Chapter 18

 

DISTINGUISHED PERSONALITIES OF PERKENIK

(Armenian Manuscript Pages 109-212)

 

(This is a Partial Translation  [JT)]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Translator's NOTE]

 

Because of the length of this chapter I've included an outline.  There are a large number of Christian names in this chapter.  So in the interest of time and to make life simpler I haven't attempted to Anglicize any yet but merely transliterated these names   [J.T.]

 

 

 

 

Chapter	Outline of Chapter 18   FAMOUS PERSONALITIES OF PERKENIK	Page[1].
18	Famous Personalities of Perkinik.........................................................................	109
	A.  The Clergy...................................................................................................	109
	1. Bishop Hajian's List..............................................................................	109
	2. Mr. Balabanian's List............................................................................	110
	3. Prominent Clerics..................................................................................	111
	a. Patriarch,House of Cilicia, Gregory Peter VIII DerAsdvadzadurian.	111
	b. Patriarch-Catholicos Stephen Peter X Azarian ................................	113
	c. Archbishop John Hajian......................................................................	115
	d. Bishop Ghevont Khorkhoruni.............................................................	116
	e. Archbishop Sahag Hajian....................................................................	118
	B. Ancient Families.........................................................................................	120
	C. Literary Personages.....................................................................................	120
	1. Daniel Varoujan................................................................................	121
	(a.) Biographical Sketches:....................................................................	121
	Birth , Upbringing, in Perkenik (121);                             His Early Training and Education in Perkenik (126);                             Constantinople (127); Continued Education and Travels in .                           Europe; Ghent , Belgium (135); His Return to                             Perkenik-Sebastia (147); The Young Adult - Sketch of His                             Character (148); The Partisan (150); Marriage and Family (150);                             Constantinople (163); His Last Days and Arrest  (171);                             His Last Night (173); His Death [August 12/13, 1915] (177);                            Contemporary Accounts of His Brutal Death and Martyrdom:                                (1) H.J. Siruni (177);                                (2)A man code-named "Narinj" (177);                                (3)Aram Andonian (178);                                (4)Very Rev. Grigoris Balakian (179);                                (5)Engraving 1919: Michael Shamdamjian (182);                                (6)Levon Esajanian (183);                                (7)Hagop Sarkissian (184)                                (8)Pharmacist G. Hajian (186);                                (9)French family (188),                            [A Moving Four-Verse Lamentation by Mrs. Araxie Varoujan]
	(Continued)
	Outline of Chapter 18 (Continued)      C. Literary Personages (Continued)           1. Daniel Varoujan (Continued)                  (b) The Writings of Varoujan.....:..........................................................                         His Poetry and Verse.....................................................................                                Initial Efforts and Early Writings(189)                                Mature Works  -- Volume 1 (191), Vol.2:Massacre(194),                                     Vol.3:The Heart of the Race(194);  Vol.4: Suffering(195);                                     Vol.5:Pagan Songs(195); Vol.6:The Concubine(194);                                     Vol.7: The Song of BreaD(195); Unpublished Works(196)                                      [In 1946 The Armenian Govt.Press: "Works of Varoujan"                                        420 pages;  his poems are published in 1955 by                                        SoghomanDarontsi called "Poems" (427 pages)]	189 189
	His Prose........................................................................................                             First Category Writings                                 1.Samples(198)                                 2.On his writings from prison(198)                                 3.An Episode(Venice to Athens)(198)                                 4.Brains(198)                                 5.Birth(198)                                 6.To You, Oh Sun(200)                             Second Category Writings:                                 1.A Dedication (Made in 1901 while he was yet Daniel                                    Chebookkerian) (200)                                 2.Final Words (200)                                 3.Funeral Oration (201)                             Third Category Writings:                                 1.Literary Schools - [A lecture] (202)                                 2.Advice for Beginners (201)	197
	(c) The Last Writings of Varoujan........................................................	202
	(d) Opinions on D. Varoujan's Writings...............................................	203
	(e) D. Varoujan's "Archives".................................................................	207
	(f) Comment on Certain Collected Writings..........................................	208
	(g) Varoujan's Works Translated in French...........................................	208
	(h) "Daniel Varoujan" School in Erevan................................................	209
	2. Gregory Chebukkerian (Daniel Varoujian's  Father)...........................	209
	3. Stephen Balabanian (Hooshigk Hayrenyats).......................................	210
	4. Joseph Reiissian  ("The Rug").............................................................	211
	(End of Chapter 18 Outline)

