ISTANBUL. – The Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople issued a statement and called upon the Armenian community of Istanbul to assist Syrian Armenians as much as possible.   

The statement notes that an Istanbul Armenian delegation led by Archbishop Aram Ateshyan, the Armenian Deputy Patriarch of Constantinople, met with the Turkish authorities, and with respect to sending assistance to the Armenians in Syria. The authorities guaranteed that the help collected by the Istanbul Armenian community will reach the Syrian Armenians by way of the Red Crescent. Following this meeting, the Armenian community of Istanbul formed a relief commission, Istanbul’s Agos Armenian bilingual weekly reports.       

Three-currency bank accounts are opened for monetary assistance while clothing and other accessories will be collected by way of the Istanbul Armenian churches.