The Bible calls true believers “soldiers”, fighting an ongoing battle in this world of darkness. We are vying for a Kingdom, in a war to uphold the honor of our Commander and rescue as many ‘captives’ from Satan’s clutches as possible. We are mandated to “put on the amor of God” and above all and through all, “to stand”. In fact, Jesus said, “He who endures to the end will be saved.”
But, to our discredit, soldiers of worldly campaigns and wars outshine Christians with their commitment, sacrifice, zeal and diligence even though their victory lies this temporal realm. The Old Testament, replete with the battles and wars of God’s people, is foundational to the precepts of spiritual war in the New Covenant under Jesus Christ. Allegiance, sacrifice, diligence and enduring love must mark the soul of believers. Complacency and ‘lukewarmness’ are the marks of AWOL Christians whom, as Jesus threatens in Revelation 3:16, will be judged.
The Lord calls us into the battle and, in everyway, leads us and teaches us how to wrestle, fight, and win. “Praise be to the Lord, my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.”
However, there is still value in studying the heroes of this world, acknowledging the bravery and sacrifice. While there are great many leaders and soldiers that stand upon the pedestals of history, there is one unknown to most that I keep framed before me.
Haroutiun Sarmanian, 1894-1977.
My grandfather left Marash Turkey, in 1911 at the age of 16, to seek a better life for himself and those he left behind. He found a vibrant Armenian community in Watertown MA and began working as a barber. Soon after he was able to open his own barbershop and, with a pool room in back, worked 6am to midnight to prosper and support his family overseas.
Then the bloodshed of strategic genocide began, April 14, 1915, and soon lead to the devastation of his homeland Marash.
Few folks, even Armenians, know of the French Foreign Legion’s campaign in Armenia, 1918. Within the complicated politics of WWI, the French Army moved into Cilicia, to capture and liberate the region from Turkish occupation. Marash, a major Armenian city therein, was destroyed, its inhabitants massacred. A call was proclaimed to surviving Armenians and those abroad to join in the battle to reclaim Turkish held Cilicia. Thousands of surviving Armenians who were exiled fled back, including 20,000 from Marash. They joined the French as the French Armenian Legion.
From Watertown MA, Haroutiun Sarmanian immediately answered this call to “wrest Cilicia from the Turks”. In 1918, with 20 American gold coins, he boarded a ship back to Turkey. His treacherous journey with 1175 others, led to France and then forward to the Mediterranean, was fraught danger even as their ship struck a mine and left the survivors in the ocean for hours until rescued by French and British ships. Other fighters died of malaria. Haroutiun Sarmanian survived the journey; the French sent part of this fighting group to Adana, the other part to Marash.
However, the French occupation and Armenian fervor for justice and freedom came to a bitter end when, in January 1920, the French military received orders to immediately evacuate the region. In the dead of night, even covering the hooves of their horses with cloth, the French evacuated and left the Armenians. Those who had returned to their homeland after the genocide, to recover their land and home, were abandoned to be slaughtered. Thousands of civilians fled to churches and schools but perished as they were locked in and set aflame by the Turks.
A story of great valor, deep betrayal, and heartbreaking defeat. So why tell it? Why keep the photo in daily view?
My grandfather returned to Watertown MA and reestablished his life, worked diligently to raise a family and contribute to the community. But the photo reveals his heart and soul.
When the call came to defend his homeland, fight for the hope of repatriation and reclaim what was devastated, he left all his gain and traveled weeks by sea, to reach a land of bloodshed and anguish. Brave and selfless, sacrificial and zealous, Haroutuin Sarmanian had hope of victory in a land of utter death and destruction.
Our call to battle goes beyond this physical realm and calls for no less. We have a ‘Commander in Chief’ to Whom we must give total allegiance and honor. He will never forsake us and in that truth we’re called to bravery, “Fear not!”. As our Forerunner in triumph, he mandates us, “Pick up your cross and follow Me”. Like my grandfather, we may have to leave behind worldly gains, abandoning plans and ambitions for an uncharted course. While all are called to fight, some will face unbearable suffering and martyrdom.
Winning may look like losing in the Christian faith. But as God pronounced victory through a suffering Servant, through the death of His Son, our obedience in the battle and in suffering hold eternal value and reward. Unlike the wars of this world, the victory for us is already won. Jesus is Victor! Our call as His soldiers is to bravely obey Him in all His directives and acknowledge that “our lives are not our own”. While I may surely be one of His weakest soldiers, I pray for a willing heart to hear and obey the Lord’s call, to sacrifice and go where He leads, and fight with a living faith that will honor our Sovereign God and count for eternity.
theburninglampdotcom 
Onward Christian soldier! Thank you for sharing your heart with us Lisa. I know this wasn’t easy for you to write. I am amazed by the heart of the human condition. It amazes me the hearts of the wicked yet the hearts of those who have faced tragedy and have overcome humble. Thank you again for sharing this VERY personal story. Lots of love, hugs and blessings to you, Bob, your mom and Starry.