 

(Chapter 18 Text  Begins Here [JT])

 

Perkenik has been the birthplace of an impressive multitude of distinguished clergymen, and of one very famous layman. We consider it worthwhile to provide biographies of at least a few of these. Besides having data on the prominent and famous personalities, we have lists of names of the clerics and of old famous families. It can be interesting to recall a few here. We divide the material as follows:

         A.     Distinguished Members of the Clergy.

         B.    Old Families

         C.    Literary Personages.

 

A. Clergy

 

Sahag Vartabed Hajian has handed down a complete list of clergymen born in  Perkenik from an early period up to 1886.  In this list only Der Michael the Martyr is not a Perkeniktsi by birth but originated from the region of Nor Jugha and Nakhichevan. He lived in Kharpert[2], possibly coming there via Lemberg (Poland) [3]  Mr. Stephen Balabanian provides us with a second list of clergy, probably those born in Perkenik  after the year 1886 or those serving there  We present first Hajian's list, followed by that of Balabanian. Finally we present selected biographies of outstanding members of the hierarchy in these lists.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Bishop Hajian's List [4]

 

    1. Der[5] Hovhannes Margosian, died 1697.

    2. Der Michael, martyred in 1707.

    3. Der Kaspar, jail mate of Martyr Der Michael, died in 1742-44.

    4. Der Hagop Areviants, died in 1766.

    5. Der Kaspar Borchanian, died in 1766.

    6. Der Asdvadzadur, forefather of Der Asdvadzadooriants.

    7. Der Michael, grandson of the Martyr, died in 1782.

    8. Der Ghougas, grandson of the martyr, died in 1802.

    9. Der Hovhannes Demirjian.

  10. Der Asdvadzadur Der Asdvadzadurian

  11. Der Krikor Krtian.

  12. Der Arakel Ananian.

  13. Der Hagop Gharibian.

  14. Fr. Hovhannes Bedigian, Monk in Armenian Order of St. Anthony.

  15. Der Hovsep Markarian.

  16. Der Boghos Krtian.

  17. Der Bedros Danielian.

  18. Der Parsegh Reissian, served in Vatican's Propaganda.

  19. Fr. Pilibbos, Antonian monk.

  20. Gregory Peter VIII Asdvadzadurian, Catholicos-Patriarch

         of the House of Cilicia.

  21. Gregory Vartabed Bedigian.

  22. Fr. Thomas Maksetian (born 1776), Mechitharist of Venice.

  23. Hovsep Vartabed Borchanian.

  24. Hovhannes Vartabed Hajian, Archbishop of Caesarea.

  25. Michael Vartabed Shegian.

  26. Der Hovagim Der Boghossian.

  27. Der Krikor Der Asdvadzadurian.

  28. Der Asdvadzadur Der Asdvadzadurian.

  29. Ghevont Vartabed Khorkhoruni, Bishop of Malatia.

  30. Der David Krtian.

  31. Der Bedros Balabanian.

  32. Sahag Vartabed Hajian, Archbishop of Sebastia.

  33. Der Dimoteos (Timothy) Baghdigian.

  34. Der Serope Kazanjian.

  35. Der Bedros Ayjian[6]

 

2. Mr. S. Balabanian's List

 

As we have just seen, Hajian Vartabed presents a list of Perkenik's clergy  from early times up until his own day, 1886. We haven't any list showing the clergy who were born in or served in Perkenik in the 1886 to 1915 period.  Mr. Balabanian partly closes this gap in some letters which he had sent me containing a short list. Of course we shouldn't expect  here a precise or formal chronology since he is writing from memory; nevertheless the information is useful.

 

         1.  Mardiros Vartabed Mgrian, from Aleppo, remained in our village

                  for 30 years.

         2.  Very Rev. Der Bedros Balabanian ( my paternal uncle),

                  Arajnort from 1890-1900.

