The historic Saray Street where the church was located was completely demolished in the quakes. Since the front of the church was full of rubble, those attending the ceremony first broke through the piles of rubble.

Citizens from the Aegean İzmir province and different districts of Hatay attended the service along with the children who experienced their first Easter. 

Fadi Hurigil, leader of the Greek Orthodox Community of Antakya, said that the Culture Ministry will rebuild their church and the surrounding businesses that belong to the church.

The Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch was built of wood before 1870. When it burned down in a fire, it was rebuilt in stone.