Several events dedicated to the 102^nd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide were held in Damascus on 23 and 24 April, reported the Department of Press, Information and Public Relations of the RA Ministry of Diaspora, adding the following: “On April 23, a lecture and discussion devoted to the Armenian Genocide were held during an event commemorating the 102^nd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in the yard of the St. Sargis Armenian Apostolic Church (Prelacy) in Damascus.

On April 24, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to Syria Arshak Poladyan; Deputy of the Syrian People’s Assembly, President of the Syria-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group Nora Arisian; Primate of the Armenian Catholic Diocese of Damascus, Bishop Hovsep Arnautian; leaders and delegates of the Christian churches in Damascus and leaders of Armenian community organizations attended a Holy Mass commemorating the victims of the Armenian Genocide and served by Primate of the Diocese of Damascus, Archbishop Armash Nalbandian. After the Holy Mass, an intercession for the Holy Martyrs was performed in front of the Armenian Genocide monument located in the yard of the St. Sargis Church.

On the same day, an event was hosted at the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Syria. Addressing the attendees, Ambassador Poladyan noted that the Armenian nation keep the memory of the 1.5 million victims alive even after more than 100 years. The Ambassador also emphasized the importance of the unity and consolidation of the Armenian community in the serious military and political situation in Syria, as well as the unity of Armenia, Artsakh and the Diaspora.

On the evening of April 24, Primate of the Armenian Catholic Diocese in Damascus, Bishop Hovsep Arnautian served a Holy Mass and said a prayer at the Taguhi Tiezeryats Armenian Catholic Church in Damascus. Afterwards, the Armenian Hall of the Armenian Catholics hosted an event entitled “Commemoration of the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide” and held with the participation of representatives of the Armenian national unions, societies and associations in Damascus. The event featured a lecture by former leader of the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Cyprus, Archbishop Varoujan Hergelian.”