A mass was held on Tuesday at St. Sarkis Church for the Armenian Orthodox in Damascus on the occasion of Christmas as observed by the Eastern Orthodox liturgical calendar.
Presiding upon the ceremony, Bishop Armash Nalbandian, primate of the Armenian Church of Damascus, delivered the Christmas sermon which included the New Year’s message of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.
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Mor Ignatius Aphrem II Patriarch of Antioch and all the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church participated in the mass along with a number of heads and representatives of Christian denominations.
Bishop Nalbandian called upon believers all over the world to follow the values of Jesus, the messenger of peace and love, in spreading justice and peace.
He condemned the heinous practices committed by terrorist organizations in Syria, stressing that the fraternity and awareness of the Syrian people guarantee the country’s steadfastness in the face of all conspiracies.
Prayers and masses were also held in churches in Aleppo and Hasaka, with heads of Christian denominations stressing the unity of the Syrian people and asking God to protect Syria’s leadership and army, and to restore the security and stability in the country.