Ezbider (village that was previously located in Shapin-Garahisar and is currently in Sebastia-Akunk ed.) was being buried in darkness with the ashes of a candle that had been put out in April 1915. People weren’t able to understand that situation amid the agitated silence. Surbik, who has just turned 18, is the daughter of Garegin, a priest of the Saint Karapet Armenian Church. She is engaged to a young man by the name of Sargis.

Priest Garegin forms a small group of young villagers, among which is Surbik’s fiancé, Sargis. Unarmed, Father Garegin and those young men go to Shapin-Garahisar to learn about the situation, but none of them returns…In the evening, all the villagers start being forcefully exiled. While this is going on, Surbik witnesses great sufferings. After the march that lasted days, Surbik and her mother give the gendarmerie two pieces of gold, return and managed to reach their Ezbider village by hiding at the peaks of mountains in the afternoons and walking at night. Surbik leaves her mother near the entrance to the village for a while since her mother is no longer capable of walking and leaves for the village alone at dawn. The first thing that comes to her mind is the church where she had spent her entire childhood and where her father had served for many years. Thinking that the church could serve as a shelter, she runs towards it, but what she sees make her sadder. The Saint Karapet Armenian Church had been destroyed and was in ruins. Walking through the ruins of the church, Surbik noticed a copper cup, immediately takes it, puts it in her bosom and leaves quickly. She and her mother stay in the village for years. Surbik works in the fields, as well as spins thread from wool and cotton and sews to earn a living and constantly lives in fear. Life was not easy for Surbik. She changes her name to Gulper under pressure, and the new mullah of the village represses her to learn the rules of Islam. Her life becomes more and more difficult. Praying by looking at the stars at night becomes the only way for her to console her soul. After so many tears that have been shed, she can no longer see the shining stars as she used to…

One day when Surbik and her mother were knitting a wool stocking in the attic in late fall, Surbik’s mother sees and recognizes Yeghia, who was passing near the entrance to the door. She calls to Yeghia who was leaving quickly and screams: “Yeghia, Yeghia! Are you alive?”

Surprised, the latter approaches, climbs to the attic and looks into the eyes of Surbik. Surbik meets Yeghia, who is the son of zurna player Margar from Hayrapet’s extended family, which had undergone more suffering than her. Surbik was a little older than Yeghia. The latter had stayed alive by chance and was the youngest member of the extended family of Hayrapet, who was known as the wealthiest and most honest person in the village. Since there was great repression for assimilation during those years, Yeghia was named Shevk, while Surbik was named Gulper. They get married in 1920. At the time, their only belonging was the cup that Surbik had found in the ruins of the church. They put all their sorrows and sufferings in that cup and start living together.

The following is why this real story is linked to me: Yeghia and Surbik are my father’s grandparents, and I take pride in them.

Note: The copper cup in the photo had been the property of the Saint Karapet Armenian Church for years and had been served for thousands of people. This is what is left from my great-grandparents, and I consider it a great honor.

Translated from Turkish into Armenian by Meline Anumyan

Akunq.net