ISTANBUL (Agos)—Following a six-month course of church doctrine and basic knowledge of Christian belief, 12 more Dersim Armenians took their first step back to Christianity with a collective baptism ceremony. Two married couples also held religious engagement ceremonies following the baptism ceremony held on May 9 at the Yeşilköy Surp Stepanos Church in Istanbul.
The efforts of forcibly Islamized Armenians to “return to their identity” have accelerated in recent years. Such individuals display a desire to live and express their identity openly, which they are forced to conceal in their neighborhoods, at school and at their workplaces, and to bring an end to the division of identities sometimes even experienced within the same family.
Led by Father Dirtad Uzunean, the baptism ceremony was presided over by Archbishop Aram Ateshian. The Dersimians who returned to Christianity took the names Karin, Derev, Naira, Lia, Arev, Arshaluys, Kristin, Hovnan, Rupen, Hovannes Minas, Lusin Mane, and Minas. The couples Boghos and Sirpuhi Cholak and Hovannes and Lusin Cholak consolidated their marriage ties by repeating their vows in the presence of the Church. Yervant Dink and Kamer Karatayli acted as groomsmen for the couple.
“I am now experiencing the freedom of being able to defend myself against those who insult us. Today, I am the happiest person in the world. For years, Armenians suffered the greatest insults at my workplace, and I could not speak back, fearing I would lose my job. From now on, I will wear my cross around my neck. We dreamed of this day since our childhood. We are returning to our roots,” said Arev.
