23/09/2014 17:42
Aram I condemns terror act against Armenian Church in Deir ez-Zor
Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia Aram I who is on a Pontifical visit to Greece has condemned the September 21 explosion of the Holy Martyrs Armenian Church in Deir ez-Zor, Syria, the Catholicosate said.
Catholicos Aram I had learned that the explosion of the Church dedicated to the memory of the Armenian Genocide victims as well as of the museum and complex at the Church was a planned crime.
“We believe that this crime committed ahead of the Armenian Genocide Centennial and on Armenia’s Independence Day is an act of barbarism. Those behind this crime must know that it is impossible to erase the sacred place in Deir ez-Zor from our people’s memory as it symbolizes the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide and our people’s struggle for justice,” Aram I said.
During his Pontifical visit to Greece, Aram I also met with Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and Archbishop Ieronymos II. Concern over the explosion of the Holy Martyrs Armenian Church was expressed at the meeting.
Catholicos Aram I urged state, political and religious figures to strictly condemn the crime.