Another Pioneer​—In the Hidden Empire

Around the same time, another courageous pioneer, Krikor Hatzakortzian, entered Ethiopia to present spiritual enlightenment in his native Armenian language as well as in Greek and French. His venture was into a country that was unusual in many ways.

In this setting in 1935, Brother Hatzakortzian found himself without a pioneer partner but with full trust in Jehovah. The following excerpts from his letter giving a report of his activity, published in the November 1, 1935, Watchtower, give us an idea of what he was facing:

“I don’t consider it strange to be persecuted for righteousness’ sake, and I expect more to follow. . . . Jehovah of hosts has protected me in the past, and he will do so also in the future.

“At noon I was coming home from my work, and one of the agents of Satan, suddenly coming out of his hiding place, struck me twice on the head with a big staff; he hit me so hard that the staff broke to pieces. But by the Lord’s help, and to the astonishment of the neighbors my wound was not very serious. I stayed in bed only two days. On another occasion the representatives of the enemy attacked me with knives; but the very moment they were going to stab me, by the influence of some unknown power they threw their knives and left me alone.

“But [they] continue their persecution. This time they made up false statements about me, and sent me to the capital (Addis Ababa) to appear before the emperor. During my stay (four months) there in the capital, I went everywhere and gave the witness from house to house, as well as in the hotels and café houses. At last I was brought before the emperor. He heard me; and not finding any fault, he set me free and commanded me to go home. Praise the Lord for this victory!”

“The people live in fear and perplexity, but I rejoice in the Lord. May Almighty Jehovah bless you richly, and strengthen you to finish the work he has given you to do.

Your brother in Christ,

K. Hatzakortzian.”

No word was heard from Brother Hatzakortzian during the turmoil of World War II, but in the early 1950’s, when Gilead-trained missionaries arrived in Addis Ababa, they got wind of rumors about a man in Diredawa (Dire Dawa) “who talks like you.” Haywood Ward reached this eastern town and found an old man who spoke no English. As the missionary identified himself, the old man broke down in tears, looked toward the heavens, and mumbled something in Armenian including Jehovah’s name. It was Brother Hatzakortzian. The day he had longed for had come! Weeping with joy, he embraced Brother Ward. Brother Hatzakortzian then proudly pulled out old boxes and showed dog-eared Watchtowers and books, all the time talking happily in a language that his visitor did not understand.

Brother Ward felt wonderful about this encounter and expected to visit again, but that was not to be. When other missionaries went to see him, they found people mourning. Brother Hatzakortzian had died.

To the missionaries he was like a “Melchizedek.” (Heb. 7:1-3) There were many unanswered questions: Who was he? Where did he come from? Where did he learn the truth? What happened to him during the troubled years of World War II? In any event, he was a courageous early pioneer in Ethiopia.