Renaissance of van vasburagan

PATRIARCH BOGHOS OF JERUSALEM

(Vanetsi 1768 - 1775)
He was of a large and fine family line, successively serving in a variety of positions.

He was ordained in 1739, emissary to Van, Sepastia, and Tokat 1744-1752. Ordained a bishop in 1752. Again an emissary to Crimea, Rumeli, Nicomedia, and Smyrna 1755-1759. He was elected Patriarch of Jerusalem in 1768. He suffered much trouble during the rebellion of the Egyptians Ali Bey and Mehmed Bey. Digusted with internal and external enemies he resigned, but his resignation was disapproved by the Patriarchate of Constantinople [at that time the Patriarchate of Jerusalem was answerable to the Patriarchate of Constantinople], which directed the members of the brotherhood of monks to cooperate with the Patriarch. In that same year Patriarch Boghos, along with the signatures of five bishops, four vartabeds, and old and new translators, complained bitterly to the French ambassador about the keys to the door of the Joppa monastery and the matter of the Zion cemetery. He died in 1775, and he was buried at the Surp Prgich monastery.
PATRIARCH THEODORUS II OF JERUSALEM

(Vanetsi)
He was an emissary to Garin, Rumeli, and Kghi, in 1750. As locum tenens in the Jerusalem branch of [the Patriarchate of ] Constantinople he was ordained a bishop in 1788. He went to Tiflis as emissary in 1790. He was elected Patriarch of Jerusalem on July 23, 1801.

He sent encyclicals to India and Russia in 1803, disclosing the dire financial condition of the St. James [Jerusalem] monastery because of debts, asking for funds to be freed of the crisis. (The encyclical sent to the Armenians of India was later brought back to Jerusalem by the emissary from India, Supreme Vartabed Nerses Kevorkian).

The memorable contributions of Patriarch Theodorus II are the addition of an iron railing around the dome of the St. James church, with a dedication in verse, the iron grilles at the windows, a pearled and jeweled saghavard [crown], a tall and substantial silver candelabra which is lit twice a year in front of the throne of the Brother-of-the-Lord on the feast of the prophet David and Apostle James, and also on Vardavar [Transfiguration].

A memorial written during the times of Patriarch Theodorus II has the following inscription: In our times (1812), the ship of the Derunian pilgrims sank, the price of sinners.

The following is the epitaph on the headstone of the grave of Patriarch Theodorus II.

Majestic Theodorus, choice and spiritual

From the famous land of Van

Of the quality of the Enlightener, glorious Parthian

Occupied the Throne of Holy Zion

Renowned successor to the brother of the Lord

Tried to keep the Throne of the Savior immaculate

Served only eighteen years

Temple of the birth of the Mother-of-God

Soared off to the fatherland.

August 22, in the year of our Lord 1819
ABEGHA HOVHANNES OF MOK
He was a member of the brotherhood and for 20 years keeper of the keys to the Holy Savior [Church] of Jerusalem. At the request of his uncle, also named Hovhannes, in 1651 he copied “Harants Vark,” in which there is a registry of family names: father’s name Basharat, mother’s name Nakhinaz, brother’s name Der Melkiset, sisters, Chanaz, Kozal, and Pash. He renewed the work Medz Jarendir of Sahag Vartabed of Crimea.

He wrote of himself as being attendant for Holy Savior, sacristan for the stele of Gaparich and the prison of Christ. The record in manuscript number 228 in Jerusalem is the following.
First of all to the Vartabed

Hovhannes from Poland

In humility

Assumed position as sexton.
Bishop Toros, without peer

Prudent and alert in knowledge

The congregation standing in the temple

Awaiting the completion of service
Bishop Aunoprios,

Wise and virtuous

Was sent as emissary

Never ever declined.
The child from Baghesh

Became the holy father of the brotherhood

Modest, humble, and obedient

And provider for all

Did not allow neediness for the monks

Whatever was needed he placed on the table
Der Hovhannes of Van

They called him Der Baghdasar

A hearer of confessions

Sharer of sins
Der Minas, the old man

Servant to the Archangel

Repaved the floors

There was no end to his talk
Der Tavit of Mok

Sent as emissary

Accepted the position humbly

And never ever said no.
Der Hovhannes of Mok

My true nephew

Wrote the book and finished it

There had never been his equal
Der Hovhannes of Khizan

Was meek and humble

A writer and illuminator

In later times
Covered Harants Vark in gold

In variegated colors

Bound it and renewed it

And brought it to his superior
And Stepannos of Mok

Who was very obedient

Completed his words

And what he said came true
I am an apegha from Mok

And put together these words

I have much more work to do

And have no time for rest.
The product of his pen is probably the illuminated Gospel at the St. James monastery, copied in Mok in 1637.
VARTABED KRIKOR, OF KHLAT

(Dzerents)
He was born in 1350, according to his pupil, orator Tovma. He studied under Vartabed Sarkis. He was a member of the brotherhood at the St. Stepannos monastery in the village of Ardzeg.

