Syria was one of the first places in the world to have a Christian community – the community is mentioned in the Book of Acts and St Paul’s famous conversion on the road to Damascus...
Christians are not foreign to Syrian land; they have not been imported; they are, in fact, founders and original inhabitants. Name “Syria” is derived from Assyrian and Syriac Christian denominations, which constituted 80% of the country’s population before Islam arrived in 7th Century AD. Syrian Christians are survivors no matter which other group is in power, although they have suffered at the hands of most who have ruled or invaded Syria over time. Syria’s Christians pride themselves on their national identity, patriotism and participation in the struggle for Syria’s independence and their role during formation of modern Syrian state. Their support of the Palestinian struggle against Israel’s occupation and their Pan-Arab identity prove their unwavering connection to region’s peoples and their struggles toward independence.
There are several theories have emerged to explain the caution and silence of Syria’s Christians towards the regime’s increasing brutality. They are afraid of the extremist opposition, and it is easy to single Christians out because they are concentrated in urban areas. They also tend to follow the line dictated by the leadership of their respective churches. And despite some token commanders, they are underrepresented in Syria’s military machine, for reasons ranging from a personal dislike of violence to preference for civilian careers, to meticulously calculated sectarian policy of the Assad regimes that have ruled the country for nearly five decades. The plight of Syria’s Christians stems from the fact that, while they have been used for show, they are actually marginalized by the regime and maligned by the opposition.
Before Syrian Civil War, approximately 1.5 million - 10% of Syrian population were Christians. The number is thought to have dropped sharply in recent years, but by how much is unclear. There could now be as few as 300,000 Christians left in Syria today.
Christians predominately live in and around cities of Damascus, Aleppo, Homs, Hama, Latakia and in Hasaka governorate. Most Syrian Christians are members of either Eastern Orthodox Church’s Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East or Syriac Orthodox Church (part of Oriental Orthodox family of churches). Most of the Catholics in Syria belong to the Melkite Greek Catholic Church. There are also a minority of Protestants, including Congregationalist, Presbyterian and Armenian Evangelical Churches.
Like rest of the Syrian population, the Christian community in Syria has been hugely affected by the ongoing civil war and its consequences. Along with other minority groups, such as Druze, Christians are particularly vulnerable to community violence from extremist groups. Huge numbers have fled, leading to a dramatic decline in the number of Christians in Syria.
More than 120 churches and Christian places of worship have been destroyed since Syrian civil war began. But main reason that Christian families are forced to leave is not targeted persecution, but the deteriorating living conditions, lack of employment or education opportunities, escalating living costs and continued dangers caused by fighting.
© eastern_christians (IG)
#archaeohistories
© eastern_christians (IG)
#archaeohistories0:20