Mkhitar Sparapet

Mkhitar Sparapet (Armenian: Մխիթար Սպարապետ; Sparapet meaning "general", "constable" or rather "supreme commander of the armed forces") (?-1730) was an 18th-century Armenian national hero and participant in the struggle for preserving the Armenian heritage in the Zangezur region of Transcaucasia. He was instrumental in David Bek's victories over the forces of Safavid Iran and the Ottoman Empire in Armenia's Zangezur region. Their main headquarters were at the fortress of Halidzor which also served as the administrative center for Syunik. Mkhitar served as chief aide to Bek and later his successor after his death in 1728.

Mkhitar Sparapet
Մխիթար Սպարապետ
The tomb of Mkhitar Sparapet
Born?
Died1730
Murdered by Armenian villagers of Khndzoresk.
Buried
A tomb in a gorge near Nerkin Khndzoresk and Old Khndzoresk.
AllegianceArmenian national movement
Years of service1722/5-1728; 1728-1730
RankSparapet

In 1730, Mkhitar was murdered by Armenian villagers of Khndzoresk, who had implored him to have his own fortifications destroyed during his conflicts rather than their village. His head was presented to the Ottoman Pasha at Tabriz, who found this act of treachery detestable and had the murderers decapitated. The tomb of Mkhitar Sparapet is located in a gorge not far from Nerkin Khndzoresk and Old Khndzoresk.

Mkhitar's death sealed the fate of the Armenian liberation struggle.[1]

Mkhitar was one of the characters of the Soviet "David Bek" film of 1944. Another movie, made in 1978 by Armenfilm and Mosfilm, bore the name of Mkhitar Sparapet and enjoyed success in the Soviet Republic of Armenia.

Sparapet Day

Sparapet Day (Armenian: Սպարապետի օր) is a public holiday in Armenia that is commemorated on 12 September, honoring the memory of Sparapet. The President of Armenia, the Prime Minister of Armenia, and the Defence Minister attend the official celebrations. The tomb to Sparapet in Khndzoresk (Syunik Province) is the focal point of the celebrations.[2]

References
  1. Adalian 2010, pp. 250-251.
  2. "PM attends Sparapet Day celebrations in Khndzoresk, inspects progress in Old Goris rehabilitation project". www.primeminister.am. Retrieved 2020-10-05.

Sources
  • Adalian, Rouben Paul (2010). Historical Dictionary of Armenia (2 ed.). Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0810874503.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Kiesling, Brady (2005), Rediscovering Armenia: Guide, Yerevan, Armenia: Matit Graphic Design Studio
  • Brady Kiesling, Rediscovering Armenia, p. 96; original archived at Archive.org, and current version online on Armeniapedia.org.


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