In 1405 he visited the monastery of St. Hagop as a pilgrim, and stayed there for two years, after which he returned to the homeland. He was the primate of Sakhar, and chief abbot at the Tsibin monastery. He was killed in 1425.

He wrote the following.

Memoirs of the Tragedy: A historical poem or a novel. Printed in Vagharshabad, at the press of the Holy See of Echmiadzin in 1897.

He was a gifted writer, and he compiled religious odes and admonitions, and various parts of the chronicles.

See article in “Ararat,” 1896, p 44, historical novels by Krikor Khlat.

There is a poem in “Azkakragan Hantes,” (1897, Book 2, pp 281-284) written at the end of a 14th century Gospel, “Voghp I Kdzoghes Pan,” attributed to Krikor Khlastian of Khlat. Zarphanelian, in his “Nor Madenakrutiun,” p 232, writes that Krikor of Khlat, in addition

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to odes and other writings, has set forth accounts of the martyrdom of witnesses of the times. Some others attribute writings on architectural studies to him, as well as a condensation of writings of Aristotle, which have not reached us.

Arakel of Paghesh, who also was a pupil of Khlat, had written in a manuscript chronicle “The life and works of our holy father, and blessed Krikor Vartabed of Khlat, which is an unpublished praise.

The writings mentioned above have appeared in the mouthpiece of the Vasburagan Union, the “Ardzvi Vasburagan” paper, edited by Mr. Yervant Der Mgrdichian, or Boston.
KRIKOR -- HOVHANNES -- VARTABED

And His Gospel
It is a Gospel, three by four and a half inches, bound in silver covers.(¹⁷) The front cover pictures the Cucifixion, and the back cover the Resurrection. It starts inside with more than twenty pictures of saints, the Baptism, hell, and royal figures. The haloes of the saints are in gold. On empty pages between the pictures are writings as follows.

“ Approach, come, let us catch the fox.” In another place, “I tried this writing once again.” “For your sake I wrote Diratsu Hovhannes. I am altogether unfit for writing, I beg of you, and so on.” “Accompanied with a heavy voice.” (A picture of the Holy Virgin wearing a crown)

The margins of a few of the later pictures are illuminated with golden birds. Six pages are decorated on tops and in the margins with flowers. Concordance of the Gospel are indicated with references as [grouped Armenian capital letters that serve as number references.].

One page opens with the following words. “Once again call on Christ. Bishop Aristakes brought this from the village called Kruzh Kom, to the door of St.Garabed (where Vartabed Markar of Mush studied), after much effort and struggle rescued the Holy Gospel. It had been appropriated and sold in the village of Krtakom, and brought to the door of the monastery at Klag that is called after the holy fathers St. Garabed and Athanasius, the protomartyr Stephen, and Gregory the Enlightener. And whoever takes it away from its holy resting place to sell it or trade it will be subjected to the curse of Cain, and severely punished...”

There follows the four Gospels, of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, each page written in two columns in clear script. Initial letters of paragraphs are ornamental, and here and there in the margins are golden designs of flowers and plants, or of birds, which are very beautiful. The scribe has pictured the four gospel writers as the four geographical directions, east, west, north, and south, or the four rivers that flowed from the Garden of Eden, Pison for Matthew, Gihon for Mark, Tigris for Luke, and Euphrates for John.
COLOPHONS OF THE GOSPEL



“Unworthily do I decorate the garden of this holy Gospel in the memory of the good soulsof the holy church, and of parents, father Atabeg and mother Shahchan, and brother Krikor and sister Amirbeg, grandfather Melkiset, and other blood relatives.

“Thus, I, the unworthy baptizer of this church, received this Gospel for the healing of my soul and body.

“I would also remember devout Archbishop Sahag, who decorated this Holy Gospel, and his parents, who were helpful in decorating it.

