KURDS ARE MASSACRING CHRISTIANS IN THE MIDDLE EAST REGIONS UNDER THEIR CONTROL!

Kurds, the brutal enemies of Christianity, are displaying their enmity on every occasion. Although they feel that we the Christians support them, bearing a stance against Turks, still they cherish the dream of a big Ottoman Empire which they would establish together with Turks.

The Kurds are now waiting for our support. However, on the other hand, they are cooperating with the enemies of Greece. For example, they are providing training to the Albanian gypsies on guerrilla warfare, while falling short of any formal declaration regarding their support for us on the Macedonian issue. On a news report about their way of behavior against the Christians, it says: " The name of the village: Sese. This village is close to the settlement called Simile in Iraq. Christians used to live here until a few years ago. There is a church at the center of this village, and there used to be houses around that church. Now only the destroyed houses and silence dominate this village. The houses around the church have been destroyed systematically."

For a Christian, it is not easy at all to live in Iraq, Turkey, Iran and Syria. Some of those Christians living in the referred countries are accused of being "spies of the West". Some of them are living in fear and under great oppressions .The Church in Syria had been once one of the most prominent churches of Christianity. Unfortunately today, the total number of Christians living in that country does not exceed a few hundred. The other Christians, who fled abroad, is now living in Europe, America, Lebanon and Australia.

Today in Turkey, other than the Patriarchate, 3500 Greeks are living in İstanbul, while 1000 Christians live in Imroz and Tenedos. There are also 3000 Catholic Levantines in İstanbul and in İzmir. Also, 5000 Armenians are living in either İstanbul, or in the vicinity of the borders with the former Soviet Union. There is also an unknown number of Christian people living in Capadoccia and along the coasts of Turkey. In Iraq, there are 500 Arab Orthodox people. They are exposed to continuous oppressions imposed by the Muslims, and are always living in fear. In Iraq, Saddam Hussein's portraits are hung at every building; while hanging the portrait of a bishop is severely punished.

Nevertheless, despite their small number, the Christians struggle to survive. Simela Village (a Christian village in Iraq) has also been ruined by the Iraqi soldiers and the Kurds. During a raid on Beneta Village, the headman of the village was murdered and the perpetrators could not be arrested.

Idil, located in the Southeast of Turkey, used to be the biggest Christian city, for the time being in that city there are living only 30 families. In Midyat, there are only a few Christians. There are more church bells than minarets. Christianity is still resisting. So you can imagine how difficult it is for clergymen to work. For example, in the monastery called Dar'ul-Zaferan there has remained only one priest. This priest called Ibrahim is resisting all alone. In spite of all these conditions, there is still hope. Why? Because the solidarity and assistance among Christians maintains in every field.

We have to know certain facts in order to survive as a nation. We support Kurds, we spend billions to help them. However, despite all these, we should not trust them much. Kurds, on every occasion, say that they are the grandchildren of Midons (Meds). These Midons, years ago, perpetrated numerous attacks in order to exterminate the Greek nation.

(This article was published on March 24, 1998 on the 718th issue of the Stohos Newspaper published in Greece.)