Armenians in Syria

Armenians in Syria
Total population
80,000 (prior to the civil war)[1]
Regions with significant populations
Aleppo, Qamishli, Damascus, Latakia
Kessab and Yakubiyah (two Armenian-inhabited small towns)
Languages
Armenian, Arabic
Religion
Armenian Apostolic, Armenian Catholic, Armenian Evangelical
Related ethnic groups
Armenian, Hamshenis, Cherkesogai groups

The Armenians in Syria are Syrian citizens of either full or partial Armenian descent. Syria and the surrounding areas have often served as a refuge for Armenians who fled from wars and persecutions such as the Armenian Genocide. According to the Ministry of Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia, the estimated number of Armenians in Syria is 100,000, with more than 60,000 of them are centralized in Aleppo.[2] However, as of the end of 2013, an estimated number of 9,000 of Syria's Armenian community have arrived in Armenia since the break out of the Syrian Civil War.[3] Another 8,000 left for Lebanon, with fewer numbers have moved to Europe and the United States.[4]

The small Syrian towns of Kessab and Yakubiyah -located near the Turkish border- have Armenian majority.[5]

History

Early history

During the ancient times, there was a small Armenian presence in northern Syria. Under Tigranes the Great, Armenians invaded Syria and the city of Antioch was chosen as one of the four capitals of the short-lived Armenian Empire.

In 301, Christianity became the official religion of Armenia through the efforts of Saint Gregory the Illuminator. Armenian merchants and pilgrims started to visit the earliest Christian centres of Greater Syria including Antioch, Edessa, Nisibis and Jerusalem. Close relations were established between the Armenians and the Christian congregations of Syria after the apostolic era.

Middle Ages

The 15th-century Church of the Holy Mother of God of Aleppo, currently serves as treasury-museum of the Armenian Church

During the first half of the 7th century, Armenia was conquered by the Arab Islamic Caliphate. Thouands of Armenians were carried into slavery by the Arab invaders to serve in other regions of the Umayyad Caliphate including their capital Damascus in the Muslim-controlled Syria.[6]

During the 2nd half of the 11th century, Armenia -being under the Byzantine rule- was conquered by the Seljuq Turks. Waves of Armenians left their homeland in order to settle in more stable countries. Most Armenians established themselves in Cilicia where they founded the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia. Many other Armenians have preferred to settle in northern Syria. Armenian quarters were formed during the 11th century in Antioch, Aleppo, Ayntab, Marash, Kilis, etc.

Prior to the Siege of Antioch, most Armenians were expelled from Antioch by the Turkish governor of the city Yaghi-Siyan, a move that prompted the Armenians of Antioch, and the rulers of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia to establish close relations with the European Crusades rather than the mostly-Turkish rulers of Syria. Thus, the new rulers of Antioch became the Europeans. Armenian engineers also helped the Crusaders during the Siege of Tyre by manipulating siege engines.

However, the Armenian population of Syria and its surrounding areas greatly diminished after the invasion of the Mongols under Hulagu Khan.

After the decline of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia during the 14th century, a new wave of Armenian migrants from the Cilician and other towns of northern Syria arrived in Aleppo. They have gradually developed their own schools and churches to become a well-organized community during the 15th century with the establishment of the Armenian Diocese of Beroea in Aleppo.

Ottoman Syria

An early 17th century narrow alley in Jdeydeh, leading to the old Armenian quarter of Hokedoun, Aleppo

During the early years of the Ottoman rule over Syria, there was relatively smaller Armenian presence in northern Syria due to the military conflicts in the region. A larger community existed in Urfa which is considered part of Greater Syria. The Ottoman Empire had a large indigenous Armenian population in its Eastern Anatolia region, from where some Armenians moved to Aleppo in search of economic opportunity. Later on, many Armenian families moved from Western Armenia to Aleppo escaping the Turkish oppression. Thus, large numbers of Armenians from Arapgir, Sasun, Hromgla, Zeitun, Marash and New Julfa arrived in Aleppo during the 17th century. Another wave of migrants from Karin arrived in Aleppo in 1737. There were also families from Yerevan.[7]

Armenian population increased in Aleppo. By the end of the 19th century, the Mazloumian family established the "Ararat hotel" that became a renowned international establishment and renamed Baron Hotel.

