LATAKIA, Syria — As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation between Churches and Christian community institutions, a delegation from the Syriac Cultural Association in Latakia visited the Armenian Orthodox Church of the Virgin Mary, where they met with Father Vasken, the parish priest. The meeting focused on ways to enhance joint work, serve the community, and preserve heritage and cultural identity.

During the meeting, the delegation presented the Association’s mission and objectives, along with its most prominent cultural and social activities carried out in recent months. These initiatives aim to preserve Syriac heritage, strengthen cultural identity, and promote community engagement among different segments of society.

For his part, Father Vasken expressed his appreciation for the Association’s efforts in serving the community and preserving heritage and identity. He praised its initiatives and programs, emphasizing the importance of continuing such activities because of their role in promoting culture and strengthening social ties among the people of the region.

Father Vasken also blessed the Association’s work and prayed for the success and continuation of its mission. He announced his readiness to support its activities by encouraging children to participate in the programs and events it organizes and by helping to promote its message, thereby enhancing its cultural and social presence.

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At the conclusion of the visit, the delegation expressed its gratitude to Father Vasken and the church administration for their warm reception, stressing that such meetings reflect the spirit of fraternity and cooperation between Churches and community institutions and contribute to uniting efforts to serve society and preserve the shared cultural and human heritage.

The Syriac Cultural Association has conducted several visits to Church leaders in various Syrian cities since obtaining official authorization from the Syrian Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor on 3 February 2026. Among those visited was Father Hanania Warda, who emphasized the richness of the Syriac language and its historical importance as an integral part of the region’s cultural and civilizational heritage. He also stressed the need to give the language greater attention and ensure its faithful transmission to future generations.

Father Hanania likewise announced his full support and cooperation with the Association’s various activities. He highlighted the importance of maintaining continuous communication with Churches of all denominations, noting that such openness contributes significantly to expanding the Association’s reach and strengthening its activities in service of its cultural mission.