A massive 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit the Middle East on February 6th, 2023, with its epicenter in Eastern Turkey. The quake spread out towards the northeast, bringing devastation to central Turkey and Syria. The tremors were also felt in Lebanon, Cyprus, and nearby countries.
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I immediately contacted the spiritual and lay leadership of the Armenian community in Syria to closely follow the situation.
The effects of the earthquake in Lebanon were relatively mild and thankfully there are no major damages or casualties.
Fortunately, the damages in Kessab—a small Armenian-populated town in north-western Syria, and in the Jazira region are limited to structures, and there are no human casualties. The St. Mary Church in Kessab suffers structural damages: gaps and cracks in walls, and broken church ornaments.
The situation in Aleppo is different. Besides the much more widespread damages, we are saddened by the news of the passing of a mother and her youngest son (a middle school student). They were trapped under the rubble of their collapsed building. Also, the Forty Martyrs Cathedral in Aleppo suffers from structural damage.
We will keep you updated as new information comes in.
We raise our prayers to God almighty and ask for His strength to fall upon the people affected by this tragedy.