Armenian Genocide and the 20th century

Armenian students cramped into crowded classrooms in Aleppo after they flooded Syrian cities upon the Armenian Genocide of 1915

Although the Armenians have had a long history in Syria, most arrived there during the Armenian Genocide committed by the Ottoman Empire. The main killing fields of Armenians were located in the Syrian desert of Deir ez-Zor (Euphrates Valley). More than a million Armenians were killed and hundreds of thousands fled historic Armenia. The native Arabs didn't hesitate to shelter and support persecuted Armenians. Arabs and Armenians have traditionally had good relations after Arabs sheltered the Armenians during the Armenian Genocide. There was also a minor Arab genocide in Anatolia at the same time.

Aleppo's large Christian population swelled with the influx of Armenian and Assyrian Christian refugees during the early 20th-century and after the Armenian Genocide and Assyrian Genocide of 1915. After the arrival of the first groups of Armenian refugees (1915–1922) the population of Aleppo in 1922 counted 156,748 of which Muslims were 97,600 (62.26%), native Christians -mostly Catholics- 22,117 (14.11%), Jews 6,580 (4.20%), Europeans 2,652 (1.70%), Armenian refugees 20,007 (12.76%) and others 7,792 (4.97%).[8][9]

The second period of Armenian flow towards Aleppo marked with the withdrawal of the French troops from Cilicia in 1923.[10] After the arrival of more than 40,000 Armenian refugees between 1923 and 1925, the population of the city reached up to 210,000 by the end of 1925, where Armenians formed more than 25% of it.[11]

According to the historical data presented by Al-Ghazzi, the vast majority of the Aleppine Christians were Catholics until the last days of the Ottoman rule. The growth of the Orthodox Christians is related with the arrival of the Armenian and Assyrian genocide survivors from Cilicia and Southern Turkey, while on the other hand, large numbers of Orthodox Greeks from the Sanjak of Alexandretta arrived in Aleppo after the annexation of the Sanjak in 1939 in favour of Turkey.

In 1944, Aleppo's population was around 325,000, with 112,110 (34.5%) Christians among which Armenians have counted 60,200. Armenians formed more than half of the Christian community in Aleppo until 1947, when many groups of them left for Soviet Armenia within the frames of the Armenian Repatriation Process (1946–1967).

Current status and the Syrian Civil War

Currently, most Armenians of Syria live in Aleppo, with smaller communities exist in Qamishli, Damascus, Kessab and Yacoubiyah, Ghnemiyeh and Aramo (Armenian villages in Latakia). In the capital Damascus, Armenians even have their own quarter known as "Hayy al Arman" (Quarter of the Armenians).

There are Armenians also in Latakia, Ar-Raqqah, Tell Abyad, Al-Hasakah, Al-Malikiyah and Ras al-Ayn.

However, as a result of the ongoing civil war in Syria, over 9,000 Syrian Armenians were living in Armenia as of December 2013.[12] Another 8,000 Armenians have arrived in Lebanon from Syria during 2013.


Organizations

The Armenian Orphanage in Jdeydeh, Aleppo
Monument to Zeitun resistance of 1895, Surp Kevork Church, Aleppo

The majority of Armenian organizations are based in the city of Aleppo, acting in the form of cultural, sport, youth or charitable associations:

Cultural associations based in Aleppo:

Charitable associations based in Aleppo:

Sports associations based in Aleppo:

Students associations based in Aleppo:

Most associations have their branches in many other Syrian cities: Qamishli, Damascus, Latakia, Kessab, etc.

