ARMENIAN CHURCH STARTS IN NORTHERN IRAQ
Interfax, Russia
March 14 2007
Yerevan, March 14, Interfax – The foundation stone of a new Armenian
church was laid in the northern Iraqi town of Duhok.
The ceremony was held within the framework of the Armenian Apostolic
Church’s Archbishop Avag Asatourian of Iraq visiting the northern
part of the country, the press service of Holy Etchmiadzin said.
Following the Armenian Church’s ancient tradition, Archbishop Avag
blessed 16 cornerstones for the future church. The ceremony was
attended by the local Armenian community and some clergy from other
churches.
Before the US led coalition forces invaded Iraq, there had been c.
20,000 Armenians, many of whom were later to leave for neighboring
countries, Western Europe and the US. Currently 12,000 to 16,000
Armenians are estimated to remain in Iraq, mainly in Baghdad, Basra
and in the northern part of the country.
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