“I started this Gospel and completed it in the year of the Armenians, 1475 [should be year of our Lord], by the hand of the blessed Krikor (Arjesh Kachperuni), during the pontificacy of Der Sarkis, in the canton of Duruperan, or Pergr, of the St. Ukhd called the son of Der Husi, with the support of St. Asdzadzadzin, St. Harutiun, St. Garabed, St. Nshan, and Skanchelakordz Gamrov, and the son of vartabed Der Husgan of Tamparan, and under the guidance of Archbishop Der Hovhannes and the receiver of the Holy Gospel vartabed Mgrdich -- Hasan Bey of Tabriz was king in this year. He had come from Mesopotamia, ruling over the eastern world.

“I would recall Rabbi Mgrdich, who was my teacher.”

The binder of the book was theologian Hovhannes of Baghesh, and illustrator Der Baghdasar, in the year of the Armenians 1112.
THE LAST CATHOLICOI OF AGHTAMAR
Very few of the catholicoi of Aghtamar island, or the monastery, left valuable literary works, or were recognized to be endowed with a high level of culture. In general, they were known to be builders, especially of schools.

* * *

One of the later ones, Catholicos Bedros, called the Biulbiul [nightingale], noting the position usurped by Bishop Khachadur in the brotherhood, became wrathful and withdrew to his village in Pshavan, for weeks being absent from his duties. Biulbiul was killed in his paternal home by the kurd Giulkhan Bey. It was suspected that that action was at Bishop Khachadur’s request.
CATHOLICOS KHACHADUR SHIROIAN
He was born in the village of Poghanis, in the Rushduni canton of Van. He went early to Echmiadzin and became a servant to a rich bishop. On receiving a substantial sum at the bishop’s death he went to Aghtamar where he was ordained a vartabed, and later a bishop. Finally, after putting Catholicos Biulbiul in a bad position he won the support of the brotherhood and was elected catholicos in 1863, or 64, according to Pastor E. Rushduni, on the feast of the Cross of Varak. While he was being ordained catholicos, his predecessor was being killed in Pshavan???

Khachadur, being under accusation, was called to the Patriarchate in Constantinople, where he lingered for a few years, after which, during the time of Khrimian’s successor, Nerses Varjabedian, his administrative skill and his modesty were recognized and he was sent to Aghtamar, taking with him the honorary degree of Mejide, first degree, issued by Sultan Hamid.

Thanks to him, the region’s barbarous kurds, such as Sheykh Jelaleddin, behaved in a mild manner with the unfortunate people of the parishes. Catholicos Khachadur began to rebuild, restoring buildings, the glorious rectory of the island, schools, and museum where he gathered select manuscripts, some of parchment and with gold encrusted Mesropian letters, found dust-covered in the monasteries and the villages. He gathered small and large stele with cuneiform inscriptions, vessels, etc. If he had had competent advisors, he would have had more productive period of service.
PRIMATES OF VAN

AND THE PRIESTS [p 91]
We know of about 15 priests who assumed the difficult position of primate of Van, some for a short time, and some for years. Who the first primate was we do not know, but we assume it was (1) Bishop Kapriel Shiroian.

(2) Vartabed Boghos Melikian (later bishop), of the brotherhood of the monastery at Lin

became locum tenens in 1858, then primate. Before Boghos Vartabed, Bishop Igantius Kokmajian was primate. Bishop Boghos served until 1884.

(3) Bishop Markarian became primate, but we do not have the dates.

(4) Bishop Yeremia Der Sarkisian (Devgants), of the brotherhood of Varak, in 1878.

(5) Khrimian Hairig, 1879.

(6) Bishop Karekin Srvantzdiants, 1880-2.

(7) Bishop Krikoris Aghvanian, 1871, of the brotherhood of Varak.

(8) Bishop Sahag Pakrevantian, of the brotherhood of Lim monastery, twice.

(9) Bishop Nerses Arslanian, 1899, a competent and constructive clergyman.

(10) Bishop Krikoris Alatjian, 1886, (called “Trchnig --[little bird], elected Catholicos of Cilicia; died in Constantinople) Locum tenens Vartabed Hovhannes Majaguni, Caesarea, 1888.

(11) Bishop Nerses Khabaian.

(12) Supreme Vartabed Zaven Der Yeghiaian, 1888- 91, later Patriarch of Constantinople.

(13) Bishop Hovsep Aivazian.

(14) Vartabed Arsen Markarian, also locum tenens catholicate of Aghtamar

(15) Vartabed Stepan Aghazadian, of the Aliur village of Van, a constructive clergyman.

(16) Bishop Hovsep Sarajian, 1910-13, was also primate of America and Tabriz.

