Armenians in Syria’s Qamishli celebrate Christmas without gatherings
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – On Wednesday, the Armenian Orthodox community in northeastern Syria’s Qamishli celebrate Christmas by praying within the church, without gatherings and in the presence of a limited number of members of the Armenian community.
Armenian Orthodox Christians celebrated Christmas according to the eastern (Julian) calendar in the Church of Sourp Hagop in Qamishli city.
Christmas rituals this year were limited to holding prayers within the church, foregoing the usual annual ritual of marching in Metranya Square accompanied by the Armenian Orthodox Scouts Band due to coronavirus restrictions.
Armenian Christians – both Orthodox and Catholic – who follow the eastern calendar celebrated Christmas today, while many other Christian communities in northeast Syria, such as the Syriac Orthodox, Assyrians, and Evangelical Church, celebrated Christmas on December 25.