         3.  Sahag Vartabed Madoyan, Perkeniktsi, Arajnort 1900-1908.

         4.  Very Rev. Michael Der Asdvadzadurian, Perkeniktsi, 1900-1908.

         5.  Very Rev. Bedros Ayjian, 1902-1904, Armenian teacher.

         6.  Hagop Eminents (Eminian).

         7.  Serope Vartabed Kazanjian, Evdokatsi.

         8.  Very Rev. Poladian.

         9.  Nerses Vartabed Baghdigian, Perkeniktsi.

         10.  Krikor Vartabed Pehlivanian, Sebastatsi, 1905-1915,

                   teacher of religion.

         11,12.  Shahnamian Vartabeds[7].

         13.  Very Rev. Ashikian

 

 

 

TRANSLATOR'S NOTE

ON

NUNS OF PERKENIK ORIGIN

 

In Chapter 11 the author sings the praises of the Sisters in their wonderful diligent work of teaching.  There was, and still is, an Armenian Catholic Religious Community for Women called the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception and they lived and taught both in the village itself and in Constantinople.

 

Cousin Joe Degirmenjian tells me that there had been a large number of Perkeniktsee Nuns of the Immaculate Conception  He says there were far more nuns than priests of Perkenik origin.  He rattled off three names of such teaching nuns he knew quite well in Turkey.  I'll try to have him supply more from his personal knowledge.  [JT]

(END OF TRANSLATOR'S NOTE)

 

 

3. Outstanding Members of the Hierarchy

 

[Here follow biographies of Perkenik's patriarchs, archbishops, and bishops listed in the outline above, a. through e.  I'll do these later. J.T.]

 

B. OLD FAMILIES

(To Be Translated. [JT])

 

C.  LITERARY PERSONAGES

 

1. DANIEL VAROUJAN

 

a. Biographical Sketches[8]

 

Birth and Youth

Daniel Varoujan was born in 1884. (It was impossible to determine the exact month and day.)  His parents are Gregory and Takouhi (Maiden Name: Baghdigian) Chebookkerian[9]. In his earliest literary works he signed his name "Daniel Chebukkerian."[10]  But Varoujan is his pen name. He used it for the  first time in July 1904 in a letter he wrote to Smpad Davitian. He was therefor born with name Daniel Chebookkerian.

 

Gregory and Takouhi had four children more after 189[11]: Daniel, Vahan, Peter, and Arshag. Vahan (b. 1900 in C.Bolis) married Isgoohi (Paris) and had a son Varoujan (b. 1948).  Vahan is living with his family in Paris.  Arshag (b. 1908 in Perkenik) died in the Genocide of 1915. Also, the parents Gregory and Takouhi were victims of this genocide.

 

 

 

Daniel Varoujan's family house was built on the banks of the willow-tree lined Mismil tributary.  On a later occasion he writes about that village house:

 

         A bright little barefoot boy

         will lead you to my paternal home,

         Built  on the bank of a clear, cool brook

         On whose eaves doves coo in delight

         And hanging along its walls

         Tulips shoot forth their buds.[12]

 

One of Varoujan's students, Arakel Badrig[13], has also given us a delightful description of the Chebukkerian home, in 1912, when Varoujan was a teacher at the Aramian Academy in Sebastia.  At the end of the school year Varoujan invites his graduating class to Perkenik to dine at his house.  This piece by Arakel is interesting because it draws a vivid picture of Perkenik.  He writes:

 

After we completed our graduation ceremony, Varoujan congratulated us, saying: 'Tomorrow, you're all invited to come dine at our house in Perkenik.'

For us this was a pleasant surprise indeed.  The following day we met on schedule at the school courtyard, formed a group, and together we headed for Perkenik.  After passing outside the city limits we soon found ourselves

between two oceans of tall amber-colored waves of  grain.  From time to time we encountered Perkeniktsees, some on foot and others mounted, and exchanged greetings and good-natured banter.  They were keen in their replies and their witty wise-cracks delighted us no end.  We were still youngsters just on the threshold of life and everything delighted us. ... When we reached the village proper, women in red aprons, sitting by their doors watched us, somewhat startled.  One old lady said[14] to one nearby:

 

"'Koh, zoaheer  mer Donelin yeehon.''

