Post by : Badri Ariffin

As Christmas approaches, the faithful gathered at Mar Elias Church on the outskirts of Damascus to honor those lost in a devastating attack that struck Syria's Christian community.

On Tuesday evening, hundreds came together for Mass in the Greek Orthodox church located in Dweil'a, where a suicide bombing in June claimed the lives of at least 25 individuals during Sunday prayers. This service embodied both sorrow and a resilient faith, embodying a spirit to rise above tragic circumstances.

In a display of hope, attendees illuminated a vibrant Christmas tree made of neon lights in the church courtyard. Instead of traditional decorations, the tree bore the photographs of the victims, now revered as martyrs within the community.

The remembrance included three individuals celebrated as heroes: brothers Boutros and Gergis Bechara along with fellow congregant Milad Haddad. Church members recalled how these men bravely confronted the assailant, tackling him just moments before he detonated his bomb.

“Without their courage, it’s likely no one would have survived,” shared Imad Haddad, Milad’s brother, during the memorial service. He expressed the significance of gathering for prayer, stating, “This is about peace and love, showing our strength in faith amidst adversity.”

Holidays Shadowed by Grief

For those mourning loved ones, the Christmas spirit feels absent. Thana al-Masoud, whose husband Boutros was killed in the attack, described her desperate search for him post-explosion.

“I couldn’t find him anywhere—alive or intact,” she mentioned, revealing the trauma behind her loss. “There is no celebration this year, or the next, or the one after that.”

However, she finds consolation in her faith, believing her husband and the others died heroically to save lives. “Our Lord chose them to be saints,” she reflected, though the ache of loss remains sharp.

A Startling Attack, Lingering Fears

This bombing, the first significant assault on a church in Syria in several years, has reignited fears among a dwindling Christian population amid ongoing strife. This incident bears weight as the new Sunni Islamist-led leadership attempts to reassure religious minorities after the regime change.

Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa has condemned attacks on minorities but faces challenges in controlling armed factions assimilating into government forces. The past year has seen several such violent outbreaks.

Authorities attributed the church bombing to an Islamic State cell, suggesting connections to planned strikes against a Shiite shrine, although IS has not claimed responsibility.

Once, before the civil war in 2011, Christians constituted around 10% of Syria's population. Ongoing violence has led many to flee, and uncertainty looms for the families that remain.

Faith, Grief, and Hope for Peace

Juliette Alkashi, who lost her husband to the attack, revealed that grief has become an unyielding presence in her life. She returned to Syria in 2018 to marry him amid the ongoing conflict, now focusing on the well-being of her three-year-old son.

“I have accepted whatever fate God has in store,” she stated. “If someone dies while praying in church, that was their destiny.”

For others, the violence has only intensified their faith. Survivor Hadi Kindarji recounted witnessing smoke envelop the church and felt a divine presence amidst the turmoil. “God was there with us,” he recalled.

The church's priest, Yohanna Shehadeh, admitted that fear continues to loom large. “Fear is natural,” he said. “It affects everyone, regardless of faith.”

As Christmas nears, the congregation at Mar Elias Church comes together—not to celebrate, but to memorialize and pray—supporting one another in hope that peace can one day flourish in Syria.

#Global News