Manuel Yergatian
Father Manuel Yergatian (1954–2004) was a
Biography
Born in Istanbul on September 11, 1954, Manuel Yergatian, called Hayko Manuel Eldemir (the Turkish equivalent of Yergatian), spent his early years in Turkey, then at a theological training in Jerusalem before returning to serve in the
In October 1980 Fr. Manuel Yergatian was arrested at Istanbul airport while on his way to Jerusalem. He was accompanying a group of students of the Armenian Patriarchate's Seminary in Jerusalem for the summer. Marsden wrote that he was initially arrested because the Turkish authorities claimed that a guard-dog at the Jerusalem Patriarchate's museum was named "
Fr. Yergatian's case was described as "typical for the Turkish government's ... oppression of Armenians in Turkey" [12] and "the most startling case" of "political persecution of Armenian clergymen and laymen after the military coup of 1980".[13] During the 1981 Turkish consulate attack in Paris the Armenian Secret Army for the Liberation of Armenia published a statement which demanded the release of Yergatian and 11 other political prisoners from Turkish prisons.[14]
Fr. Yergatian was an avid painter and used his art as meditation.
Since 1991, Very Rev. Fr. Manuel Yergatian served as the spiritual pastor of the Armenian community of the Netherlands and was known as a "popular and dedicated cleric".[15] The Very Rev. Fr. Manuel Yergatian, the pastor of the Armenian Church in the Netherlands, died on February 11, 2004, in Almelo, the Netherlands at the age of 50.[16] Funeral services were held at St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church in Almelo with the participation of Archbishop Nourhan Manoogian.
References
- ^ The Armenian Genocide: Documentation, 1991, p. 224
- ^ Tessa, Hofmann. Armenians in Turkey today
- ^ Ararat Journal, Vol. 36, 1995, p. 30
- ^ MANUEL YERGATIAN/ARMEENS-APOSTOLISCHE KERK/Soms komen mensen bij mij thuis en dan zeggen ze: Je woont als een Hollander: MARIJKE VERDUYN − "Trouw", 03/09/98
- ^ In Memoriam - Vartabed Manuel Yergatian (1954-2004), By Jackie Abramian // California Courier, April 15, 2004
- ^ A Tortured Priest Rests in Peace; In Memory of Fr. Manuel Yergatian, by Hratch Tchilingirian // The Armenian Reporter, February 21, 2004
- ^ Philip Marsden, "The Crossing Place", p101-102.
- ^ Le Combat arménien: entre terrorisme et utopie : Lausanne, 1923-1983 Авторы: Armand Gaspard, p. 85
- ^ PRESS RELEASE - Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem: Armenian Church Mourns the Passing of Very Rev. Fr. Manuel Vartabed Yergatian, February 13, 2004
- ^ In Memoriam - Vartabed Manuel Yergatian (1954-2004), By Jackie Abramian // California Courier, April 15, 2004
- ^ Mer Doon journal, St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Armenian Church, US, Winter 2004, p. 7
- ^ Journal of political science, Vol. 12-14, Clemson University, 1985, p. 64
- ^ Armenians in Turkey today
- ^ Guerilla threat to kill 40 in Paris siege, The Sydney Morning Herald, Sep. 25, 1981, p. 3
- ^ Ararat Journal, Vol. 36, 1995, p. 30
- ^ A Tortured Priest Rests in Peace; In Memory of Fr. Manuel Yergatian, by Hratch Tchilingirian // The Armenian Reporter, February 21, 2004