Introduction by Rouben Adalian, Ph.D.
The Musa Dagh resistance to the Armenian Genocide in 1915 attained epic proportions by virtue of its heroics, the involvement of the French Mediterranean Navy, the contemporaneous international press coverage, and eventually the publication of Franz Werfel’s historical novel, The Forty Days of Musa Dagh, which has been translated into some forty languages. Several factors and individuals led to the successful outcome of this unusual episode. One of the leaders was Rev. Dikran Antreasian, a native Evangelical pastor, whose contribution to the survival of his people in 1915 and beyond has not been studied adequately.
This lecture will deal with the following phases of his meritorious life. First, he served as the Chairman of the General Administrative Body, which oversaw both the civilian and military aspects of the fights. Second, he conceived the idea of preparing a Red Cross flag and a second banner inscribed “Christians in Distress—Rescue” to draw the attention of Allied warships cruising in the Eastern Mediterranean. Third, he composed a letter in English addressed to the governments of the Allies and their military explaining the Musa Dagh predicament and asking for help. Fourth, as the people were rescued and settled in a refugee camp near Port Said, Egypt, he delivered a lecture at the American Mission in Cairo, which was translated into English, sent to the United States and elsewhere as a booklet, and generated significant funds for the refugees. Fifth, he served as the camp's Evangelical pastor, seeking not only the physical safety of his compatriots but also their spiritual salvation. Sixth, after repatriating to Musa Dagh at the end of World War I, he solicited money and alimentation for the subsistence of his endangered people from the American Near East Relief and the British Friends of Armenia Society, headquartered in London. Seventh, in 1935, he published a revised edition of his participant observer account of the resistance. This book is considered the most objective and balanced rendition of what had transpired in 1915.
Despite Rev. Antreasian’s selfless devotion to the survival of his compatriots in various leading capacities, he was forsaken for decades due to fierce rivalry among Armenian political parties vying for ownership of the successful outcome of the Musa Dagh resistance. With the passage of time, he was “rehabilitated” with public displays of acknowledgement of his significant role in the rescue and revival of Musa Dagh Armenians. However, he still needs to be elevated to a higher consciousness and find his place in the general history of the Armenian nation.