In an interview in October 2014, former chairman of the Central Department of Iraq, public figure Baruyr Hagopian had said that Armenian cross-stones needed to be placed in all Armenian churches of Iraq ahead of the 100th Genocide. Today, in an interview with “Hayern Aysor”, he affirmed that the cross-stones have already been brought to Iraq and are now in the Erbil city of the autonomous region of Kurdistan. Nine cross-stones and one statue were moved from Armenia to Iraq via Iran.

Baruyr Hagopian mentioned that Iraq’s Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee has decided to place the cross-stones on the 100th Genocide. The cross-stones were made in Yerevan by cross-stone master Varazdat Hambardzumyan.

The cross-stones will be placed in the yards of the St. Karapet and St. Mary Armenian Churches of Baghdad, as well as in the St. Mary Church of Basra, the St. Mary Church of Kirkuk, the St. Nerses Shnorhali Church of Dhok, the St. Vardan Church of Avzruk

and the St. Mary Church of Zakho. Construction of the church in Erbil is not over yet, and that’s why the cross-stone in that church will be placed later. The cross-stone for the Holy Etchmiadzin Church of Mosul will remain in Erbil for now due to the current situation in the city.

An Armenian Genocide monument will be placed in the yard of the St. Gregory the Illuminator Church (Prelacy of Baghdad) and will symbolize the claims of the Armenian people.

Master of cross-stone making Varazdat Hambardzumyan provided us with photos of the cross-stone and the monument with great pleasure. As we mentioned above, the monument symbolizes the claims. Varazdat Hambardzumyan added that the cross placed on the monument has been the weapon for the protection of faith and violated rights for the libertarian people.