Damascus February 2009
Visit to the Armenian Community in Damascus as a guest of Bishop Armash
Nalbandian
Primate of the Armenian Church, Damascus
Following my trip to Kolkata in November, I was very kindly
invited by the Primate of the Armenian Church in Damascus, Bishop Armash
Nalbandian to travel to Damascus with a view to giving a talk on Sir Catchick
Paul Chater. Bishop Nalbandian felt that the life and achievements of this
little known Armenian (little known certainly outside India and the Far East)
would bring a different perspective to the Armenians and their history, to those
living in Syria.
I cannot begin to tell you how wonderfully kind and generous the people of
Damascus are. I was made to feel so welcome everywhere I went.
Bishop Nalbandian was keen for me to see how the Armenian community live and
work and he wanted me to experience community life. He was, rightly so,
proud of the Armenians there and, as the week wore on I soon began to realise
that the Bishop was an extremely popular, well thought of and a very respected
man and the community were equally proud to have him there as their Bishop.
One of the ladies introduced to me by the Bishop, and who was one of my guides
and helpers during my week said, "he is a very special man indeed and we are
very lucky to have him as our Bishop". Sylvia, another lady who also took
me under her wing for the week said of the Bishop "He is a breath of fresh air".
No sooner had I landed there was an invitation to dinner by a small group from
the community at a traditional Arabic House that was now a restaurant.
That was my first taste of the Armenian community and there were many more
invitations as the week went on.
 The first of many invitations by the Armenian community in Damascus |
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 At the Armenian cemetery. |
 En route to the mountains |
 In the mountains |
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 A passing Arab - I couldn't resist the photo opportunity! |
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 Spectacular countryside |
 High up, overlooking Damascus |
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 Having visits some monasteries, we stopped for a late lunch at a restaurant in the mountains |
 the outside of the Armenian church in Damascus |
 One of the Gates of the Old City, of Damascus |
 A street in the Old City |
 The bread shop |
 The St. Elias Monastery - where I stayed for the week |
 My room at the Monastery |
 I walked to the Church everyday along this route |
 The Armenian Church from outside the old city |
 Damascus at night |
 with the Bishop's mum! |
 My talk on Sir Paul Chater. Left is Kohar my translator. |
 The audience attentively listening |
 Giving Sylvia a small gift for all her help |
 Giving Kohar a gift as well |
 The Bishop presented to me a beautiful ceramic scroll with the Armenian alphabet |
 Group photos after the presentation |
 Pizza after the presentation! |
 I was completely fascinated by the lingerie shops. Some of the outfits where very revealing and quite erotic! |
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 a shop dedicated to Hubble Bubble! |
 More saucy lingerie |
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 Inside a Mosque, tourists had to wear these coats |
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 This tomb is said to contain the head of John the Baptist |
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 The story teller |
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 Kohar invited me to lunch one day, and whilst at the restaurant she showed me that it was also a hotel. |
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 One of the very beautiful rooms available |
 Damascus is truly a hidden tourist gem |
 the courtyard |
 a seating area |
 and right next door, is lunch |
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