The Christmas Mass in Antakya was held among the rubble of the Greek Orthodox Church of Saints Peter and Paul, which was destroyed in the February 6 Earthquakes.
While the tree in front of the collapsed church was illuminated for Christmas, this illuminated tree was dedicated to the memories of the community members who lost their lives in the earthquake.
Hurigil; “We Didn’t Go Anywhere. We Were Here in the Past, We Are Here Today. We will be here in the future too…”
A Christmas Mass was held in front of the rubble of the Antakya Saints Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church, which was destroyed in the February 6 earthquakes in Hatay. The Christmas Mass, which took place in front of the church rubble, caused sad moments.
While the tree in front of the collapsed church was illuminated for Christmas, this illuminated tree was dedicated to the memories of the Community Members who lost their lives in the earthquake. Pictures of community members who lost their lives in the February 6 earthquakes were also displayed on a billboard.
Making a statement after the sad ceremony, Antakya Greek Orthodox Church Foundation Chairman Fadi Hurigil noted that they have been in these lands since the past and will be here from now on.
Foundation President Hurigil; “Today, we may not have our main home, the Church, but we have dreams for the future by looking at the sky. Our ancestors also went through this trial in the past. Perhaps our Lord made them messengers for this mission. Even though our hopes are broken, this path we are walking is undoubtedly a long and difficult one. But even if we stumble or get tired, we will get up and continue walking again. “We will continue to raise our Church with the love and hope within us,” he said.
He congratulated the feast of the Great Nativity (Christmas) by saying; “On behalf of myself, our Deputy Patriarch, our Church Fathers and our Board of Directors, we congratulate the feast of all the community and wish you health and well-being.”
(SAT-7 Türk/İlyas Edip TERBİYELİ-İskenderun)
