Armenian Evangelical College (AEC): Founding Principal Bedros Karzayr – 1

Vahe H. Apelian 

First and foremost, I would like to note that I opted to transliterate Պետրոս Քարծայր as Bedros Karzayr. Google transliterates the Armenian name in Eastern Armenian as K’arçayr, and in Western Armenian as Kʿardzayr. The latter - Kardzayr - seems to be adopted by his family. I will elaborate on my choice of the transliteration at the conclusion of the text.

I do not remember when I first heard the name Bedros Karzayr. He is the founding principal of the Armenian Evangelical College. The centennial of the the school he founded in 1923, in Beirut was celebrated this year in Beirut (May 5) and in Los Angeles (September 30) and may be celebrated in Yerevan as well in November.

But Bedros Karzayr’s name was etched in my memory when I read that he was Dr. Antranig Manougian’s father. It must have been a decade ago, and probably was when I read the eminent doctor’s obituary. The records indicate that Dr. Antranig Manougian died on March 10, 2023. I quote: D. Antranig Manougian “was the representative the Evangelical Community of Lebanon in the Lebanese Parliament for twenty years. He headed the National Mental Hospital of Lebanon for long years–was Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry at the American University of Beirut–and a member of many Lebanese and World Medical & Health Associations–was on the Board of Managers of Haigazian University–the Board of the Near East School of Theology–the Board of Centers for Armenian Handicapped in Lebanon–was a founding member and longtime president of the Armenian Evangelical Youth Association–and a long time member and chairman of the Armenian Evangelical Community Council of Lebanon These are but a few of Doctor Manugian’s contributions to community life.” (“Asbarez” Daily, March 12, 2003). Antranig Manougian, MD was also among the first graduating class - class of 1927 -  of the school his father founded.

I distinctly remember that it sounded odd to me that father and son have different family names. I attributed Karzayr, being Dr. Antranig Manougian’s father’s pen name or his established moniker and that he was known by his assumed name rather than his baptismal name. After all, who among us remembers Taniel Varoujan’s family name and would know him by his baptismal name Taniel Tchboukkiarian, or Aram Haigaz by his baptismal name Aram Chekenian.

It was this year, at the school's centennial, that I found that Dr. Antranig Manougian was in fact Bedros Karzayr’s adopted son and that Karzayr is the Armenian Evangelical College founding principal’s actual family name.

The following book-“Abrogh Echer Anzyalen – Living pages form the past – Ապրող էջեր Անցեալէն” – by Dr. Zaven Messerkian; and the following two booklets were issued as part of the centennial celebration: “Armenian Evangelical College –  Հայ Աւետարանական Գոլէճ” – by Housig Donabedian; and “Bedros Karzayr – Պետրոս Քարծայր”, edited by  Dr. Armen Urneshlian. I quote from the latter booklet. 

Bedros Karzayer was born in 1890 in Hadjin. His father died prematurely leaving behind five orphaned children. His older brother and his sisters started working from their early years to get by, while Bedros continued his education in Hadjin local Armenian school. After graduation he attended Jenanyan College in Konya during the principalship of Prof. Armenag Haygazian, after whom the only Armenian University in the Diaspora is named, the Haigazian University (see the note blow).

Bureaucratic hurdles prevented him to further his education in the United States, and he remained in Constantinople during the first world war years, after which he taught for two years in his alma mater, the Jenanyan College, until the persecution by the Kemalists, during which he found shelter with a local family and subsequently refuge in Lebanon, along with other orphans. 

In Lebanon he was put in charge of grown-up orphans in the Armenian orphanage in Antelias. He married Mrs. Nvart Ayjian (Նուարդ Այճեան), who was a genocide widow. They had two children of their own and were the parents of Nvart’s three children Antranig, Samuel and Tzovag. Their father, Dr. Antranig Manougian's biological father Rev. Samuel Manougian,  was among the first martyrs of Kharpert.

Upon Near East Relief disbanding the orphanages under its jurisdiction, Bedros Karzayr founded his school with the assistance of the Armenian Evangelical church. 

According to his contemporary Rev. Yeghia Kassouny’s testimonial, Bedros Karzayr elevated the school from elementary to high school. Being a graduate of the Jenanyan College, Bedros Karzayr had succeeded assuring a one thousand dollars budget from the Jeranyan Foundaation, during the formative years of the school he founded (see the picture below)

Bedros Karzayr passed away on September 8, 1929, at young age. He was 39 years old. 

It is thought that Karzayr family name he adopted is after the namesake mountain located north of Zeytoun. There is also a testimonial that their patriarchal house was built next to a large rock and hence their family was referred to as Karzayrs, the family at the rock's edge. Karzayr being a compound name is made of two words, քար - kar (rock) and ծայր -zayr (at the edge.)

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Note: Rev. Dr. Armenag Haigazian (1870-1921) - “A man of deep Christian faith with a generous heart, distinguished integrity and deep intelligence. A most prominent educator in the Near East, Dr. Armenag Haigazian was born 150 years ago on September 22, 1870, in Hadjin. He was an innovative academic, and at the age of 31 became President of Jenanyan College in Konya, Turkey. A person of principles and high moral standards, his life served as an example for others to follow. Dr. Haigazian’s commitment and strong sense of duty continued until his martyrdom during the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923.” (Haigazian University)