Easter in Syria

“Easter is supposed to be tomorrow, but it doesn’t feel like Easter. Before even thinking what shoes to wear, they lost their feet. They lost their little hands that used to color the Easter eggs every year before the bloody mortars came knocking at their school gate. Why? Just because they decided to go to school that day,” said Ghattas Eid from Maaloula, about the bombing of the Armenian Catholic School on April 15 in Damascus. “They could’ve been my children or anyone else’s children. It is just a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Happy Easter? I don’t think so.”

Easter in Aleppo
Easter in Aleppo

In the most difficult of circumstances, Armenians celebrated Easter across the different cities of Syria. After three years of hell in Syria, they continue to embrace their cultural identity and retain their faith.

Thousands gather for Easter Sunday Mass at St. Asdvadzadzin in Aleppo.
Thousands gather for Easter Sunday Mass at St. Asdvadzadzin in Aleppo.
Syrian Armenians at the St. Astvadzadzin Church Hall in Aleppo.
Syrian Armenians at the St. Astvadzadzin Church Hall in Aleppo.
Sunday School children of the Armenian Evangelical Martyrs' Church (Nahadagatz) in Aleppo
Sunday School children of the Armenian Evangelical Martyrs’ Church (Nahadagatz) in Aleppo
Who will win the egg tapping?
Who will win the egg tapping?
We are all winners when we are united!
We are all winners when we are united!
At Easter Sunday Mass, Rev. Haroutioun Selimian honors the consul general of the Republic of Armenia, Garen Krikorian with a Silver Plate at the Armenian Evangelical Bethel Church of Aleppo. (See www.youtube.com/watch?v=MI48LbBI2bE&feature=share)
At Easter Sunday Mass, Rev. Haroutioun Selimian honors the consul general of the Republic of Armenia, Garen Krikorian with a Silver Plate at the Armenian Evangelical Bethel Church of Aleppo. (See www.youtube.com/watch?v=MI48LbBI2bE&feature=share)
Easter Sunday Mass at St. Hagop Church in Qamishli
Easter Sunday Mass at St. Hagop Church in Qamishli
Hundreds gather at St. Hagop Church in Qamishli to celebrate Easter.
Hundreds gather at St. Hagop Church in Qamishli to celebrate Easter.
Easter Sunday Mass in Latakia. The president of Haigazian University, Rev. Paul Haidotsian, visits the displaced of Kessab in Latakia.
Easter Sunday Mass in Latakia. The president of Haigazian University, Rev. Paul Haidotsian, visits the displaced of Kessab in Latakia.
Hundreds gather to hear Rev. Paul Haidotsian’s sermon during Easter Sunday Mass.
Hundreds gather to hear Rev. Paul Haidotsian’s sermon during Easter Sunday Mass.

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