Faith
Tragic Damascus Attack Spotlights Christian Persecution
Faith Facts
- The funeral of a 19-year-old Christian girl in Damascus, killed in a church bombing, has become a symbol of the ongoing plight facing Syria’s Christian minority.
- Extremists have systematically targeted Christian communities in Syria for decades, causing drastic population decline and forcing thousands to seek asylum.
- Nuri Kino, a Syriac Orthodox journalist and advocate, urges the U.S. to attach religious freedom benchmarks to aid and diplomatic ties with Syria’s new government.
The bombing of the Mar Elias Church in Damascus, which killed a young Christian woman and over two dozen others, highlights the suffering endured by believers in Syria.
Christians in Syria have seen their numbers dwindle due to violence, destruction of churches, and fear for their safety.
Nuri Kino recalled about the slain teenager.
“At her funeral, her mother held her hand through the coffin window as church bells tolled.”
“Friends and family threw sweets on her coffin, a wedding tradition, since she would not be able to become a real bride.”
The decline of Syria’s Christian population, once nearly 2 million strong, threatens the very fabric of the nation’s ancient heritage and testifies to the dangers of unchecked persecution.
Recent changes in Syria’s leadership raise concerns about protections for religious minorities.
Kino appealed for firm action rooted in faith and moral duty, proposing that U.S. aid and engagement be tied to clear standards for religious freedom, independent oversight, and protection for holy sites.
He also recommended appointing a special envoy to stand for the rights of Christians and other minorities on the ground in Syria.
“Christians refuse to abandon 2,000 years of faith and memory in their beloved motherland. But fear and hopelessness are pushing them to leave.”
“Thousands have applied for asylum,”
Kino cautioned.
America has a unique opportunity to champion justice and protect the legacy of faith in Syria.
Let us continue to lift up our persecuted brothers and sisters in prayer, and urge our leaders to defend freedom for all.