Mkrtich Khrimian (Hairik)

Khrimian Hayrik(1820-1907) Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople (1869-1873), Prelate of Van (1880-1885) and Catholicos of all Armenians (1892-1907). A writer, newspaper editor and political leader, he led the Armenian delegation to the Congress of Berlin (1878). He was deposed as Patriarch by the Turkish Sultan for his activities aimed to creation of Armenian autonomy within the Ottoman Empire. In 1903, he ordered his clergy to ignore the edict of Russian Tsar Nicolas II concerning the church properties. For his extraordinary dedication to the protection of the Armenians both in Ottoman Empire and in Russia, he was given the affectionate title of Hayrik (Father).

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