Catholicos Aram I at the entrance of the Forty Martyrs Church in Aleppo on March 30

Visits Armenian Humanitarian Mission Stationed in Aleppo

ALEPPO, Syria—His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia on Saturday re-consecrated Aleppo’s Forty Martyrs Armenian Cathedral, which was severely damaged during the Syrian war.

Saying the anointing of the church had historical and symbolic significance, Aram I attributed the rebuilding of the church to Armenians’ will to survive and fight injustice.

“Others tried to kill the belief in our people, but we jointly said that no one can defeat us in our belief. We said no to injustice and struggled and have to struggle for justice,” said Catholicos Aram I.

Community members welcome Catholicos Aram I to the Forty Martyrs Church in Aleppo.

“Others committed Genocide against our people, but they did not succeed. Today our people have been resurrected. Today we have free and independent Armenia, even if it is on the small part of our historical Homeland. But we have to aspire for seeing Armenia in the way we dream,” added Aram I.

He urged all Armenians to support the efforts to restore and revitalize the Syrian-Armenian community under the auspices of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia.

Catholicos Aram I with the members of Armenia’s humanitarian mission to Syria, stationed in Aleppo

The Forty Martyrs Church in Aleppo, which was severely damaged as a result of bombing by forces loyal to ISIS, was restored through the efforts of the Syrian-Armenian community. According to official figures, some 150,000 people contributed to the restoration effort.

While in Aleppo, Catholicos Aram I on Monday also visited the members of the humanitarian mission from Armenia, dispatched in February by the Armenian government to help local officials clear mines and provide medical and other assistance to the locals.