From Simon Sako Simonian, an Armenian man, on behalf of his father, Nerses, and grandparents, Johnny and Golanbar:“My Grandfather, Johnny, and my Grandmother, Golanbar, lived in Orumieh, a city in Iran close to the Turkish border. They had been blessed with four children (one of them named Nerses, my Father). My Grandfather was a well-educated and knowledgeable person. He was fluent in more than 12 languages, as well as one of the few people at that time who was able to properly and accurately translate and describe the Bible. He was a respected man - a religious man devoted to God. He was so highly respected that whenever the Consul of the U.S. would go there, he would always request to meet with my Grandfather.

During the Armenian Genocide, the Shah (King) of Iran was a very weak person; therefore the Turks were able to enter Iran and do the mass killing and elimination of Armenians and Christians in that area.

One day, during the dark years of the Armenian Genocide, a group of Turkish soldiers knocked my Grandfather’s door. One of the Turkish soldiers told my Grandfather that they were going to kill him and that he should speak now or never if he had any requests. My Grandfather said that his only wish is for them to let him pray just one more time. He was allowed to step forward to the courtyard for his prayer. As soon as he raised his hands towards the sky to God to start his prayer, he was shot and killed from behind.

He was shot and killed from behind, without a single word of prayer being spoken from his lips. They also killed my Grandmother.

The four children, one of them being Nerses, were hiding. When this occurred, they fled out and joined the crowd in the street running away as fast as they could. All four children ranged anywhere from 10 to 16 years old. During this time, my father, Nerses, caught a severe cold since he was out in the cold for 20 to 25 days. Orumieh is cold, especially during the time of this occurrence. However, my father was soon taken in and cared for by the Presbyterian Church in Iran, where he was cared for a few years.

Sadly, he was still not feeling well, and soon developed a kidney malfunction. In 1929, regardless of his fragile state, he married Sophia, the love of his life in Masjed Suleiman, which is a city located in the southwest region of Iran.

My father passed away at the young age of 38, when I was only two years old. He left behind his written testimony - his terrifying and heartbreaking memories of the Armenian Genocide. This is why I can share all this with you today.”