, Syria, Rev. Barkev Darakjian enrolled at Haigazian University (then Haigazian College), as a freshman student in the late 1950s. He then in 1965, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the American University of Beirut and a Bachelor of Divinity degree from the Near East School of Theology.
Among his many areas of service to the Union of Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East, Rev. Darakjian served as the editor of the Union's “Chanasser” and “Badanegan Artzakank” periodicals. Later in the USA, he became the editor of the bi-lingual quarterly publication of the AEUNA, the "Forum". It is worth noting that Rev. Darakjian has also authored many articles on the Armenian Evangelical Church history, theology, philosophy, literature, as well as on issues of educational and national interest.
Rev. Darakjian’s intellectual impact and legacy will be cherished by the generations to come.
Mira Yardemian
Public Relations Director
Beirut, 28/8/2023