The Armenians of Aleppo have also formed compatriotic unions based on their roots, named after towns and villages where their ancestors have migrated from, during the Armenian Genocide. Nowadays, there are 11 compatriotic organizations operating in Aleppo: Dikranagerd, Daron-Duruperan, Marash, Urfa women's, Urfa youth, Palu, Zeitun, Kilis, Berejik, Musa Ler and Garmouj compatriotic unions.

Other notable community structures in Aleppo include:

Religion

The Genocide memorial at the Forty Martyrs Cathedral, Aleppo

Armenians in Syria are mainly followers of the Armenian Apostolic Church, with a minority of Armenian Catholics and Armenian Evangelicals. The Church has a very important role in unifying Armenians in Syria.

After 301 AD, when Christianity became the official state religion of Armenia and its population, Aleppo became an important centre for the Armenian pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem. Yet, not considered an organized community in the city, Armenian presence was notably enlarged in Aleppo, during the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia (12th century), when a considerable number of Armenian families and merchants settled in the city creating their own businesses, residencies, and gradually schools, churches and prelacy. The Armenian church of the Forty Martyrs in Aleppo was mentioned for the first time in 1476. In 1624, as a result of the growing number of Armenian residents and pilgrims, the Armenian prelacy started to build a quarter near the church which kept its original name Hokedoun (Spiritual House), up to now. It was designated to serve as a settlement for the Armenian pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem.

Apostolic Armenians

Church of the Holy Mother of God in Aleppo
Armenian Genocide Martyrs' Memorial Church of Deir ez-Zor
Surp Sarkis Cathedral in Damascus

The majority of Armenians of the Armenian Apostolic (also known as Oriental Orthodox Armenian) faith are under the jurisdiction of the Holy See of Cilicia (based in Antelias, Lebanon) of the Armenian Apostolic Church. However, the Diocese of Damascus pledges allegiance to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

The Apostolic Armenian population in Syria belongs to one of the 3 following prelacies:

Catholic Armenians

Holy Cross Armenian Catholic church, Aleppo
Holy Saviour - Saint Barbara Armenian Catholic Church, Aleppo

Catholic Armenians are members of the Armenian Catholic Church. The Catholic Armenian population in Syria belongs to one of the 4 following prelacies under the jurisdiction of the Armenian Catholic Patriarchate of Cilicia:

The Armenian Catholic Church has 2 Convents in Syria:

Evangelical Armenians

The Holy Trinity Armenian Evangelical Church of Kessab

Armenian Evangelicals (also known as Armenian Protestants), belong to Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East of the Armenian Evangelical Church.

Education

Karen Jeppe Armenian College of Aleppo in 1973

The education is an important factor in maintaining Armenian language and patriotism among the Armenian community in Syria. Aleppo as the main host of the community, is a center of Armenian long-running schools and cultural institutions. Armenian students who graduate from those community schools, can immediately enter the Syrian university system, after passing the official Thanawiya 'Amma (High School baccalaureate) exams.

Armenian schools in Aleppo

A total of 9 schools operate in Aleppo including 4 secondary education schools (high schools):

Cilician School, the elementary section
Grtasirats High School

Other Elementary schools in Aleppo under the administration of the prelacy:

Monument to the Armenian victims of Marash in 1920, Surp Kevork Church, Aleppo

Defunct schools, mainly closed due to the Armenian Repatriation Process to Soviet Armenia between 1946 and 1967:[14]

Armenian schools in other Syrian regions

defunct schools:

Integration of the Armenian communities in Syria

Political life

Syrian Armenians were integrated in the poltitcal life since the Ottoman rule over Syria. Artin Boşgezenyan was a deputy for Aleppo in the first (1908–1912), second (April–August 1912) and third (1914–1918) Ottoman Parliaments of the Constitutional Era.[15]

After the establishment of the Syrian state, Hrant Maloyan an Armenian General officer from Muş had served as the head of Syrian Security Forces during the 1940s and 1950s. On the other hand, another Armenian military General officer from Ayntab; Aram Karamanougian had became the artillery commander of the Syrian Army during the same period.

