The Tarkhanyans descend from a renowned and pious family. Their forefather, Agha Minas Panosyan, was one of the prominent wealthy men of Jugha. He prepared his will on June 8, 1697. In it, he states in particular:
“In the year ՌԷՃ(1710) of the Incarnation of the Savior, following the commandment of Saint Paul the Apostle, I, Minas, son of Panos, have prepared an immutable will so that after my death it may remain firm by the grace of God. According to my will, the almshouse or inn that I founded shall be completed and brought to full completion by my children. After its completion, I also bequeathed 500 tumans to that institution, the interest of which shall serve the living expenses of its residents. I appoint our current Leader and two God-fearing kethkudas as representatives of this sum, so that by consulting with each other, they may collect the interest yearly and allocate it for the needs of the residents. I repeat – no one shall have the right to use this 500 tumans for any other purpose as long as our monastery exists. Let this amount remain whole and undiminished, not to be diverted by either our compatriots or outsiders into principal capital. Furthermore, it is commanded: 50 tumans be given to our monastery, 10 tumans to our church, 5 tumans to the Convent of the Virgins, 5 tumans to other public churches of Jugha, 3 tumans to the church of the Yerevantsis, 10 tumans to my servant Aghsaber, My three captives shall be freed and receive 3 tumans each for their wellbeing — totaling 9 tumans, My grandson Albert shall be taken care of properly, My daughter-in-law, Urughlu, shall receive 10 tumans, To my paternal cousin Mariam, 1 tuman.
Previously, I had promised 3000 tumans to each of my sons. I gave 3000 tumans to my son Kahan by my own will, as he was managing my trading house. Though I have not received an accounting from him for the business, after our separation it became clear that he possessed 7000 tumans. Of that sum, I took 3000 tumans by my will — let that be considered lawful to him — but I did not order anything concerning the remainder. My remaining property is divided as follows: 8 shares to Setagh, 8 shares to Safraz, 8 shares to Eliaz, 8 shares to Eminaz, One share to my daughter Nanajan (framed as her inheritance security), One share to Zarifkhan, One share to Zibe, One share to Anzlo.
Let my grandchildren Zakhatun and Grigor, upon their marriages, have fine clothing — the expense to be shared jointly. One of my six personal shares shall go to my four sons, and whatever else I possess shall also be divided among them. Let Setagh be responsible for performing the necessary rites for me — whether that be liturgy, almsgiving, or in whatever manner he deems suitable. I also ask that my sons continue the renovations of the almshouse, so that it may remain prosperous and well-kept. This is my will. May those who keep and execute it be blessed by God and all His saints, and those who do not — who attempt to neglect or exploit it — may they answer before the Lord on the Day of Judgment. Written on the 8th of June, year ՌՃԽԹ (1149).”
Heirs and Burial Places Agha Minas had five children: Kahan, Setagh, Safraz, Eliaz, and Eminaz. Khoja Minas’s firstborn, Kahan, had three children: Tarkhan, Sahrad, and Avetis. Tarkhan built the summer chapel of the Church of Saint Illuminator. Setagh was buried in the first section of the walls of the All-Savior Monastery, with the following inscription:
“This is the resting place of Setagh, son of Khoja Minas, an Orthodox Christian and God-fearing devout. He was full of good works for the needy and the church, and he acquired many other virtuous qualities in his life. He departed from this world and joined the ranks of angels. May the Lord of all grant him good gifts. In the year of Azaria ԻՂ , in the month of Ovdan, on the twenty-fifth day.”
Setagh’s son, Agha Grigor, was buried next to his father’s grave.
Khoja Eliaz was buried in the northern part of the cathedral located east of the Church of the Holy Mother of God. His tombstone is green in color, 7.5 spans long, 2 spans wide, and half a span thick — quite valuable. The inscription on it reads:
“This is the tomb of the noble, praiseworthy, and virtuous lord Eliaz, son of Khoja Minas, who passed away among the company of martyrs in the year small ՂԶ (1711), Dama A., on Tuesday.”
Khoja Eminaz, unfortunately, was burned alive by order of Nader Shah for crafting a saddle with gold inlay. He was buried in the chapel of the Gharagel Church. His epitaph reads:
“This is the tomb of the pious, ever-praying devout, of the illustrious noble family — the youngest son of Khoja Minas, the eloquent and wise lord Eminaz. At the appointed time, he endured the sufferings of a martyr, resting with the holy martyrs, buried in this grave. On the holy day of water blessing, whoever enters under this roof, remember him worthily. Say one ‘Our Father’ and grant mercy. May Christ the Lord have mercy upon you. Year ՌՃՂԵ (1195).”
Here is the original text about the Tarkhanyan family history.
