A handful of historic objects from Efkere exist in various collections.
The beautiful black and white vintage photograph of Efkere on the home page of this web site, for example, is originally from the Haig Sarajian collection, and is now in the ProjectSAVE archives. The same can be said for the stunning black and white photo of Surp Stepanos Church.
A few more examples follow:
Altar Panel from Surp Garabed Monastery, 1795
Measuring 69 cm by 51 cm (27 inches by 20 inches), this embroidered altar panel depicts the baptism of Christ by John the Baptist (Surp Garabed) in the Jordan River. Above, God the Father, surrounded by seraphim, looks on approvingly. The Holy Spirit, represented by the dove, is visible in the sky, while rays of sunlight shine. On Christ’s side are two angels, apparently holding his garments.
Christ, and John the Baptist, are depicted with halos around their heads. A staff is in one of John’s hands, while the other rests on Christ’s head.
At the bottom of the panel, the inscription reads: This (embroidery) is dedicated to Saint Garabed (monastery) from Parsegh hadji Sareoghlou , 1795
This masterpiece of Western Armenian art was initially published in “Tapis et Textiles Armeniens” by Haroutiun Kevorkian and Berdj Achdjian in Marseille, 1991. The panel was also prominently featured in the exhibit Armenian Rugs and Textiles in Vienna, 2014 at the Palais Sans Soucis, and featured in the Catalogue of the Exhibition (Plate 25).
I am extremely grateful to Berdj Achdjian for allowing me to use these photographs. This treasure is from his collection. For other items in his collection (not Efkere-related) please see: https://youtu.be/A6N-JJQCzww
Collection: Berdj Achdjian
Early 19th Century Chalice Cover from Surp Garabed Monastery
Measuring approximately 3 ft across, this remarkable chalice cover is from the monastery in Efkere. There were actually two chapels within the monastery, and it is unknown in which of the two chapels this was used.
Silk, silver and gold thread, with sequins.
In the Armenian Church, the chalice is used for the sacrament of communion, and the embroidered linen which traditionally covers the chalice is known as the dzadzgots. It symbolizes the hidden mystery of the sacrament of Communion.
Armenian text: Յիշատակէ խազէզ Գրիգորի որդի Յարութիւնին, որ ետ Ղայսերի դդուռն Սբ Կարապետ եկեղեցւոյ։
Transliteration: Hishatake khazez Grigori vordi Harutyunin, vor yet Ghayseri ddurn Sb Karapet yekeghetsu.
Translation: In memory of (khazez) Krikor’s son Harutyun, who (ddurn) back to Kayseri at St. Garabed church.
Collection: Dr. Jonathan Varjabedian
1734 Communion Chalice from Surp Garabed Monastery
Stunning silver repousse covered in gold, this chalice is clearly the work of a Kayseri artisan. Lengthy inscription at the top of the chalice, and at the base. Full translation will be provided in the coming weeks, but the inscription at the top clearly indicates that it is presented in memory of an Efkeretzi to Saint Garabed, and provides the date of 1734.
10 inches tall, 6 inches at base
Collection: Dr. Jonathan Varjabedian
1818 copper dish from Surp Garabed Monastery
Measuring approximately 7 1/2 inches across, and 1 1/2 inches high, this copper dish was plated with tin. It bears an inscription around the perimeter, which states that “This piece is given as a gift in memory of Medz Aga’yi to the St. Garabed Monastery in Kayseri, 1266”
The year 1266 in the Armenian church calendar corresponds to the year 1818.
Collection: Dr. Jonathan Varjabedian
1834 Tinned Copper Dish from Surp Garabed Monastery
Similar in form to the dish above, this tinned copper plate/dish appears to bear the date: ՌՄՁԲ, which uses Armenian letters to represent the year. Here, the date is 1282, which is likely the Armenian Church calendar year. This would correspond to a date of 1834 in the Gregorian calendar
From the collection of Selcuk Guzeloglu, and photos used with his kind permission.
1786 Tinned Copper Dish from Surp Stepanos Church
Measuring approximately 7 1/2 inches across, and 1 1/2 inches deep, this tinned copper dish bears the following inscription in Armenian
Inscriptions on the edge:--"Hishadag'e Evkeru Demirji Vartabedazt'e Surp Isdepanos Yegeghezti' 1235 (in Armenian letters).
The year 1235 in the Armenian Church calendar corresponds to the year 1786.
Translation: in memory of Vartabed Demirji from Efkere, to Surp Stepanos Church, 1786.
Decorated with dotted zig-zag patterns all around the main body, and concentric circles in the center.
