Today, on January 14, Syrian-Armenians residing in Armenia celebrated the Old New Year at the Prelacy of the Araratian Patriarchal Diocese (APD) with the blessing of Vicar of the Prelacy of the APD, His Grace, Father, Archbishop Navasard Ktchoyan. Vicar of the Prelacy of the APD, His Grace, Father, Archbishop Navasard Ktchoyan congratulated the members of the Syrian-Armenia community and wished them peace and success in the year 2016.

In an interview with NEWS.am, Zaruhi Hamalian, who moved from Aleppo to Armenia with his family two years ago, mentioned that the event served as an opportunity to bring the Syrian-Armenians of Armenia together and entertain Syrian-Armenian children.

“In Aleppo, we would set a big table and celebrate the New Year and Christmas with family and relatives. With a Christmas tree, faith and hope, we would ask the Lord to be healthy and successful. But due to the crisis in our city, we all migrated and were received with open arms here. Today, we wanted to gather and celebrate the New Year together. We’re doing fine. We’re happy and calm, but we wish everything was fine in Syria and we could return home,” Zaruhi Hamalian said.

During the event, Santa Claus gave gifts to the Syrian-Armenian children.

Let us mention that it has already been a couple of years since the Syrian-Armenians residing in Armenia established their new community at the Zoravor Surp Astvatsatsin Church of the Araratian Patriarchal Diocese with the blessing of Vicar of the Prelacy of the APD, His Grace, Father, Archbishop Navasard Ktchoyan. They preserve their customs, celebrate all holidays and participate in pilgrimages and the sermons that are organized for them in Western Armenian.