WATERTOWN, MA -- It is often said that greatness lies in humbleness.

For 40 years, Rev. Archpriest Arshag Daghlian served his flock like a good and humble servant, mindful of his allegiance to God and the church.

More than 200 turned out March 29 at St. Stephen’s Church in Watertown, Massachusetts to honor the revered clergyman. As ceremonious as it was, Der Arshag would have preferred something a bit more sedate—like another Badarak in another church.

“Whatever I have given to this vocation, it has rewarded me a hundredfold,” he told his audience. “I never regretted a moment of it.”

At a time in his life when retirement was certainly an option, off he went from his home in North Andover to various parishes throughout the country in need of a priest.

If it wasn’t Hartford one week, it was Cleveland the next. Over the last 19 years, he wound up visiting just as many churches as far south as Florida and as far west as Illinois and Wisconsin.

Paying no heed to age, he would embark from Logan Airport every Saturday toward a new destination and return the next day after performing his duty. If there were a Sunday banquet, he’d postpone his flight to Monday.

Over that time, he maintained an impeccable record toward consistency. Blizzards. Hurricane warnings. Delays of every magnitude. Excruciating inspection lines and lingering layovers. A bout with pneumonia interfered only once.

“Someone had to do it and I would get the call,” he said. “I did not want to see any congregation go without Badarak.”

The 86-year-old can now sit back and reflect upon the memories. But not exactly. You’ll still find him Sundays at St. Stephen’s Church performing Confessional Service and doing what comes naturally while his son John Hovhaness serves as a deacon and chairs the Board of Trustees.

“He’s been my dad, my mentor, my best friend and my inspiration in life,” said John, who served as toastmaster. “Dad is my hero. He had a devoted woman by his side every step of the way.”

Yeretzgeen Lucy remained the shining star in his constellation. Often, she would accompany him on his junkets, especially in New England when auto travel was more compatible than a flight.

“Wherever he has gone, he has brought the vision of Christ with him,” lauded His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, who presented Der Arshag with a special citation from His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia. “Der Arshag has been genuine in every regard, sincere in his mission. The caring side was always evident with all the elements of goodness and mercy. I also respect the deep-rooted family structure.”

A video depicted various stages of Der Arshag’s life, from his childhood years through his wedding, the birth of five children and seven grandchildren, his ordination in Whitinsville and pastorship at St. Paul’s Church in Waukegan, Ill., and a new parish at St. Gregory Church in North Andover, MA, where he spent 15 years before his role as an outreach clergy.

At St. Gregory’s, he worked with trustees and various organizations to pay off the mortgage, helped to renovate the church hall, expanded the Sunday School, taught Armenian language to adults, and participated in Ecumenical services with sister churches throughout Merrimack Valley.

Particular focus was paid to the elderly and infirmed, not to exclude schoolchildren and those in between.

“His grasp on world affairs is truly remarkable, whether it’s politics, sports, religion or gardening,” said his daughter Houry. “Put a tool in his hands and he’ll fix an engine. He’s played soccer and the accordion, even rode on a motorcycle and worked as a librarian --- a genuine Renaissance Man. But above all, his family, his God and his heritage always took precedence.”

His son-in-law, attorney Richard Sarajian, recalled his wedding date with Nora and how difficult it was to plan the nuptials.

“We had to find a week when he wasn’t flying anywhere,” he smiled. “The years of sacrifice and dedication always manifested themselves, from the time he left Antelias as a married man with children for Waukegan. He had his own road show and his destination led to God.”

Other children in attendance were Nora and Sonia. A daughter, Aida, died in 2000. All five siblings graduated from Merrimack College in North Andover, not far from the Daghlian home, where Der Arshag also took theological classes.