Glendale hosts meeting on situation in Syria

PanARMENIAN.Net - More than 600 community members gathered at St. Mary’s Church in Glendale earlier this month to hear the briefing by visiting Prelate of Aleppo Archbishop Shahan Sarkissian, on the latest developments in Syria and the devastating conditions of Armenian community in that country, Asbarez reports.

The forum was held under the auspices of the leaders of the Armenian Apostolic, Catholic, and Evangelical Churches. It was organized jointly by the Syrian Armenian Relief Fund (SARF) and the Alumni Associations of Syrian-Armenian Schools.

The evening began with welcoming remarks by Master of Ceremonies Knar Kortoshian, who highlighted the role of the Armenian communities in Syria before and especially after the Genocide “as the bastion of our national identity, the cradle of our rebirth, like a mighty oak tree whose branches spread across the Diaspora and contributed to the formation of communities worldwide.”

Videos were shown to give attendees a first-hand view on the situation in Syria. The first of these focused on the Armenian neighborhoods in Aleppo.

Archbishop Shahan Sarkissian focused his address on the needs of Armenian Schools in Syria. On behalf of his community, the Prelate expressed gratitude to all the organizations and individuals who have contributed to the relief efforts thus far, stating that “the people appreciate and praise God for all that is provided.”

What concerns them most, he said, is not physical nourishment, rather the intellectual nourishment of the youth.

The program concluded with the message of Western Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, who welcomed Archbishop Sarkissian, commended the event organizers and attendees and the dedication of SARF and all those who have lent their valuable support over the past few years. He urged the continuance of support, especially for the Schools and students, who are in most dire need.