Armenian Orthodox Church Celebrates Christmas

DAMASCUS/ALEPPO, (ST) –Armenian Orthodox Church in Syria which follows the eastern calendar, celebrated Christmas on Sunday .

Headed by Bishop Armash Nalbandian and  accompanied by a number of clergymen,

adivine mass was held at Mar Sarkis Church for Armenian Orthodox in Damascus.

The Bishop  made it clear that “Syria is the heart of the Arab nation and the cradle of divine messages and  the old roots of national unity in the Syrian’s early history” .

Meanwhile masses were held in Syrian provinces celebrating the new year . During the masses, sermons clarified that Syria will be victorious in the face of foreign attacks funded by some Arab States.

Archbishop Sarkissian Stresses Importance of Dialogue for Resolving Crisis in Syria

Head of the Armenian Orthodox community in Aleppo, Archbishop Shahan Sarkissian, affirmed the importance of dialogue between all Syrians in a bid  to reach a solution for the crisis in Syria.

Receiving greeters on occasion of Christmas as observed in the Eastern calendar, Archbishop Sarkissian prayed for peace in Syria and for Almighty God to preserve the country and its leader ,and have mercy on the souls of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the sake of the homeland.

For his part, head of the Armenian Protestant sect in Syria, Pastor Haroun Sleiman, wished for stability, good and love to prevail among Syrians and prayed for God to bless Syria and grant it victory over its enemies.

For their part, believers stressed that Christmas is a symbol of love and peace, underlining the active role of Christians in Syrian society.

They voiced hope for a new future of peace in Syria, stressing that all Syrians are as one and that religions call for love and peace, not murder and terrorism.

M.D