HANDS OF MAN, WORK OF GOD Lord, you have been our refuge in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting, you are God.You return man to the dust, and say, “Turn back, O children of men!” For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night…The years of our life are three-score and ten, or by reason of strength four-score; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away…So teach us to number our days, that we may get a heart of wisdom… Satisfy us in the morning with thy steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days…Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us. Yes, establish, O Lord, the work of our hands. (Psalm 90:1-17)
We are told that these words, from the book of Psalms, were remembered as a prayer written by Moses: a man of long and reverend years, who had seen much in his lifetime – enough, indeed, for several lifetimes. A man who played many roles in his life; who accomplished great works – perhaps the greatest of human works – yet who never forgot that even for the greatest of mortals, there is One who is greater still. In the scheme of things, Man occupies but a moment of time; but God is everlasting.
That is the God to whom Moses prayed: the Creator of the mountains, and the world itself. But most of all, the shepherd of men, who guides them along the path to wisdom, dignifies them with His love, and grants them the precious gifts of joy and happiness.
“Let God’s blessing by upon us,” Moses prayed, “and establish the work of our hands”: Let
our hands do
your work, Lord.
That same sentiment—whether spoken aloud or nurtured silently in the heart—has been the prayer of all truly pious people done through the ages. “Let
my hands do
your work, Lord.” To be able to offer such a prayer, honestly, from the depths of one’s heart, is the truest sign of wisdom in a person. Not surprisingly, it is also the key to a certain kind of inner peace, which itself is one of the foundations of genuine happiness. As the Psalm says, no matter how old a man may become, mortal life is all too fleeting, and wisdom, happiness, and the knowledge that you have done God’s work, are the blessings that allow us to depart life, at any age, contented and at peace.
I remember now the words of this prayer of Moses recorded in the Bible when I am standing in front of the memory of remarkable human being , a great Armenian American, dedicated son of the Armenian Church, committed patriot of the Republic of Armenia, and my dear friend Aso (Asadour) Tavitian. He, too, was a man of great ambitions and astonishing accomplishments; in every way a man of great daring and enterprise. But at the same time, Aso Tavitian was a man who never ceased turning his hands to God’s work. His profound trust in God inspired him to even greater things, and left a lasting mark on his family, his friends and colleagues, the Armenian Church and the young Republic of Armenia, and this great country of America.
Aso Tavitian’s life story is remarkable and indeed very educational for the younger generation. I met Aso about 18 years ago. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, who was the Dean of St. Vartan Cathedral told me about this special Armenian, Aso Tavitian. I invited him to a luncheon at the Diocesan Center. During our luncheon meeting I had the great privilege knowing this exceptional man, this great Armenian. During our very warm and interesting conversation I realized how wise, intelligent and humble person he was. We spoke about Armenia, Armenian Church, younger generation of the Armenians. We spoke about faith, politics, arts and music. I realized that Aso’s knowledge and interest was so wide and international. He was traditional but very open and interested also in modern and contemporary thinking. He had a very healthy, objective way of analyzing issues. Aso told me also about his parents, how as a young boy of 19 years old, left Bulgaria and traveled to Beirut to continue his education. He spoke about his studies in Beirut then at Colombia University in New York. It was very interesting to hear Aso telling how he was able to overcome all the challenges he overcame and build a very successful business. How he became a co-founder of SyncSort Inc., one of the first software development companies that emerged after IBM. Aso was very emotional and he told me about his English language teacher in Beirut Antoan Kehayian, referred to by everyone as “Sir”. He recalled how “Sir” paid all his expenses without saying any word to Aso. Just before departing Beirut Aso discovered by accident about this secret. At that time he made a promise that if one day he has the possibility he will help the needy students to continue their education.
This first meeting with Aso at the Diocese open the way for many meetings during which we have become closer to each other developing a very open, sincere and close friendship. On some different projects, we had the opportunity to travel together to Armenia, Jerusalem, Moscow, Rome, Saint Lazaro in Venice. His interests were manifold. He enjoyed music and specially opera. On many occasions he invited me to join him and his wonderful wife Isabella and some other friends to see some exceptional performances at the metropolitan Opera. He was a great collector of incredible pieces of paintings and other pieces of art. His town house in New York and also in Stockbridge, MA are like museums of magnificent pieces of art.
Aso’s analytic and very balanced views on political issues were amazing. He knew very well history, but was not a prisoner of the past instead, in a very intelligent way, open for possibilities to make the world a better place for everyone.
He didn’t forget his promise made in Beirut before his departure to New York. In 1995 he established and funded the Tavitian Foundation through which he began providing educational opportunities to many young souls. One of his main intends was to strengthen the governance of the new, independent Republic of Armenia. For he created and supported a six months special training program for intelligent young leaders from various ministries and governmental institutions of Armenia at Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tuft’s University. About 350 young leaders from (men and women) participated in this program and I had the possibility meeting most of these intelligent, dynamic and committed young leaders at Aso’ house in New York and Stockbridge. Aso was an extraordinary leader and he was committed to supporting the future leadership in Armenia.
In Aso Tavitian’s person a saw a great example how an Armenian today needs to be. He was patriotic but also religious. In his mind Nation and Church are united. He understood very well the role of the Armenian Church in the past, today and in the future. He was always ready to help and support Armenia and the Armenian Church. His very close and warm relationship with His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians has been great demonstration that besides the personal feelings towards Vehapar he was also a strong supporter of the Armenian Church hand its center ,he Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
I saw my beloved good friend Aso during last November, at his town house in New York when I was accompanying His Holiness Karekin Catholicos for a meeting there with some other Armenian leaders. The discussion was “the Armenian Church in the 21th century”. This very timely and important project was led by Aso responding to Vehapar’s request. He. was leading this project very passionately, because he was aligned with Vehapar to see a much better organized Armenian Church in this 21th century, making sure that Armenian Church is significant in the lives of all Armenians everywhere.
We used to speak with each other on the phone regularly. About six months ago he called me giving the sad news that the doctors diagnosed him with cancer. He sounded optimistic and positive.
Three days before his passing when I was speaking with Aso I reminded him the Easter celebration at St. Vartan Cathedral in 2011, when he became the godfather of the release of 12 doves on the plaza of the Cathedral following the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. The release of the doves on Easter Sunday has been the great symbol of Christ’s Resurrection and through which the gift of eternal life given to us by God. Aso with a joyful voice responded to my reminder saying “Srpazan, we will do it again”. I am sure Aso’s deep conviction of the life’s eternity and that spiritual connection and the loving, caring and sincere relationship remains always eternal.
Now Aso’s journey in this life has reached its natural conclusion. However, Aso’s hands which accomplished of God’s work on this earth, are not gone. All the good deeds and works and extraordinary accomplishments will remain always and the life and the work of such a unique person will be model and inspiration to the younger generation. I firmly believe the example of Aso’s can bring a prosperous, strong Armenia and diaspora.
I feel blessed that I met Aso, we have become good friends. The presence of God in our life has become more clear during my meetings with people friends like Aso.
May Aso O. Tavitian, my good friend rest in peace.
Khajag Archbishop BarsamianPontifical Legate of the Armenian Church in Western Europe
Representative of the Armenian Church to the Holy See