Armenians have had almost continuous representation in the Syrian Parliament from 1928 onwards. The Armenian-Syrian members of Parliament were (in chronological order) Mihran Puzantian, Fathalla Asioun, Nicolas Djandjigian, Movses Der Kalousdian (later on also MP in the Lebanese Parliament), Hratch Papazian, Henri Hendieh (Balabanian), Hrant Sulahian, Bedros Milletbashian, Ardashes Boghigian, Nazaret Yacoubian, Movses Salatian, Dikran Tcheradjian, Fred Arslanian, Abdallah Fattal, Louis Hendieh, Krikor Eblighatian, Aram Karamanougian, Roupen Dirarian, Levon Ghazal, Simon Ibrahim Librarian and Sunbul Sunbulian (until 2012). However, as a result of the 2012 parliamental elections, currently the People's Council of Syria does not have any Armenian member.

The current Cabinet of Syria has one Armenian member after Nazira Farah Sarkis has been named as State Minister for Environment Affairs in June 2012.

Persecution

As of November 2014, only 23 Armenian and Assyrian Christian families remain in the city of Ar-Raqqah. Christian bibles and holy books reportedly been burned by ISIS militants.[16][17][18]

Media

The Armenian Prelacy in Aleppo

Syria has a rich tradition of media and publications in Armenian language. Armenian dailies -currently defunct- had a great run at the beginning of the 20th century. The daily Hye Tsayn (1918–1919), one-every-two-days Darakir (1918–1919) and Yeprad (1919) were among the first published newspapers.

A stream of publications followed in the twenties and the thirties of the 20th century: Souriagan Sourhantag (1919–1922), Souriagan Mamul (Syrian Press, 1922–1927), the dailies Yeprad (1927–1947), Souria (1946–1960) and Arevelk (1946–1963). The latter had also its annual yearbook. Arevelk had also published 1956 its youth supplement Vahakn (1956–1963) and its sports supplement Arevelk Marzashkharh (1957–1963).

Monthly papers included Nayiri (1941–1949) published by Antranig Dzarugian, and Purasdan youth publication (1950–1958).

Yearbooks include Souriahye Daretsuyts (1924–1926), Datev (1925–1930), Souriagan Albom (1927–1929), Daron (1949), Hye Darekirk (1956) and Keghart (since 1975).

Currently, Kantsasar weekly is the official organ of the Armenian Diocese of Beroea in Aleppo. It was first published as Oshagan in 1978 and was renamed Kantsasar in 1991.

Syrian publishers have a great contribution in translating several Armenian literature and academic studies into Arabic. It is noteworthy that the first evere Arabic language newspaper was published by the Aleppine Armenian journalist Rizqallah Asdvadzadur Hassoun in 1855 in Constantinople.[19]

Sport

The football team of al-Yarmouk (Homenetmen)

Al-Yarmouk and Ouroube are Syrian-Armenian sports clubs based in Aleppo. Being among the oldest sporting clubs in Syria, al-Yarmouk and Ouroube have several teams participating in different Syrian National competitions including football, basketball (men and women), table tennis, chess and other individual sports. The clubs have their own training grounds in the city of Aleppo.

During the first half of the 1940s and 1950s, many Armenian players had represented the Syrian football on the national level including Ardavazt Marutian and Kevork Gerboyan. The former player and trainer Avedis Kavlakian of the 1960s was selected by the Syrian press as the best Syrian footballer of the 20th century. Kevork Mardikian from Latakia is a prominent football trainer and one of the best Syrian footballers during the 1970s and 1980s. Nowadays, his son Mardik Mardikian is a member of the Syria national football team.

In basketball, Mary Mouradian, Ani Karalian, Elisabeth Mouradian and Magi Donabedian were members of the Syria women's national team during the 1980s and 1990s. Sari Papazian and Vatche Nalbandian from Aleppo are current members of the Syria men's national basketball team.

