Sahag II Khabayan (1849-1939): Catholicos of Cilicia as Witness to Massacres and the Armenian Genocide

The annual Raymond Kevorkian Genocide Commemoration Lecture will be delivered by Dr. Bedross Der Matossian of the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, and will be followed by a discussion by Dr. Vahe Tachjian.

This lecture is organized by the Richard Hovannisian Chair of Modern Armenian History at UCLA,

 

Friday, April 25, 2025
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM (Pacific Time)
UCLA Bunche Hall, Room 6275

This is a hybrid event.  Please click here for participation via the Zoom Webinar platform.

The talk examines the life and actions of Sahag II Khabayan, the Catholicos of the House of Cilicia, as a lens through which to explore the Armenian Genocide and its aftermath. By reconstructing Khabayan’s biography through his correspondence, the talk will challenge traditional historiographies, prioritizing state archives—particularly Ottoman and German sources—over other significant historical records written in Armenian. It will emphasize the importance of Armenian survivor accounts, such as Khabayan’s letters, in understanding the complexities of the genocide and the efforts to preserve Armenian identity and survival in its wake. Khabayan’s unique position as a political and religious leader during three critical phases of violence—the Adana massacres of 1909, the Armenian Genocide (1915-1923), and the Kemalist offensive (1918-1921) in Cilicia—offers a nuanced perspective on the events. The talk highlights three critical contradictions to traditional narratives: Khabayan’s loyalty to the Ottoman government during World War I, his relationship with Cemal Pasha (one of the key perpetrators of the genocide), and his post-war stance on the future of Armenians in Cilicia, which included critiques of the Armenian National Delegation’s reliance on European powers. Through Khabayan’s efforts to rebuild the Armenian community in Antelias, Lebanon, after the genocide, the talk will underscore his leadership in creating a sanctuary for Armenians and preserving their religious and cultural life. In doing so, the talk will expand the historiographical discourse on the Armenian Genocide, offering a more comprehensive understanding of survival, resistance, and the political realities faced by Armenians during and after this traumatic period.

 

Sponsors: The Promise Armenian Institute, Center for Near Eastern Studies, Department of History, Richard Hovannisian Chair of Modern Armenian History at UCLA, UCLA Armenian Music Program