For a time Tateos vartabed and Mesrop Kahana Janigian , and others, served as locum tenens.
Vartabed Arsen Markarian, having resigned as primate of Van, withdrew to Aghtamar where he was locum tenens catholicos. He did much to refurbish and renovate the catholicate, and he visited the villages and the cantons where he opened schools. He made his pastoral visits, partly in the formal role as catholicos, to impress the Kurds, and to take back most of the things they had been stealing. He succeeded, mainly in getting back precious manuscripts and enriching the library of the monastery. The manuscripts had been cataloged by Khachadur Levonian and Hovhannes Paraghamian.

Vartabed Arsen’s end took place in 1904. Tashnag Ishkhan and his band invaded Aghtamar and butchered Arsen vartabed and his secretary Mihran Kevorkian, driving them to the sea, having stolen the vartabed’s ring and purloining his wealth. It was being said that Arsen vartabed was responsible for a battle between the Ishkhan band and the Kurds.
BISHOP NERSES ASLANIAN
Aslanian quickly organized religious and civil meetings, and supervisory committees. He more esteemed intellectuals than the aghas who could not tolerate him and would throw obstacles in his path. Offended, the bishop withdrew to Varak, and somewhat unwillingly returned at the urging of a number of teachers. During the time of famine he organized groups and arranged to bring in aid. He suffered from diabetes. In 1900, on learning of the death of his brother, he went to Constantinople. He accepted the position of primate of Pontus, where he later died.

He came to Van from Constantinople in 1899, as locum tenens primate of the diocese. He had served as alternate patriarch in Constantinople, and had been primate in Smyrna. Having been ordained by Khrimian he was sent to Van. Though he did not serve long, one and a half years according to Yeremian, “He was extremely high-strung and capricious, but because of the value of his position he enjoyed the esteem of his community as well as of foreigners.” Because of the criticism of some people in Van he became irritable and fault-finding, but he gradually showed that he was a highly moral, fair, and honest pastor, severe and unpardoning only to the dishonest and unworthy.
VARTABED SAHAG PAKREVANTIAN
He was summoned to Constantinople by the Patriarchate, and imprisoned. But he was pardoned by the Sultan, and on going to Van he was named Chief Abbot of the Lim monastery. He supported Aslanian, and after whose departure he was named as locum tenens primate. He was rewarded for his many years of service in Van and Arjesh by being ordained a bishop by Khrimian, and he conducted the affairs in Van until his death in 1904. He was named by the patriarchate to be chairman of an investigative committee concerning the complaint against Vartabed Arsen Markarian. For details on the travel and the investigation, and on Pakrevantian’s character, see the very interesting account in the lamentable Avedis Terzibashian’s book “Antranig.”
VARTABED BOGHOS MELIKIAN
This simple-minded but constructive and courageous person had given much cause to be talked about by the Armenians of Van. He had been adventuresome throughout his life.

He was taken by force during the 1836 raid on the village of Noravants and sent to Constantinople where he worked in a factory of Iplik Khane. On returning to Lim, Boghos vartabed became chief abbot of the monastery, after which he became locum tenens and then primate on Bishop Markar’s leaving. He became head of the Boghosian princely party. He took care of building churches and schools despite his being simple-minded. But he kept the people in a state of unrest. His life story is a confusing one. The renovation and enlarging of the cathedral church of Arark was mostly through his efforts, with the support of the parish council and the people.
ARCHBISHOP HOVSEP SARAJIAN

(Van’s Last Primate)
With the departure of supreme vartabed Zaven, Mesrop kahana Janigian managed the affairs of the diocese temporarily until July 1910, when Bishop Hovsep arrived in Van from Constantinople, to assume the office of primate. It was the same position he had held in America and in Tabriz. Because of his experience and his venerable appearance he was well liked by the people.

It was during his days that Garabed Melkonian (later Dajad Vartabed and a member of the brotherhood of Echmiadzin, a seminarian who was married to the well educated Miss Isguhi Chitchian of Van) having been called to be superintendent of the parish school, was elected chairman of the civic council. Sarajian Srpazan and Melkonian together managed the affairs of the national diocese harmoniously. Sarajian displayed tireless energy during the three years in his position. He restored the building, called “Hayots Zoranots “ [Armenian Armory], from the ground up, with stores and rooms, putting in 2-300 golds of his own resources to finish the work, providing an income for the diocesan headquarters. Alas, after being subjected to surgery in November 1913 he lost his life, the last of the primates of Van.
ARCHBISHOP KAPRIEL SHIROIAN
He was one of the venerable figures among the clergymen of Vasburagan during the 19th century. He served in a variety of positions, such as Primate of Van and as locum tenens for the Catholicate of Aghtamar. It was from him that Khrimian was ordained a vartabed, in Aghtamar.

