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Catholicos Mgrdich Khrimian was the personification of love. He was a true patriot and believed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and its profound message of liberation and empowerment. He loved God, his people and the soil of the Armenian homeland. Teacher, writer, poet, priest, Prelate, Patriarch of Istanbul (1869-1873), Catholicos of all Armenians (from 1892-1907), Mgrdich Khrimian held many titles, but the one that has endured throughout the years is the one given to him by the people, Hayrig (Father)!
In all aspects of Khrimian Hayrig's life, his writings, sermons, and deeds, there is evidence of integrity and strength. He was a genuine leader, a man who toiled endlessly to improve life for his flock, to strengthen family life in his nation, and to educate not only young men, but women as well. This was a visionary concept for that period of history. He strove for enlightenment, and in so doing, enlightened the path for posterity. He was a father-figure to Komitas Vartabed and encouraged him in his pursuit of musical education. He is distinguished as a writer, being one of the earliest to focus on the soil of Western Armenia rather than the Diasporan life. In this regard he forged the path for future writers to reflect the life in the homeland. He encouraged his people to defend themselves against the plunder and the criminal acts committed by the Kurdish tribes who were encouraged by the Turkish authorities. Khrimian fostered his people to resist their aggressors:Until when are you going to be butchered like sheep by the savage and ignorant Kurds? You are men! You have a pair of hands! Do you think you can have freedom without blood? Freedom will not come to you as a gift.www.vasbouragan.org He was a practical man, yet a man of faith and courage.
When Mgrdich Khrimian became the Prelate of Daron, the Turkish government singled out the Armenians and taxed them only. The local authorities ignored Khrimian's pleas to stop this unfair practice. The Prelate wrote to the Patriarchate in Istanbul, and filed complaints with the governor of Erzrum, to no avail. Finally, in the middle of winter, he traveled to Garin, convinced a few dignitaries to join him, and pled his case to the governor. He succeeded in getting an order to repeal the taxes. When he returned to Moush, huge crowds of Armenians came to greet him. Expressing their deep love for this loving, fatherly Prelate, the people of Moush dubbed him with affection.Hayrig.This is the story behind this beloved endearment which he carried with great joy for the remainder of his life.
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