By Harry L. Koundakjian
Editor’s note: the following is addressed to the Armenian press around the world, as well as members of the Koundakjian clan
We are descendants of natives of Hassanbeyli. Almost all of our great-grandparents came from Hassanbeyli, a mountainous region in Cilicia. Some others are from Aintab, Adana, and nearby villages and towns.
This is a portion of a letter that was found in Germany recently. I understand other parts of this letter might be extant, and we are searching for them.
It was written by our Grandmother, Yeretsgin Mariam (Mary) Koundakjian, widow of Verabadveli (Reverend) Hagop Koundakjian of the Armenian Evangelical Church of Hassanbeyli (Amanos). Medz Mana (Grandmother) wrote this letter on May 7, 1909 after the massacre of our Grandfather Hagop and 28 members of his congregation, including cousins and uncles.
Medz Mama addressed this letter to her three daughters: Persape (nee Koundakjian) Badeer, wife of Dr. Sarkis Badeer of Beirut, Lebanon; Helen (also nee Koundakjian) Hadidian, wife of Rev. Yenovk Hadidian, Pastor of the Ashrafie Armenian Evangelical Church of Beirut, Lebanon; and Yevnigue (nee Koundakjian) Jebejian, wife of Dr. Avedi Jebejian of Aleppo, Syria and to their children’s children, us.
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My Dearest Children,
I wish I had not been compelled to write about the terrible and frightening tragedies that took place here.
The tragedy struck us like lightning.
With tears in my eyes I write to you.
Your father, (Rev. Hagop Koundakjian) was luckier than we were, because, at the beginning of the catastrophe, he was killed on his way to Adana, burned alive inside the church in Osmaniye with 28 members of his congregation, and did not see the sudden destruction and premeditated attacks on our city.
He did not witness the burning of his city, nor did he hear the shootings by the enemy.
He did not see his sisters, brothers and relatives shot to death indiscriminately.
On April 11, 1909, we had our Communion (at church, during the service). It was a rather heartfelt ceremony. Nobody knew that this would be his last sermon...
On the next day, Father journeyed to the annual Conference of the Armenian Evangelical Churches, which was being held in Osmaniye. We, the womenfolk, were driven (exiled) towards Bakhche, where we are until today. They (the Ottoman Turks) threatened us with death if we did not convert to and accept Islam.
I want to assure you, my children, that all these difficulties, persecutions and doomsday announcements have strengthened us in our father, Christianity, and belief in God.
Everything down to the roots was destroyed: the church, in which your father served for over 30 years disappeared. But we think of Hebrews 10, verses 32-34, where we read: “Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest against suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times, you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.”
Dirty, dry and hard pieces of bread were put in front of us, while the children were dying of starvation...
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This is the portion of the letter. All efforts to locate the rest have been in vain so far. But we will continue the search.
Harry Koundakjian is International Photo Editor at the Associated Press Headquarters in New York City.