 

(which in Perkenik dialect means: 'Hey look, evidently they're going to our Daniel.' [JT]). 

 

As we moved ahead along the bank of the stream, we startled some falcons who had been resting on the gravel and with a sudden flutter of wings, they dove into the stream.  We stopped by a water mill and observed a multi-colored rainbow in the spraying water. There in the cool we refreshed ourselves.  Some large green frogs, frightened by our preesence, lept for refuge in the moss.  A little beyond a youngster walking behind two calves, prodding them onward.  On seeing us, he turned back to his little sister and shouted:

 

Yeghsig, noh, kogh-kuhtseeneruh

 

which is Perkenik dialect meaning: 'Look, Liz, city folk![15].' [JT])'

 

At that moment a villager approoached us, greeted us with great respect and informed us that he came to lead us to our Vozhbed's[16] house.

 

It seemed that our group's passing through the village was the day's big event.  Girls with well-groomed woven hair, and wearing sparkling multi-colored beads, stared down at us from the rooftops.  Shortly we entered a yard surrounded by a low fence, at one corner of which a donkey[17] was  tethered.  Braying loud and deep, he was tugging his line impatiently trying to reach his approaching ancient master..At that moment, Varoujan appeared and shouted loud and cheerful greetings.  First he led us through the village-style street-level house where the fire in the cooking stove was crackling. There were no windows in this typical lower level; light came through a central ..??.. ceiling vent.  Our eyes quickly adjusted to the darker interior, which exuded a family warmth and peaceful atmosphere.

 

Varoujan introduced us to his mother, dressed in village garb, a women in her forties, very gracious and smiling, and at whose apron a little boy was hanging on and hiding shyly behind her but sneeking peeks at us.  From the street house we climbed upstairs to the newly constructed upper house, which contained three rooms constructed nicely in the taste of a city dwelling and simply furnished.  The view out the window was enchanting.   Interior plants were surrounding us.  A little further out you could catch glimpses of the stream sparkling like diamonds through openings in thick stands of trees on the near bank.  Everywhere peaceful fieldsof wheat were basking in the sun. You could hear the quiet buzzing monotone of the honeybees coming from the nearby apiaries, and the occasional crowing of    a cock.  After the limited narrow horizons of our city quarters, this free and wind-swept open-air life of the village seemed to us a poet's idyllic dream.  Varoojan was beaming.  We knew that the source of his joy was not merely the charming life here in his paternal home, but also 'she who was to come...'   For Varoujan had been engaged for a few months now under romantic circumstances and he was no doubt living to its full the sweet dreams of tomorrow.  We knew this and read it in his every expression.

This was perhaps the happiest period of his life. ...

We felt the time has passed too quickly.  Already it was midday.

Varoujan's father came in neatly dressed  --  like the natives of the provinces I had seen in 'Bolis  -- grey-haired, fiftyish  He greeted us in a warm loving manner and announced that the dinner was ready.  Varoujan spared nothing to make our meal pleasant and copious.  After we dined we went in a group to the nearby river bank and sat down,  on the grassy areas between the trees, forming a semi-circle around Varoujan who himself was sitting, legs-crossed and leaning on  a tree trunk. ...

Our conversation, sometimes serious, often jovial, lasted for hours. ...

Toward evening, the wind kicked up and swirled dust around the village  which was now filling up with sounds of returning herds.   We had to leave to get to the city before sundown, but we still felt reluctant to part.

 

And now, as I finger the monotonous and often discolored beads of my days back in time, that day in Perkenik shines like a brilliant emerald, truly a magic emerald into which I gaze --   as in a fairy tale  --  and still see that joyful village sprawled along the banks of a stream, through whose narrow streets women in red aprons are still passing by.  Elderly women sitting ..??.. fingering their rosary beads.  And I see a young woman sitting in a yard under the shade of a mulberry tree rocking a cradle, or  .... , or a pair of ruddy oxen walking along the edge of a field, ahead of a villager's thin   frame.  A barefooted boy is throwing stones at the ducks in the rivulet. ...

Sudennly the church bell rings the Angelus.  In front of the mill a whitened miller appears, shakes off the flour from his clothing and makes the sign of the cross.   ...  .(Translation to be continued   [JT])