Music, arts and drama

Many Armenians from Syria had achieved national and international fame in the spheres of music and drama. Salloum Haddad from the Armenian village of Yacoubiyah is a famous contemporary actor in Syrian and Arab drama. Ruba al-Jamal (died in 2005) was a prominent classical Arabic songs performer born as Dzovinar Garabedian. Many other Syrian-Armenian singers and musicians became renowned artists among Armenians around the world like George Tutunjian, Karnig Sarkissian, Paul Baghdadlian, Setrag Ovigian, Arsen Grigoryan (Mro), Karno and Raffi Ohanian. Many others have achieved international fame including Aram Tigran, Haig Yazdjian, Avraam Russo, Wadi' Mrad, Talar Dekrmanjian and Lena Chamamyan. The conductor of the Syrian National Symphony Orchestra is Missak Baghboudarian from Damascus.

Armenian theatres in Aleppo include:

Armenian musical ensembles in Aleppo include:

Armenian dance groups in Aleppo include:

Armenian art academies in Aleppo include:

Medical sciences

Robert Jebejian Ophthalmological Hospital in Aleppo, founded in 1952

Armenians were among the pioneers of modern medical sciences in Syria. The first X-ray generator in Syria and Lebanon was brought by Dr. Asadour Altunian (1857-1950) to Aleppo in 1896.[20] Dr. Altunian opened the first-ever private hospital in Aleppo in 1927. Later, he founded the first nursing school in Aleppo and Syria. After his death in 1950, Dr. Asadour Altunian was honoured by the government of Syria with the Honour Medal of Syrian Merit of the Excellent Degree.[21] In ophthalmology, Dr. Robert Jebejian (1909-2001) was among the first ophthalmologists in Syria. He founded the first-ever private ophthalmological hospital in Aleppo in 1952.[22] Dr. Jebejina had published many valuable researches about leishmaniasis and trachoma.[23] In 1947, Dr. Jebejian performed the first-ever corneal transplantation surgery in the Middle East and the Arab World.[24]

Syrian-Armenian Relations

Deir ez-Zor and the Armenian Genocide

Pilgrims commemorating the 94th anniversary of the Genocide in Margadeh

In 1915, the Syrian region of Deir ez-Zor, mainly a desert became a final destination of the Armenians during Armenian Genocide where they were killed. A memorial complex commemorating this tragedy was opened in the city.[25] It was designed by Sarkis Balmanoukian and was officially inaugurated in 1990 with the presence of the Armenian Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia. The complex contains bones and remnants recovered from the Deir ez-Zor desert of Armenian victims of the Genocide and has become a pilgrim destination for many Armenians in remembrance of their dead.

Kessab, Syrian town with an Armenian majority

Kessab

Kessab (Arabic: كسب‎, Armenian: Քեսապ) is a Syrian border town located in the Latakia Governorate northwest of Syria at a height of 800 meters above sea level just 3 kilometers away from the Turkish border, and 9 kilometers from the Mediterranean sea.

Kessab is an ancient Armenian town, over 1000 years old. Today, The population of the town and the surrounding villages is mainly Armenian[26] with a minority of Syrian Arab.

Kessab is a touristic summer resort and a very popular destination.

Relations between Syria and Armenia

The Armenian embassy of Damascus (since 1992), was the first Armenian embassy opened abroad after the independence of Armenia. The official visit of the newly elected Armenian president Levon Ter-Petrossian to Syria in 1992, was the first international official visit of an Armenian president after the independence. Since then, the relations between the two countries are developing especially after the creation of a joint economical committee between the two governments and the establishment of co-operation between the commercial chambers of Aleppo and Armenia since 2008. The recent visit of president Bashar al-Assad to Yerevan in June 2009, came to maintain the bilateral relations.

Armenia has also a consulate general in Aleppo since 28 May 1993. In 1997, the Syrians opened their embassy in Yerevan which is located on Baghramyan street, few meters away from the presidential palace.