Archbishop Shiroian had had a desire to become Catholicos, and he had asked for the opinion of Catholicos Nerses Ashdaragetsi of Echmiadzin. He was advised that it would be better to remain as Primate of Van. And he did remain until his death in 1857. He was buried with much ceremony in the courtyard of the Haygavank church. As an expression of its gratitude the Armenian people erected a beautifully decorated dome-like memorial structure at his grave. But the cursed Turk, during the 1915 events, tore down the memorial and desecrated the grave.
HOVHANNES OF ARJESH
Hovhannes of Arjesh was also called “Vosbnager.” He wrote “An Exposition of the Divine Liturgy.” While he wrote, his daily intake of food was one lentil [vosb], for which reason he was called Vosbnager [vosb-eater].
GORIUN VARTABED -- BISHOP
He was born in Van in 1867, and ordained vartabed in 1896 by Khrimian Hairig, during the period of whose position as catholicos he served for a long time as secretary for diplomacy.

During the time of the Armenian-Tatar conflict in 1905, he served as locum tenens of the Kantzag diocese. The Russian government accused him of being anti-government and a revolutionary, and in 1907 he was exiled to Siberia where the unfortunate vartabed remained imprisoned in chains, until February 1917 when the tsarist government was overthrown. That provided him with the opportunity to return to Echmiadzin where he served in various positions. He was ordained bishop in 1920, and died at Echmiadzin in 1922.

LIST OF PARISH PRIESTS IN VAN

St. Hagop Church [p 96]
1. Priest Mesrop Papazian, later shushdag vartabed [meaning becoming a celibate priest -- vartabed -- after the wife dies], a teacher at the St. Luke school. We have already given his biography.

2. Archpriest Der Garabed, “hrashakordz” [miracle worker]. Hopelessly sick were taken to him for Gospel readings for cure. Many were cured, especially those with strong faith. The people thought highly of him.

3. Der Hovhannes, Pari Kahana [good priest], “the Israelite who was without deceit.” One of his sons, Manug, was sacristan, and superintendent of the school. The other, Mgrdich, was a sacrificial and patriotic person, married and parent of fine children, one of whom, Mgrdich, now lives in Grand Rapids, America.

4. Priest Der Krikor Iskenderian, had a fine voice, and was the father of many children who became well educated and who attained mastery in various skills.

5. Priest Husig Pehrezian, first a teacher at the St. Luke school, and later a priest.

6. Another priest Der Krikor, and so forth.
Other Churches
1. Priest Der Vartan (we know of no others before him)

2. Priest Der Avedis Shaghoian, whose biography we have given separately

3. Priest Der Kevork Shakarian, whose biography also we have given separately

4. Priest Der Kalusd Akhigian, a fine person who gave the nation five honorable children, Arisdakes, Vrtanes, Dajad, Khoren, and Ardag who became teachers, artisans, and revolutionary figures. The first of the Akhigian brothers, Arisdakes, blended revolutionary activity in with his teaching. He worked unceasingly after the massacres of ‘96, joined the Avedisian group, and died along with his companions. I have given the history of artist Vrtanes separately in my brief volume. Dajad was a teacher in the school of one of the other churches, while Ardag and Khoren have served in various positions. My friend, Priest Der Khoren Mamigonian, a member of this blessed family, presently lives in America.
THE CHURCH OF NORASHEN
1. Priest Gomidas, a fiery orator, teacher and preacher.

2. Priest Der Nerses Der Parseghian, whose biography we have given separately.

3. Priest Der Khoren, a quite highly educated clergyman

4. Priest Der Ghevont Safrasdian, father of the known writer Arshag Safrasdian
THE CHURCH OF ARARK
1. Archpriest Der Dionysius Ardametsian, a very productive priest. See his biography.

2. Priest Der Mesrop Janigian, teacher and active clergyman. See his biography.

3. Priest Der Mardiros Der Mgrdichian, teacher
CHURCHES WITHIN THE CITY
We are not cognizant of the priests serving in the six or seven churches within the city. We would name only the churches themselves, which are Boghos-Bedros, St. Nshan (Echmiadzin), St. Sahag, St. Stepannos, St. Dziranavor, St. Vartan, and Hovhannes. In the past there had been more.