A truly remarkable artifact, especially when one considers that the Surp Stepanos church that is currently in ruins in Efkere dates from the 1860s. This dish is from the earlier building, located at the same location in Efkere.
Collection: Dr. Jonathan Varjabedian
1911 Mardiros Essayan Saddlebag
This gorgeous saddlebag represents one of only 2 textiles that I am aware of with the word “Efkere”, or a variant of that spelling, inscribed in it.
The bold Armenian inscriptions on this rug are: “MARDIROS ESSAYAN” and, on the opposite panel “(1911) EFKERE”.
Both of the inscribed panels appear to have a stylized lion. The symbolism is unclear. Perhaps they represent courage and strength. Perhaps they are included because the lion, and the eagle, are ancient Armenian symbols. Or, perhaps, they have religious symbolism, as lions can represent Christ as king, as well as Christ’s resurrection.
Dimensions: 18” by 50”
Collection: Dr. Jonathan Varjabedian
Detail of the Essayan saddlebag. Mardiros Essayan
Detail of the Essayan saddlebag. 1911 Efkere
Photographer: Artyom Tonoyan. Exhibit: Treasures of Memory and Hope. www.memoryandhope.org
Parnak and Garabed Kapousouzian (Paulian) Scissors
Parnak and Garabed Kapousouzian were blacksmiths and scissor makers in Efkere. . Parnak would come to the United States in 1912, where his surname would change to Paulian. Garabed would never make it the United States, although a letter that he wrote in June, 1912 still survives, and expresses his strong desire to come to America. Perhaps Parnak brought these scissors (which subsequently became damaged) to show prospective employers the type of work he could do. Perhaps they were just a souvenir from home.
The photo is particularly powerful to me, as my grandfather, Garabed Kojaian, apprenticed under the Kapousouzians in Efkere.
Parnak would play an extremely important role in the United States, particularly in his efforts to bring Efkertzis that survived 1915 to America. See the “Efkere In America” page of this website.
A letter from Garabed Kinaian (Kina Garabed) to Garabed Kojaian, February 11, 1913
Haroutiun and Garabed Kojaian Letters
Garabed Kojaian would arrive in the United States from Efkere in 1912, at the age of 18. His father, Haroutiun, would arrive one year later, at the age of 50. Between 1912 and 1915, they received scores of letters from family and friends in Efkere. They were almost all written exclusively in Armeno-Turkish, in which Armenian letters are used to spell Turkish words. There are a few passages in the now extinct Armenian dialect of Efkere.
Fortunately, the letters survived, and have now been published, providing not only an amazing look at village life in Efkere during these pivotal years, but also providing perhaps the only surviving examples of the Armenian dialect of Efkere.
The Orphans of Efkere / From the Garabed Kojaian Papers
In 1916, Efkeretzi men living in Detroit formed a compatriotic organization called “The Orphans of Efkere”. This was a benevolent organization that raised funds to aid and assist Efkeretzis in need. Shown below is a small booklet that was printed by the organization in 1916. Almost certainly the only surviving copy of this booklet.
A photograph, likely from 1920, shows at least some of the members.
The photograph was originally published in Out of Turkey, by Harry Yessaian. In that book, the gentlemen pictured are identified as:
Seated from left to right: Mr. Dedeian, Minas Kayserian, Vahram Boyajian or Dickran Choukourian, Parnak (Paroug) Paulian, Mamassian or Kalajian and Boyadjian.
Standing, middle row: Varter Sirian, John Solakian, Garabed (Charles) Warterian, Aram Paulian, Karnig (Carl) Bahadurian, Mirijan Bahadurian, Yervant Bahadurian.
Standing, back row: Boghos Stepanian, Parsegh Sinamian, Mike Shahbazian, Charles Shahbazian, Garabed (Charles) Kojaian, Onnig
Near East Relief Identification Card
The monastery in Efkere (Surp Garabed Vank), would become an orphanage at one point. I am grateful to Salpy Talian for allowing me to use this photograph of her grandfather’s identification card, issued by Near East Relief.
As can be seen, Kasbar Sildirian was born is Caesarea (Kayseri) in 1913. It would appear that he was first housed at the orphanage in Efkere, and then moved to an orphanage in Antelias, from which he was discharged.
It is difficult to establish a firm timeline for this monastery orphanage in Efkere. There is a small article in “The Acorne”, a publication of Near East Relief, that repots that “The Armenian Committee in charge of the large orphanages in Caesarea is planning to move the orphanage to the large monastery at Evkere.” The orphanage at the monastery was definitely in existence in 1898 (documentation exists confirming this), and May date back further than that.
I have not been able to find any documentation as to when it ceased to function as an orphanage.