Hemshin in Russia

Introduction / History

The Hemshin’s ancestors migrated many times from Turkey until settling in Kyrgyzstan and Russia. Others remain in Turkey. The belonged as a branch of the Hemshin people from Turkey’s Hamshen region, located along the northeastern coast of the Black Sea. Their Christian Armenian ancestors converted to Islam in the 1890s through 1920 to save themselves from death at the hands of the Ottoman Turks. Researchers report that although the Hemshins are ethnic Armenians, many world citizens identify them as Muslim Turks due to their statelessness, language and Islamic religion. Religion and language are the primary differences between them and the more numerous Armenians. In Russia, many speak the Homshetsi dialect of Western Armenian, though some still use Turkish, while many have learned Russian too.

Those in Russia were re-settled during Soviet days for various reasons under Stalin’s policies. These migrations occurred due to political upheaval, economic pressures, or ethnic resettlement programs rather than a voluntary choice. Forced migrations have led them to feel unwelcome and stateless even to this day.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The traditional occupations include cultivating citrus, tea, and maize, raising livestock and fishing. Today, they still farm and hold modest jobs, sometimes in the cities where they mostly blend into the broader population. However, Hemshin migrants often do not know about the legal procedures required to leave the country, causing many to end up unregistered. Even those who do know face repeated blocking from local authorities. Without proper registration, undocumented migrants often allow for underpayment, no social guarantees and bad treatment by employers. Armenia has pushed for Russia to step in and help, but to no avail.

The Hemshin are known for their clever jokes, riddles, and stories. Although they maintain some distinct cultural traditions, such as their language and cuisine, Soviet influences softened their unique identity.

What Are Their Beliefs?

A great number of the Hemshin people in Russia follow the Hanafi school of Sunni Islam, due to their Ottoman-influenced roots and which dominates the region. These people depend upon good works and obedience to the ways of Islam to pay the penalty for the

What Are Their Needs?

Full Bible resources exist in the Turkish and Armenian languages. Workers who appreciate their historical identity and traditions could become Christ’s ambassadors to the Hemshins.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to call thousands of Hemshins to himself.
Pray that teachers will be sent to help them become firmly established in the truth of scripture and will help them learn to walk in the power of the Lord's Spirit.
Pray the Hemshin people will increasingly be drawn to Jesus (whom Muslims call Isa al-Masih), and that they will be prompted to seek the only true savior.
Pray for the Lord to visit them in dreams and visions.

Text Source:   Joshua Project