From an interview with Peter Bilezikian (1912-2010), circa 1977
"There was a priest in Marash -- Der Ghevont -- who, if necessary, would take his gun and run after the Turks, then come back and finish his Badarak (mass). My mother told me about him -- a distant relation to my mother. We used to go there (to Sourp Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church) Sunday mornings around 6 and stay 'til about 10, then at 10 went from Sourp Sarkis Yeghegetsi and go to the first Protestant church on the other side of the city. Karaman Dingle (Dinle) (Birinji Kilise - First Evangelical Church, Marash -- Peter's grandfather was the first minister of that church). When I went to (the Protestant) church, I used to go to Sunday School . . . (Walking all the way, of course.)"
"I wore a shabig and used to sing at Sourp Sarkis (St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church) when I was about 6 or 7 years old at the most. (When asked how he felt about that, he answered,) We had to do it. We accepted things as they were. It wasn't what you wanted, or what you didn't. (When asked why he went to both churches, he answered, ) My mother said it wouldn't do us any harm. We'd learn something. She was a Protestant at the time. She became a Protestant when she was in the German orphanage -- Bethel -- which you were named after."
My grandmother Seranoush was born about 1885, and left as a girl during the Hamidian massacres. She insisted that many Armenians were adopted by Germans to Germany,which i could never verify. I am aware of a German orphanage or hospital in Marash.
ReplyDeleteHave you heard of this?
To the granddaughter of Seranoush born about 1885:
DeleteStanley Kerr, in his book, THE LIONS OF MARASH (available at http://www.OldCornerBooks.com) about the German Orphanage, known as Petel (or Bethel - House of God), the orphanage where my grandmother was placed after witnessing the murder of her parents in 1895. I wonder if our grandmothers were friends. Must have been, because Yepros Kurtgusian (maiden name) was born around 1886! Kerr also documents the existence of a German hospital, and the unpublished memoir of Santoukht Kouyoumjian notes that Dr. Der Ghazarian, who as a doctor in the hospital, got his training in Germany. (He was cousin to the Catholic Vartabed, Hayr Yeprem.) Later, during the war, my grandmother Yepros (see earlier blogs) worked at the hospital caring for, among others, wounded Turkish soldiers and receiving a loaf of bread a day from the hospital for a full day's work. It was all her family had to eat. This hospital is also mentioned in Stanley Kerr's book, THE LIONS OF MARASH, which is the publication of his experiences in Marash as a medical missionary. Would love to hear more about your grandmother.
My grandmother (maiden nameTatoulian) and her mother Doodoo (maiden name Haytaian) fled the massacres of the 1890's, first to Egypt, then Indian Orchard, Springfield, Bridgeport and in 1945 Fresno.
ReplyDeleteThe great grandfather Boghos Tatoulian left separately, and got to Boston in 1898 or so. He joined the army as a cook, and went to the Phillipines. In 1901 he died of yellow fever en route to Egypt to get his wife and child.
My grandmother had two brothers. Albert was adopted by Irish people in Southie, and became Albert o'Toole. He lost his Armenian, and was reunited in the 30's.
The other brother Vahan ended up in the south where he was mistaken for a mixed race person, and jailed for not getting off the sidewalk when a white man passed him. He ended up in River Rouge Michigan working in the Ford plant.
To Anonymous Marashtsi: I know that Doodoo and the Haytaians are part of our family history. Just don't know how. Remember their names being mentioned when I was growing up! What else can you tell us about your family? Fascinating history you have!
Deletethat last sentence from anonymous really hits home. But, Albert O'Toole, imagine that, an Irish Armenian, what a combination; he could have been President, if only he had been born in the USA.
ReplyDeleteI don't know much more. The family held a lot of agricultural lands, all of course lost. My great great grandfather was a rug merchant. I spoke once to Senator Haytaian's brother who thought we might be related as well.
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