The first service after the restoration of the Armenian Forty Martyrs Cathedral in Aleppo will be held in March-April, RIA Novosti reports.

The church was destroyed by the Islamic State militants in April 2015, they laid explosives in tunnels dug under the foundations.

According to engineer Garbis Tamassian, the scope of work was enormous.

“The corridor was completely destroyed, we had to rebuild it. We collected and used the old stones that were preserved. It was the most difficult part. Some 70% of the building was in ruins," said Tamassian.

New doors and windows have already been installed in the building, benches are being delivered, the facade is fully restored, finishing work is nearing completion.

The restoration of the Forty Martyrs Church is financed by the Armenian community of Aleppo. At least 150 thousand people contributed to the restoration of the shrine. The first service in the temple will most probably be held in late March - early April.

Before the war, about a quarter of a million Christians lived in Aleppo, which was home to at least 45 active churches. To date, about half of them have been destroyed and are waiting for their turn for restoration. During the war, militants of many terrorist groups destroyed Christian monasteries, cathedrals and temples throughout the country, looting and desecrating Christian shrines.