A mass was held on Sunday at St. Sarkis Church for the Armenian Orthodox in Damascus on the occasion of Christmas as observed by the Eastern Orthodox liturgical calendar.

Bishop Armash Nalbandian, primate of the Armenian Church of Damascus, delivered the Christmas sermon, in which he highlighted the high meanings of Christmas, calling for love , peace, and justice to prevail among all people.

Delegated by President Bashar al-Assad, Minister of Presidential Affairs Mansour Azzam offered congratulations to the Armenian Orthodox denomination which follows the Eastern Orthodox liturgical calendar on the occasion of Christmas.

The minister visited Bishop Armash Nalbandian, Primate of the Armenian Church of Damascus, and conveyed President al-Assad’s congratulations and good wishes.

For his part, Nalbandian expressed his thanks and appreciation to President al-Assad for this kind gesture, affirming that the steadfastness of the Syrian people was the main factor in their victory against terrorism, praying to G-d to protect Syria and its people.