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Thank you so much Mandy. It wasn’t easy to write. My grandparents never spoke about the massacres and death march they experienced. It was too painful.
Imaging their suffering is hard, even as Artsakh remains under siege. But God is faithful and just.
Thank you again sister, you are always a cup of cool water to my soul.
Hugs to you, Nathan, and PQ too!! ❤
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Lisa Beth, thank you for telling us about your brave grandfather and the persecution (and betrayal) of the Armenian people that continues. Yes, the world’s institutions disappoint. The only leader who is righteous and worthy is the Lord, Jesus Christ.
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Amen Tom, so grateful for our faithful Savior and His coming Kingdom. Thank you for your comments and understanding, it means a lot.
Have a good weekend brother.
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Thanks, Lisa Beth, and have a good weekend, too!
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Never knew about the French FOreign Legion and Armenia!
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Yes, according to my grandfather and historical documents, the goal of the Legionnaires was to liberate Cilicia and return it to the Armenians, but that never happened. My family reports that it was the French Army, not the legionnares, that evacuated and betrayed the Armenians.
In any case, so much heartache for a people to endure.
Good to hear from you Pastor.
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Wow this is a lot of history that is little known
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Yes indeed!
Thank God, nothing is hidden gmfrom His sight. We can count on Him for justice.
“The Avenger of bloodshed remembers”
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Amen will be a bit slower next couple of days on wordpress given driving cross country; if you can pray for traveling mercy
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I’ll be praying for you Pastor, may the Lord lead you through every mile.
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Aww thank you
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Oh Lisa Beth my friend, I have always been astounded by the bravery and sacrifice of these heroes, how they lay down their love for their country, and like you said, our suffering hold eternal value and reward. I can’t wait to see all my fellow heroes and especially to my main hero, my beautiful Lord and Savior. And what a hero your grandpa was. Love you sister.❤️
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Thank you so much Eve. I truly share your high esteem for our brave heroes, so many known only by God.
I agree, what a glorious day to meet them all, esp the Commander in Chief and King! Love and hugs to you sister! 🤗
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Meant “lay down their life.”
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Great article I will pass it along
My husbands whole family are from Marash and my ancestors are from adana
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Wow, thank you Ani for sharing that. It’s so good to hear from you.
I hope all is well with you sister.
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Lisa, Thanks for sharing your grandfather’s story, and more about Armenian history. I learn so much reading your blogs. I also learn what being a soldier in God’s army from you.
Loved how you tagged Terri’s blog at the end.
Pray you and Bob are doing well.
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Hi Mary! Bob and I think of you often and hope you are well. Thank you for always encouraging! Stay in touch sister, we love you.
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I read your post 2 weeks ago but did not have much time to leave a response. I just went back to school in community college 4 weeks ago to take classes in journalism. So I have been very busy with my new classes and not much time for WordPress. I enjoyed reading about your grandfather. We are soldiers in God’s Army , Yes. And we do not fight against flesh or blood. We are in spiritual warfare. Great Post
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Thank you brother, its always good to hear from you! Very happy for you and your classes, the Lord will use all your gifts and talents, through Him they’ll count in eternity.
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Thanks a lot dear sister for sharing such an inspiring post to be with the Lord even when we are threatened by trials and tribulations. God bless. 🙏
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Hi Lisa Beth! Thank you for sharing your story and describing the lukewarmness and complacency that can affect all of us. The devil is prowling around like a roaring lion trying to devour our faith and our devotion to making disciples. It’s really a life-and-death decision to share our faith with others. I have prayed so often to see the urgency again. God is changing my heart! Thank you for this wonderful and convicting post. Your sister, Terri
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Thank you Terri, its always so good to hear from you, I appreciate your encouraging comments.
I have, written in my Bible, an important quote that I read often: “A true soldier of the cross does not live by their feelings. A true soldier fights when they feel weak and when they feel strong. A true soldier runs the race marked out for them, despite the bumps and bruises they get along the way. A true soldier goes into strict training and adheres to that training, knowing it will create a harvest of righteousness” Terri Nida
So grateful to our Lord for sisters like you that uplift and inspire.
Will be praying for you and looking for your next post! ❤
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“Our lives are not our own”. This verse speaks loudly to me, today. May we never forget this truth. Blessings, Lisa!
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” . . . the victory for us is already won.” Hallelujah. Thank you, Lisa Beth, for this bold call to obedience, to sacrifice, to victory.
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Thank you Kim! 🌺
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Powerful family history there. And great spiritual application.
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Thank you Robert for your encouraging words.
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