83 years ago, the world was a scary and unfair place where innocent people were persecuted and killed for their beliefs, their religion or their nationality. All across Europe, the Nazis and their local collaborators were destroying everything and everyone. Many people were spectators of these persecutions and were too scared to intervene, but one man stood out from the crowd and refused to be a helpless spectator. This exceptional man is Armenian, and his name is Harutyun Khachatryan.
Born on April 10, 1915, in Nakhichevan, Khachatryan was a kind and intelligent teenager who cared about others more than himself. In 1934, he moved to Yerevan and pursued his studies at the Yerevan State Medical Institute. When World War II broke out, Khachatryan quickly realized that millions of young men were about to be killed and wounded, so he joined the Soviet Army as a physician.
Meanwhile, in Starokostiantyniv, Ukraine, a young man named Iosip Kogan was dreaming of becoming a teacher, but the war put all his dreams on hold. After being drafted into the Red Army, he proudly fulfilled his duties and rose through the ranks. In June 1941, when Germany attacked the Soviet Union, Kogan and his unit were at the railway station of Moscow, waiting for the train that would take them to the front. That’s when Kogan started talking to another officer, who was also waiting for a train – Dr. Khachatryan. The Armenian military physician initially thought that Kogan was Armenian, but Kogan told him that he was Jewish. After a little chat, they said goodbye and never imagined that their paths would cross again.
When Kogan and his unit reached the front lines, they discovered the true meaning of hell on earth. Kogan demonstrated remarkable courage, but the Nazis were unstoppable. Badly wounded by enemy fire, Kogan was captured by German troops on August 24, 1941, and taken to a POW camp. He was in critical condition and was clinging to life.
That’s when a miracle happened. Khachatryan, who had also been captured and taken to the same POW camp, recognized the young man he had met at the station and immediately treated his wounds. Kogan’s condition quickly improved, but he wasn’t out of danger. At that moment, the Germans were separating the Jewish prisoners from the others, and everybody knew their fate. In order to save Kogan’s life, the Armenian doctor took Kogan’s papers and changed his name to Michail Markosyan. He even taught Kogan a few Armenian words.
For months, Khachatryan protected and took care of Kogan. Many prisoners looked at Kogan and saw a Jew who could cause them trouble, but Khachatryan saw a human being who needed help. In his situation, most of us would have focused on surviving, but Khachatryan wasn’t an ordinary man. This extraordinary man believed that every single life mattered, and every person in danger should be rescued.
Whenever the Armenian prisoners were sent to a new POW camp, Khachatryan always made sure that Kogan came with them. One day, when all the prisoners had to undergo a medical examination, the Armenian doctor feared that the Germans would realize that Kogan was circumcised, so Khachatryan arranged for Kogan to change places with another prisoner.
In February 1943, a rumor circulated in the camp that a Jew was hiding among the prisoners. To avoid being discovered, Kogan decided to escape and managed to join a local resistance group. In August 1944, when the area was liberated, Kogan and his comrades joined the Red Army and confronted the Germans until the definitive surrender of Nazi Germany.
Following the war, Khachatryan returned to Armenia and worked as a chief physician at the Ashtarak Regional Hospital. Time went by, but Kogan never forgot the man who saved his life multiple times. To remember the kindness, compassion and courage of this Armenian hero, Kogan wrote down everything that happened. Khachatryan passed away on November 23, 1985, at the age of 70, but 27 years after his death, in 2012, the precious testimony written by Kogan was sent to Yad Vashem memorial, which recognized Khachatryan as Righteous Among the Nations. A magnificent ceremony was held in Yerevan, attended by Israel’s ambassador to Armenia, Shmuel Meirom, and Armenian singer Anna Khachatryan, Harutyun’s granddaughter.
Irish social entrepreneur Mary Davis once said: “We can’t heal the world today, but we can begin with a voice of compassion, a heart of love and an act of kindness.” That’s exactly what Khachatryan did. By saving Kogan, he showed us that all the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.
Today, the world is still a scary and unfair place where innocent people are persecuted and killed for their beliefs, their religion or their nationality, but there are so many anonymous heroes who are following in Khachatryan’s footsteps and doing what is right. So whoever you are, and whatever happens, whenever you see someone being persecuted, stand out from the crowd, and refuse to be a helpless spectator.
John Dekhane
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Another outstanding article. Thank you John.
Humanity in the midst of war. RIP Dr. Harutyun Khachatryan. Your kindness and selflessness will never be forgotten.
Such an inspiring article and such a remarkable man. Rest in peace Dr Khachatryan.
Thanks, John, for another very interesting historical fact. It’s always a pleasure to read your columns that delve into WWII. Thanks for putting so much time into finding those stories.
Tremendous story John. I always look forward to reading your articles.