The story of Ter Karapet Hemshintsi is one of the many heroic stories about the struggle of the Hemshin people to protect their Armenian identity.

In the beginning of the 18th century, a large number of Hemshin families were living in Karadere Valley (Arakli region in Trabzon). They had their schools and Churches in the high villages (Yaylas) of the valley. They were known to be very courageous, proud and hard working people.

In the same area, Muslim Turks lived side by side with their neighboring Hemshintsis. There was mutual respect between the 2 people.Ter Karapet was the highest ranking priest in Karadere Valley and used to live in Torosli Village (now Kayaici in Trabzon province). He was a tall strong man in his 50s with white hair and blue eyes; he used to wear a long black gown and carry a thick stick.
Ter Karapet used to tour the Hemshin villages and was loved and highly respected by all even by some of the neighboring Turkish villagers.

In Surmene, there was a fanatic religious person called Mullah Mehmet Raufoglu who had vowed to convert all the Pontus People (Hemshin, Greek and Laz) to Muslim Turks and force them to forget their original identity, language, culture and religion.

Raufoglu ignored the important verse 2:256 in the Holy Qoran:

{There shall be no compulsion in religion…}

Raufoglu was very furious. He threatened the villagers to ruin their houses if they didn’t convert and didn’t accept him as their Mullah. In every village in Karadere, Raugoflu heard the same answer. He knew that the Hemshin people were loyal to their identity and religion and they were loyal to Ter Karapet.

After a week, Raufoglu sent his men to Torosli to arrest Ter Karapet but the villagers stopped them at the entrance. Raufoglu decided to attack the village with his crowd and large number of soldiers.

It was the Holy Saturday and the Hemshintsis were preparing to celebrate the Easter festivities. The families used to go to the Church and after the prayers they would gather around a large table to have lunch together. After lunch, there was Tulum and Horon

They didn’t know that this was their last Easter…..

Raufoglu surrounded Torosli with his crowd and 850 Turkish soldiers. The villagers were in the Church and Ter Karapet was heading the mass. Ter Karapet went with 5 brave men to the entrance of the village and met Raufoglu from far:

Raufoglu: “We have come to convert the Hemshin people to Islam and convert the Church into Mosque. You will become Turks – our brothers – and I will be the only Mollah of Karadere.”

Ter Karapet: “We were born free and we will remain free. There is nothing that can change our Identity.”

Raufoglu: “Ter Karapet, only by converting you can save your people’s life!”

Ter Karapet: “We were always neighbors and we will remain the same. We respect your people and your religion and you should do the same. Turks are Turks and Hemshintsis are Hemshintsis and nobody should force the other to convert. GOD teaches us to be tolerant and love everybody.
If you believe in God take your people and your soldiers and go in peace…”

Raufoglu: “Infidel Ter Karapet this is your last chance. You have to accept else we will attack, kill your people and ruin the village”

Ter Karapet: The only way you will enter Torosli is by killing me…..

Raufoglu gave the orders….

The soldiers attacked the village and approached the Church where Ter Karapet was standing. There was a sparkle in his eyes and a stick in his hand against their weapons. The old man had great pride and heroic courage.

The soldiers attacked him: one of them hit Ter Karapet’s head with an axe which killed him immediately.  He fell down. The crowd cut off his throat, hands and feet with swords. Blood was all over the door of the Church….

The battle continued and the villagers didn’t surrender. Many women and children were brutally killed by the crowd.

Raufoglu entered the church and ordered to ruin everything in order to convert it to a Mosque. The battle continued. Many were killed while others managed to escape carrying with them some pieces of Ter Karapet’s body.
Later on they managed to bury him in the mountains.

In the coming weeks, the rest of the Karadere villages were attacked and many people were killed. Those who survived were forced into Islam.
All the Churches were converted into mosques.

Ter Karapet represents the soul of the brave and proud Hemshintsis. He gave his life for his people and his land. Because of him and other heroes, the Hemshintsis still exist today on the northern, eastern and southern coasts of the Black Sea.

Ter Karapet Hemshintsi from Torosli will always be remembered.