The torrential downpour that began in Venice on the evening of November 12, and coupled by high winds, has damaged not only the city's buildings, but also the Armenian St. Lazarus Island.

"All the rooms on the ground floor were flooded with pond water; even the church was filled with half a meter of water, damaging some church attire, handmade ornaments and carpets," informed Father Hamazasp Kechichian of the Mekhitarists congregation. “Only in the morning did we see that the wall on the south side of the island had collapsed. The Armenia sailboat docked near the monastery was pulled over by the waves and had hit the walls, destroying it.”

Father Kechichian added, however, that the monastery’s repository of books, the gallery, the manuscript house, and the seat were not damaged.