The first president of the new Republic of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrosyan was born in Aleppo, Syria.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Syrian Armenians in Armenia: Home away from home?". The Economist. 12 December 2013.
  2. ↑ "THE VIRTUAL MUSEUM OF ARMENIAN DIASPORA". Ministry of Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia. Retrieved 2014-02-19.
  3. ↑ UsaToday.com: Armenia tries to help as Christian Armenians flee Syria
  4. ↑ "Around 10,000 Syrian Armenians moved to Armenia and 8,000 to Lebanon - Shahan Ka". Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  5. ↑ Unknown, Unknown. "Wahhabi / Takfiri Cleric Smashes a Statue of the Virgin Mary in town of Yakubiyah". Orontes. jimdo.com. Retrieved 5 June 2014.
  6. ↑ Kurkjian, Vahan M.A History of Armenia hosted by The University of Chicago. New York: Armenian General Benevolent Union of America, 1958 pp. 173-185
  7. ↑ Aztag Daily, 10 February 2000, article edited by Mania Ghazarian and Ashod Sdepanian
  8. ↑ Alepppo in One Hundred Years 1850–1950, vol.3-page 26, 1994 Aleppo. Authors: Mohammad Fuad Ayntabi and Najwa Othman
  9. ↑ The Golden River in the History of Aleppo, (Arabic: ﻧﻬﺮ ﺍﻟﺬﻫﺐ ﻓﻲ ﺗﺎﺭﻳﺦ ﺣﻠﺐ‎), vol.1 (1922) page 256, published in 1991, Aleppo. Author: Sheikh Kamel Al-Ghazzi
  10. ↑ The Golden River in the History of Aleppo (Arabic: ﻧﻬﺮ ﺍﻟﺬﻫﺐ ﻓﻲ ﺗﺎﺭﻳﺦ ﺣﻠﺐ‎), vol.3 (1925) pages 449–450, published in 1991, Aleppo. Author: Sheikh Kamel Al-Ghazzi
  11. ↑ Hovannisian, Richard G. (2004). The Armenian People From Ancient to Modern Times, Volume II: Foreign Dominion to Statehood: The Fifteenth Century to the Twentieth Century. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. p. 425. ISBN 1-4039-6422-X.
  12. ↑ "Kuwait donates USD 100,000 to Armenia for humanitarian aid to Syria refugees". Kuwait News Agency. 26 December 2012. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  13. ↑ "Diocese of Aleppo, History". Diocese of Aleppo.
  14. ↑ Hayrenik Weekly: Armenians of Syria
  15. ↑ Aktar, A. (2007). "Debating the Armenian Massacres in the Last Ottoman Parliament, November December 1918". History Workshop Journal 64: 240. doi:10.1093/hwj/dbm046.
  16. ↑ "23 Christian Families Trapped in ISIS Stronghold Raqqa Facing Violence, Forced Taxes". Christian Post. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  17. ↑ "23 Families Left in Syria's Raqqa After ISIS Control". Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  18. ↑ "25 Christian families still in Raqqa. Obligation to pay a "protection tax" - Fides News Agency". Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  19. ↑ The Syrian press, the past and the present, by Hashem Osman, 1970 Damascus (الصحافة السورية ماضيها وحاضرها –هاشم عثمان– 1970 دمشق)
  20. ↑ "جواهر حلب". Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  21. ↑ "أعلام الأطباء في حلب - الطبيب أسادور ألتونيان". Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  22. ↑ "موقع حلب - "روبيرت جبه جيان".. مفهوم جديد للواقعية التعبيرية". Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  23. ↑ Artsgulf: Robert Jebejian
  24. ↑ "معرض لوحات للدكتور جبه جيان". Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  25. ↑ "Monument and Memorial Complex at Der Zor, Syria". Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  26. ↑ Mannheim, Ivan (2001). Syria and Lebanon Handbook: The Travel Guide. Footprint Travel Guides. p. 299. ISBN 1-900949-90-3.
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