A Christian town in Syria keeps the Biblical language of Aramaic alive. But it fears for its future
Maaloula, Syria AP Church bells echoed across the rocky slopes of this ancient Syrian town on a cold Sunday morning. But few families remained. Maaloula is one of the world’s few places where residents still speak Aramaic, the language that Jesus is believed to have used. The town is also home to Syria’s two oldest active […]
Syria’s Christians mark a decade since a horrific IS attack and worry about their future
Tel Tal, Syria AP It was a mournful moment for Christians in Syria. A bell that once summoned residents to worship rang out, but the church was no longer there. The Saint Odisho church was blown up by the Islamic State group a decade ago, leaving Tel Tal village almost empty of residents. Ishaq Nissan, […]
Syrian Christians want their identity and freedoms protected in any new constitution, envoy says
Nicosia, Cyprus AP As Syria begins recovering from 50 years of autocratic rule by the Assad family, an international envoy says Christians and other religious groups expect their rights and freedoms to be preserved under a new constitutional settlement. Salina Shambos, a senior Cypriot diplomat and the newly appointed special envoy for religious freedom and […]
Syrian Christians attend Christmas Mass for first time since fall of Assad
Damascus, Syria Reuters Syrian Christians attended Christmas Eve services on Tuesday for the first time since the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad in early December, in an early test of the new Islamist rulers’ pledges to protect the rights of the country’s religious minorities. The service was held amid tight security due to concerns of […]
Syria’s Christians fearful of new Islamist leaders as Christmas approaches
Damascus, Syria Reuters Syrian church leaders are advising Christians to scale back Christmas celebrations this year, despite assurances from the Islamists who have just taken power that they are free to practise their religion. The self-imposed constraints highlight one of the main challenges for Syria’s new Islamist rulers: establishing mutual trust among a myriad of […]
Essay: Why Syria’s reconstruction may depend on the fate of its minorities
Expert on religious minorities, RAMAZAN KILINÇ, says – in an article first published on The Conversation – that the treatment of such groups will be a “critical indicator” of whether Syria can build an inclusive society…
Essay: How American converts complicate Syrian Orthodox Christians’ future
KATHERINE KELAIDIS says, in an article first published on Religion News Service, that Syria’s Christians face an uncertain future, caught between shifting alliances both in the sphere of global politics and the petty preferences of the West’s culture wars…
Syrian Christians attend services, schools reopen a week after Assad’s overthrow
Damascus/Latakia, Syria Reuters Syrian Christians attended regular Sunday services for the first time since the dramatic overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad a week ago, in an early test of assurances by the new Islamist rulers that the rights of minorities will be protected. As the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) swept to power last […]
Postcards: Enterprising Christians see hope despite Syria’s five years of war
As the conflict in Syria enters its sixth year,World Watch Monitor looks at how Syrian churches are creating employment opportunities and reaching out to Muslims…
Syria: Anxious Christians urge prayer for troubled peace talks
STEFAN J BOS, of BosNewsLife, reports…