Syria

Many Christians in Syria—who have historically experienced a higher degree of freedom in Syria than in most other Middle Eastern countries—have refused to actively oppose the regime which, according to Islamists, means they are loyal to President Bashar al-Assad. While these Christians denounce the brutality of the regime, they fear that any government that replaces Assad will be dominated by extremists who will severely persecute religious minorities. In this article, Barnabas Fund shares the tragic stories of Christians who fled war-torn Syria to Lebanon.

Two Orthodox bishops kidnapped in a village near Aleppo, Syria two weeks ago remain in the custody of rebels, but are reportedly in good health. Eastern Catholic clergy held a Mass in Rome’s Basilica of Santa Maria to pray for two archbishops on Friday, Catholic News reports.

The church in Syria is experiencing a deep humanitarian crisis that is leading to the rapid loss of hope. In the face of violence and persecution, our brothers and sisters are striving to keep their eyes on the Lord and seeking His face in their country. On Saturday May 11, 2013 churches ALL OVER SYRIA will unite in one heart before the Father. They are meeting in their churches, homes and gathering places to send their cries to our Lord. Please join your brothers and sisters on May 11 in prayer and fasting. “The reason we are here is stronger than the [bullets] we hear or the curfews in place for our safety,” said a Christian in Damascus. “We are truly seeing His mighty hands in the life of our Church and people.”

Many Christians in Syria—who have historically experienced a higher degree of freedom in Syria than in most other Middle Eastern countries—have refused to actively oppose the regime which, according to Islamists, means they are loyal to President Bashar al-Assad. While these Christians denounce the brutality of the regime, they fear that any government that replaces Assad will be dominated by extremists who will severely persecute religious minorities. In this article, Al-Ahram reports on Syria’s ancient Christian roots which “are an intrinsic and fundamental part of the fabric of Syrian society,” said Suleiman Youssef, an Assyrian political activist.

The Arab Spring—at one time a commendable, idealistic dream—has now plummeted toward a grave reality: the only freedoms gained were those of Islamists that demand complete submission from Christians and other religious minorities. Many Christians in Syria fear the same will happen to them if President Bashar al-Assad is deposed. While many Christians have publicly denounced the brutality of President Assad and by no means support the regime, most Christians see little hope in an alternative government which, they fear, will be led by Islamists who will hinder or outright abolish the religious freedoms long experienced by Christian in Syria. “The Christians’ are afraid by the rise of militant Islamic groups, such as the al-Qaeda-affiliated Jabhat al-Nusra and other extremist Islamic organizations that seek to establish an ‘Islamic caliphate’ in Syria,” Suleiman Youssef, a Syrian Christian, writes for Al-Monitor.

The kidnappings of the Syriac Orthodox and Greek Orthodox Archbishops of Aleppo on April 22 by armed rebels has “pained and concerned” the Christian community in the war-torn country, Greek Melkite bishop Mgr Jeanbart Jean Clement told AsiaNews. There have been conflicting reports about the bishops’ health and whereabouts. The bishops are the most senior church leaders abducted in the conflict which has now killed more than 70,000 people across Syria.

A church in Deir Ezzor, Syria was destroyed by an “explosion”, Br. Antoine Haddad, vice provincial Minister of Lebanon, told Global Research News. Global Research provides few details of the incident and it remains unclear whether the “explosion” was caused by rebel forces or the regime. Moreover, it does not appear that the church was specifically targeted.

Open Doors urges believers to pray for Christians in Syria on Saturday, May 11. "As Christians in Syria continue to suffer from the devastating effects of the two-year-old civil war including killings, kidnappings, homelessness, lack of food and shelter and closing of schools; they are also seeing that God's hand is at work as all denominations are joining in passionate prayer," says Open Doors USA President/CEO Steve Ridgway. "Christians in Syria know only Jesus can bring redemption and true peace.”

Lisa Pearce, deputy CEO of Open Doors UK, brings us the latest on Syria’s Christian refugees who are now living in Lebanon after fleeing violence in their homeland.

The kidnappings of the Syriac Orthodox and Greek Orthodox Archbishops of Aleppo on April 22 by armed rebels in the village of Kfar Dael heightened concerns among some Syrian Christians that similar incidents may take place in the war-torn country which has now claimed some 70,000 lives. The nephew of Bishop Yohanna Ibrahim, one of the two archbishops who were kidnapped, said he hopes Syrian Christians will not use the incident as an incentive to flee the country, the Christian Post reports.

Two Orthodox bishops kidnapped in a village near Aleppo, Syria are still in the hands of kidnappers, Mgr. Jean-Clement Jeanbart, Greek Melkite bishop of Aleppo, told Asia News. "The Catholic and Orthodox Churches are doing their best to mediate with the kidnappers," the prelate added, "but at present no one understands the reasons for this act and who is behind these criminals." Meanwhile, mortar rounds hit one of Aleppo’s main Christian neighborhoods, killing four people on April 29, Asia News reports.