The Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem issued a statement on Tuesday calling on the international community to immediately focus its attention on the protection and preservation of all Christians in Syria.
The statement warns that with the escalation of violence, Armenians living in Syria are facing new threats to their lives, as well as the vast Armenian heritage throughout the country.
“As we stand witness to the ongoing turmoil and devastating conflict in Syria, our hearts are filled with deep sorrow and concern for all who are suffering. We, in particular, are moved by the plight of our Armenian Christian brothers and sisters who have lived for generations in this land, a place they sought refuge after the horrific Armenian genocide of 1915,” said the statement.
“Syria has been home to many of the survivors and their descendants, and their presence there is a testament to the resilience and faith of the Armenian Christian,” the statement added.
“Today, the safety and security of all Christian Communities in Syria are threatened once again by the violence and chaos that regrettably plagues this region. We raise our voices not only for the protection of all innocent lives, but especially for the Armenians who remain a living remnant of a people who endured the first genocide of the 20th century. They are not simply an ethnic group or a community of believers; they are a sacred witness to survival, perseverance, and the continued struggle for dignity in the face of genocidal persecution,” the Patriarchate said.
“The Armenians in Syria, many of whom reside in the cities of Aleppo, Damascus, and elsewhere, have already endured so much. They have rebuilt their lives after the Genocide, established vibrant communities, and contributed richly to the social, cultural, and spiritual fabric of Syria. Yet, they now face a renewed threat to their lives and heritage. Their churches, schools, and homes have been caught in the crossfire of an ongoing civil war, and the fear of further displacement looms once again,” the statement added.
“We call upon the international community—governments, religious organizations, humanitarian bodies, and individuals—to urgently focus attention on the protection and preservation of all Christians in Syria. These communities are not just ethnic minorities; they are a vital part of the Christian presence in the larger Middle East, a presence that has endured for centuries. The security of our Christian brothers and sisters in Syria must not be overlooked or treated as a secondary concern in the midst of political shifts in the region,” the Jerusalem Patriarchate said.
“We pray for the day when all minority Christians, regardless of their denomination, can live in their communities in harmony and security, without the threat of religious persecution,” the statement added.
