A New Book by Dr. Yervant Kassouni: «ՔՆՆԱԿԱՆ ԱԿՆԱՐԿ, «ՄԻՇԸՆԵՐԻ ՀԵՐԼԸՏ »ի 1915-1918 թթ. ՀԱՅ ԺՈՂՈՎՈՒՐԴԻ ՑԵՂԱՍՊԱՆՈՒԹԵԱՆ ԵՒ ՎԵՐԱԾՆՈՒՆԴԻ ՄԱՍԻՆ ԱՐՁԱՆԱԳՐՈՒԱԾ ՎԿԱՅԱԳՐՈՒԹԻՒՆՆԵՐՈՒՆ»


A Critique of the Genocide of the Armenian People And Their Survival As Attested By the Testimonies Published in the "Missionary Herald" (1915-1918)

The reports and testimonies published by American Missionary Board's monthly "Missionary Herald" (1915-1918) on the Armenian Genocide perpertuated by the Turkish during Word War I, constitute a unique importance among the thousands of diplomatic documents, foreign eyewitness and personal memories written on the subject. The authors of these reports and testimonies were the American and European missionaries who were then serving within the boundaries of the Ottoman Empire in the occupied Western Armenia and Armenian Cilicia. These missionaries, not only witnessed the perpetuated Genocide and the forced deportation of the Armenians, but often they themselves were personally threatened by this great crime.

The first part of the present volume consists of the Armenian translations (translated by Yevnige Dokouzlian-Yacoubian) of these missionaries' reports and testimonies on the Armenian Genocide and the deportations as published in the "Missionary Herald" (1915-1918).

The second part of this work is a critical study of the personalities, the geographical places, the events and the dates mentioned in these reports and testimonies. The study is not a mere annotation of the afore-mentioned subjects but, in addition to the relevant information provided, it tends to weave these elements into the broader context and history of the period. Furthermore, to remain true to the historical evolutionary process, the study had taken into consideration the larger historical framework extending from 1894 to 1923.

This study also underlines the fact that, despite the plans designed by the Turks against the Armenians people, this people succeeded to survive and rise, thansk to its will to life and to the generous assistance and hospitality of the Arab World, especially Syria, who welcomed the Armenian people with open arms and contributed generously to their survvial process.

The appendix of this volume contains additional testimonies and memoirs which support the presented documents and the conclusions of this study.

The Word that cannot be hidden

“Jesus answered, ‘I tell you that if they keep quiet, the stones themselves will start shouting’” Luke 19:40

As Jesus was entering Jerusalem people spread their clothes on the road so that the King of Glory could pass. It was a moment of great joy. Everyone was shouting and singing, “God bless the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory to God!” (Luke 19:38).

The Pharisees, though, were disturbed by this. But why?

One could say maybe because they were jealous. People were turning to Christ because of the miracles and healings he was performing. Jesus despised praise from the proud. He accepted praise from the humble. Also, the Pharisees were angry at him because they could see how He had attracted the people to him and they couldn’t silence Him, for it is written, “If they keep quiet, the stones themselves will start shouting” Luke 19:40.

This verse unleashes extreme power!

  1. It states that the world and all its components, even non-living things like stones which don’t have a soul, are amazed and overwhelmed by God’s glory! God’s glory doesn’t just affect humankind. It has cosmic radiance, a universal impact. His glory is felt by the entire world and all its beings. It’s a message that even rocks cannot hide it anymore. It needs to be proclaimed from mountain tops to the ends of the seas. In this verse we see a deep and profound correlation between Christ’s message, the Word and the Universe.
  2. There is no way to keep quiet. The word “quiet” is very quickly replaced by the word “shouting”. God’s message provides so much joy and happiness that keeping quiet is not an option. Even more than that, it is impossible! The Word can’t have boundaries. It doesn’t have any limits. It isn’t confined in a cage! It’s a free Word, free from chains humanity has set and free from social and cultural chains. God’s message of love, hope and salvation is a message that surpasses all human understanding and that cannot be drowned by any power in the Universe.
  3. Even stones can’t keep the Word from being proclaimed! How about us, living creatures? In this 21st century, it so happens that the responsibility of spreading the Word has been entrusted to us. It is our duty, with Christ’s help, to spread the Word as far and as wide as possible. Don’t keep quiet. Shout the name of the Lord! Remember, if Christ can raise up children of Abraham out of rocks just imagine what He can do for you and for others.


Vahé Jébéjian