DAMASCUS, Syria — Syrian Christians in Damascus gathered on Tuesday evening to attend Christmas Eve mass at the Lady of Damascus church, their first major celebration following the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad. The service took place under tight security, with church scouts, civil defense personnel, and fighters from the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) surrounding the church.
The heightened measures come amid growing concerns over attacks on Christian sites. On Dec. 18, unidentified gunmen targeted a Greek Orthodox church in Hama, entering the compound, smashing a cross, and vandalizing headstones in the church cemetery, according to a statement by church officials.
Protests over burned Christmas tree
Earlier on Tuesday, hundreds of Christians gathered in eastern Damascus to protest the burning of a Christmas tree in the al-Suqaylabiyah district of Hama Province’s northern countryside. The tree was reportedly set ablaze on Dec. 23, further fueling fears among Syria’s Christian minority.
These incidents have deepened concerns about the safety of Christians under Syria’s new rulers. While Ahmed al-Sharaa, HTS’s de facto leader, has assured Christians and other minority groups that they are free to practice their religion in an HTS-controlled Syria, many remain unconvinced.
Scaling back celebrations
Syrian church leaders have advised Christians to scale back Christmas celebrations this year, reflecting the precarious position of the country’s Christian community. Despite assurances from HTS, the recent attacks highlight the challenges faced by Syria’s new Islamist rulers in building trust with the country’s diverse minorities, many of whom bear the scars of decades of dictatorship and a brutal 13-year civil war.
HTS, a former al Qaeda affiliate, has sought to present itself as a capable governing body, but skepticism remains high among Christian communities, who fear further marginalization and violence under Islamist rule.
