KHRIMIAN HAIRIK

[ara baliozian]

KHRIMIAN HAIRIK

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By Avedik Issahakian

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I met Khrimian Hairik for the first time in 1901 at Etchmiadzin,

shortly after a visit to Venice

where Father Leo Alishan had asked me to extend his fondest regards

to the "Little Father of the Armenian nation."

Hairik was interested in many things – literature, politics, the sciences

– and loved asking endless questions.

"What do you know about a German scientist by the name of Hegel?" he

wanted to know on one occasion.

"I have heard of him, your Excellency," I replied. "He is one of Darwin’s

better-known disciples."

"One of our Jemaran teachers was talking about him the other day.

It seems he has formulated an irrefutable argument proving the Biblical

version of the creation to be nonsense and that man’s real ancestors were

beasts. This may indeed be true, because I have always thought there is

something of the beast in man."

If I were to transcribe all his witty remarks, stories and reminiscences,

they would fill a large volume.

I saw him for the last time in the fall of 1906.

"Hairik isn't feeling well – he won't last long," he said on that

occasion. "Oh, well, there are many good people buried beneath the earth

– princes, kings, heroes, Khorenatsi, Narekatsi, Victor Hugo...I may join

their company soon. Will you come and visit my tomb? You may even shed a

tear or two, yes? Or perhaps not. No matter, because I know you will miss

me. There will be someone else sitting in my chair and you may not be

able exchange jokes and laughs with him as you did with me…."

I will never forget his eagle eyes and his majestic voice; and I don't

think the Armenian people will forget him either. Time’s passage will

enhance his memory.

(translated by arabaliozian@juno.com)