Armenian Church brings together Syrian Christian youth

The Armenian Catholic Patriarchate, which is based in Lebanon, recently hosted a gathering of Christian youth in Syria's north-eastern Qamishli region.

The assembly, held July 4th to 6th to celebrate Christian steadfastness in the face of war and "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" (ISIS) violence, brought youth from Qamishli, al-Hasakeh and al-Malikiya together.

Church officials from a number of denominations met with more than 200 youth in an attempt to boost their morale and learn about their experiences.

After returning from Syria, patriarchal vicar Archbishop George Assadourian spoke with Al-Mashareq about the assembly.

Al-Mashareq: What prompted the Armenian Catholic Church to hold an inter-denominational youth day in north-eastern Syria?

Archbishop George Assadourian: Given the presence of a large number of Armenian-Syrian youth who refuse to leave Syria on account of the war, we had to hold an assembly for them, to stand by them during the difficult circumstances they are going through, and to let them know that we are on their side and support their steadfastness.

The objective of the "Youth Day" assembly, held July 4th to 6th in the city of Qamishli, was to pay tribute to the youth for their steadfastness on their land, despite all the dangers that have surrounded them.

It also aimed to encourage them to continue to live their day-to-day lives in faith, and to instill in them hope, love, tolerance and acceptance of others, in the face of confronting extremism and terrorist ideology.

Al-Mashareq: What was the nature of the gathering, and who were the participants?

Assadourian: Although the Lebanon-based Armenian Catholic Patriarchate organised the assembly, it did not have a sectarian or denominational character.

It brought together youth of all Christian denominations from all parts of Syria, particularly the north-eastern cities of Qamishli and al-Malikiya.

More than 200 youth attended to affirm their attachment to Syria, the Christian presence in that area, and the importance of their constructive role in the near future, when the war in Syria comes to an end.

Most of these youth are university students who are involved in humanitarian work and help the needy stay on their land and in their Syrian homes.

Al-Mashareq: What were the key topics of discussion?

Assadourian: All the topics that we presented for discussion focused on the need for Christians to stay where they are and to activate their humanitarian work for the benefit of all. We gave them a dose of hope to remain steadfast in the heart of a region beset by conflict and surrounded by wars.

We also focused on how to fight extremism and terrorism with open and tolerant thought.

Al-Mashareq: What type of concerns did the young people express?

Assadourian: They undoubtedly have many concerns. These youth are pursuing their secondary and university education while turmoil rages around them. They face dire living conditions amid an acute shortage of water, electricity and even food.

Bear in mind that these youth paid a heavy price during the terrorist attacks on their areas, as 34 youth were killed in terrorist bombings in and around Qamishli. Despite all that, however, they are standing in solidarity with each other to safeguard their safety and the security of their areas against any terrorist threat.

Al-Mashareq: How does the Church help these youth, in practice?

Assadourian: We stand by them and support them spiritually and morally, and help them financially as much as possible to start enterprises or pursue their education.

Al-Mashareq: What about the Armenian presence in those areas?

Assadourian: A thousand Armenian families out of 3,500 still live in Qamishli, and 700 out of 2,000 Armenian families still live in al-Hasakeh.

Without a doubt there are thousands of Armenian-Syrian families in all parts of Syria who were forced to leave because of the war, and the few who remain, especially those who remained in al-Raqa, are facing difficult and tragic living conditions.

Al-Mashareq: What was the fate of the Armenian families who remained in al-Raqa under ISIS rule?

Assadourian: There used to be a significant Armenian presence in al-Raqa, however many families left when it was occupied by ISIS, except for some who could not leave because of their poor financial circumstances.

ISIS forced them to convert to Islam, and executed those who refused. The most recent killing of an Armenian by the group occurred [over] a month ago.

Al-Mashareq: What will be the fate of the Armenian church in al-Raqa that was occupied by ISIS?

Assadourian: Everyone knows that when ISIS occupied al-Raqa it seized our church, known as al-Shuhadaa Church, and hoisted its black flag atop it.

Today, we wait to see what will happen there, in the hope of reclaiming the church, after it had witnessed the killing of innocent people.

It would then be turned over to the Armenian Catholic Patriarchate, in the hope that it would be rebuilt.