REVEREND FATHER SHAHE A.K. ALTOUNIAN
(born, Levon Altounian)

Levon was born in Nicosia, Cyprus on Friday, July 21, 1922 to Simpat and Nouritza (Bekiarian) Altounian. He was the first of four children, two brothers, Souren and Antranig, and a sister, Mary.

He was baptized in Sourp Asdvadzadzin Armenian Church in Nicosia.

Levon enrolled in and received his Elementary and High School education in Melikian National School in Nicosia. After graduation he applied to the Seminary of St. James Armenian Patriarchate in Jerusalem, was accepted; and, at the age of 15 left home on August 13, 1937. He completed his four-year Seminary Studies and was ordained a Stole Bearer in 1942 by Patriarch Mesrob Nishanian. During this time, he continued his studies for two more years.
Levon left the Seminary on August 14, 1944 and returned home to Cyprus. Two years later upon the invitation of Bishop Tiran Nersoyan, Primate of the Armenian Church of the Eastern Diocese in the United States he embarked on a Cargo Boat in Alexandria, Egypt on November 21 and travelled to New York arriving on December 7, 1946. He was to be enrolled in the Episcopal Theological School, Brattle Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts to prepare for his ordination as a priest of the Armenian Church.

He began his studies in January of 1947 at the Episcopal School and completed the three-year course in 1950. While living in Cambridge he also attended Harvard University and took courses in American History and Philosophy. In conjunction with his schooling the Primate appointed him Choir leader, Youth Worker, and assistant to Rev, Fr. Haroutune Toomayian, Parish Priest of Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Boston, Mass.

The Primate Bishop Tiran Nersoyan ordained him to the Holy Order of Deacon on January 11, 1948, and Priest of the Armenian Church on Sunday, April 11, 1948. Bishop Hovsep Garabedian was the Sponsor, (Khardavilag). Deacon Levon was given the priestly name Father Shahe. He continued his studies at the Episcopal School and his service to the Church at the same time.

Father Shahe applied and became a citizen of the United States of America in 1948.

Upon graduation in June 1950, he was appointed Parish Priest of Saints Sahag and Mesrob Armenian Church, Providence, Rhode Island. While serving the Church he became the Chairman of the Board of the Choir Association. He participated in Clergy and Choir Association retreats at Cape Cod where he also lectured. A five volume “Choir Digest” book was published containing the lectures given at those retreats. He was a member of the Board and wrote monthly newsletters for the ACYO “The Armenian Guardian.” During his pastorate he continued his education at Brown University and completed a MA degree course in History and Theological Studies. His thesis was “Nerses the Graceful’s Contribution to the Ecumenical Movement.” A “Weekly Envelope System” was established in the church for the collection and recording of the weekly monetary contributions made by the parishioners. Each week two secretaries recorded the donations of 1400 church members.

Father Shahe married Mary Israelian of Los Angeles on Saturday, August 26, 1950 at St. James Armenian Church, Los Angeles, by Abp. Mampre Calfayian. Very Rev. Tirayr Dervishian and Very Rev. Fr. Asoghig Gazarian participating. Fr. Shahe and Yn. Mary have two children, Lucine, born in 1954 and Gregory, born in 1956. Lucine married William Luna on June 19, 1982. They have two children, Michael, born in 1990 and Kathryn, born in 1993. Gregory married Elysa Garabedian on April 30, 1994.

In June 1958, Fr. Shahe tendered his resignation to Primate Abp. Mampre Calfayian of the Eatern Diocese, from the position of Parish Priest of the Providence Church, and the family moved to Los Angeles in August 1958.

In October 1958, Bishop Papken Varjabedian, Primate of the Western Diocese, appointed Fr. Shahe Parish Priest of St. Vartan Armenian Church, Oakland, California. During his pastorate a new Parish Hall was constructed adjacent to the Church. The Church Choir was organized and Gomidas Vartabed’s musical composition of the Divine Liturgy began to be sung. While serving St. Vartan Church Fr. Shahe attended University of California, Berkeley taking courses in Historiography. He also attended San Francisco State University taking courses to fulfill the requirements for a Teaching Credential. On December 31, 1964 Fr. Shahe tendered his resignation from St. Vartan to Primate Bishop Torkom Manoogian.

In June 1965, the family moved to Los Angeles. Fr. Shahe opened and operated an Offset Printing Company from 1965-1968. He printed Armenian Folk Song Music books, Divine Liturgy books, and Diocesan Wall Calendars. On weekends he was called to celebrate the Divine Liturgy and serve at various parishes as a Visiting Priest.

In October 1968, Primate Bishop Elisha Simonian appointed Fr. Shahe as Parish Priest of St. Paul Armenian Church, Fresno, Calif. During his pastorate a new Church Complex, including two parish halls, 20 classrooms, a library and Administration building were built on the corner of First and Dakota Streets, Fresno. The Sanctuary has a seating capacity of over 500 people. The Church was consecrated on Sunday, April 22, 1979 by Primate Abp. Vatche Hovsepian and guest clergy Abp. Tiran Nersoyan. Notwithstanding that the cost of the Complex construction exceeded two and one-half million dollars, the mortgage was paid off within two years; with Mr. Haig Berberian being a most generous benefactor. Upon the completion of the construction project His Holiness Vazken I, Supreme Patriarch Catholicos of All Armenians conferred upon Fr. Shahe the title of Archpriest and gave him permission to wear the Pectoral Cross. During Fr. Shahe’s pastorate the Church pledging membership grew to almost 700 members. He resigned his pastoral position on September 21, 1991 during the Primacy of Abp. Vatche Hovsepian.

Since his resignation in 1991, Fr. Shahe continued to serve the Church as a Visiting Priest. He visited and celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the following parishes during the Primacy of Abp. Vatche: Las Vegas, Nevada; St Kevork Armenian Church in Houston, Texas as well as Seattle, Washington. During the Primacy of Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, he served at: St. Apkar Armenian Church in Phoenix, Arizona 2004-2007; and Sts. Sahag-Mesrob Armenian Church, Reedley, California, 2007 to July 31, 2014, that being the day he entered his eternal rest.

Involvement on Diocesan level 1958-2013;
Member of the Diocesan Council;
Member of the Board of Organizing Committee of the Choir Association;
Chairman Sunday School Curriculum Committee;
Member of Diocesan By-Law revision Committee;
Chairman and Lecturer at Diocesan Summer Camp Committee;
Lecturer Diocesan Ladies’ Retreats;
Lecturer Diocesan Parish Council Retreats;
Board Member of St. Nersess Armenian Theological School, New Rochelle, N.Y.

Source: Yost and Web Funeral Home Obituary