As the festive season approaches, Syria’s Christian community is grappling with a sense of unease and fear under the newly established Islamist leadership. Despite assurances of safety and religious freedom from the de facto rulers, the scars of war and decades of repression weigh heavily on the minds of many. Church leaders are taking precautionary steps by advising their congregations to scale back Christmas celebrations, reflecting the deep-seated mistrust of Syria’s new rulers.
Ahmed al-Sharaa, leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)—a former al-Qaeda affiliate now in control—has promised to create an inclusive society where all religious minorities, including Christians, can live without fear. Shedding his jihadist past, al-Sharaa now presents himself in tailored business suits and has repeatedly reassured Western diplomats that HTS will not pursue revenge against the former Assad regime or repress minorities.
Despite these overtures, Christian leaders and residents remain skeptical. “The community is watching to see if the groups currently in power are genuinely committed to establishing a civil society that offers equal opportunities for all,” said Bishop Andrew Bahhi of St. George’s Syriac Orthodox Church. His statement captures the cautious hope and lingering doubt that many Christians feel as they try to navigate a new and uncertain era.
Incidents Fueling Fear Among Christians
While HTS has made attempts to project an image of tolerance, recent events have done little to reassure the Christian population. On December 18, unidentified gunmen attacked a Greek Orthodox church in Hama, attempting to destroy a cross and vandalizing a cemetery by smashing headstones. The attack sparked outrage and heightened fears among Christians. Though HTS swiftly arrested the perpetrators and forced them to apologize, the incident has left an indelible mark on the already fragile sense of security within the Christian community.
In Damascus, the predominantly Christian neighborhood of Bab Touma has seen unsettling displays of intimidation. Reuters reporters witnessed SUVs blasting jihadist songs as they cruised through the area, while photos on social media showed armored vehicles bearing ominous messages such as “Your day is coming, Oh worshippers of the cross.” These incidents have compounded the apprehension among Christians, who worry about both HTS’s intentions and the influence of other Islamist militant groups operating in the country.
Trust is Hard to Build in a War-Scarred Nation
The roots of mistrust run deep in Syria’s Christian community, which has endured decades of marginalization under the Assad regime and brutal violence during the civil war. For Christians like Emilia Katarina, the pain is personal and enduring. Her son, Firas Azar, disappeared in 2012 after being detained by Assad’s forces at a checkpoint. Two years later, her husband was killed, and she and her daughter were injured when a rebel group shelled their neighborhood.
“Whenever I hear a sound at night, I jump. Fear is deeply ingrained in us,” Katarina shared, sitting near a portrait of her late husband draped in the Syrian flag. Her daughter added, “The ideology does not change in an hour. We are afraid of this ideology.” For families like theirs, the transition to a new government under HTS has not eased their trauma. Instead, it has introduced a new layer of uncertainty.
Bishop Bahhi recalls meeting with HTS representatives shortly after Assad’s fall, where promises of safety were made to Christian leaders. However, he remains skeptical, saying, “How truthful and serious he is? We don’t know.” The Christian community’s hesitation is further compounded by fears of other armed Islamist groups, whose actions and ideologies remain unpredictable.
Modest Celebrations Amid Deep Wounds
Out of caution, Christian leaders have urged their followers to tone down traditional Christmas festivities this year. Bishop Bahhi has advised young people to dress modestly, keep depictions of Father Christmas or St. Nicholas confined to church premises, and avoid distributing sweets on the streets as is customary. These self-imposed restrictions underscore the anxiety that persists among Christians under Islamist rule.
“The sight of bearded armed men patrolling the streets does little to evoke trust among Christians scarred by Syria’s recent past,” Bahhi remarked. Many Christians remain haunted by the violence of the civil war, during which ethnic and religious minorities—including Kurds, Shi’ites, and various Christian sects—feared for their survival under the threat of Sunni Islamist dominance.
A Community Clinging to Faith
Amid the uncertainty, the Christian community continues to turn to their faith for solace. At St. George’s Syriac Orthodox Church, Katarina sat through a sermon by Bishop Bahhi, tears streaming down her face. After the service, she lit a candle and whispered a quiet prayer for the return of her missing son.
“Maybe God will answer my prayers and bring back my son,” she said, her voice filled with both hope and despair. For families like hers, faith offers a fragile lifeline in the face of overwhelming loss and fear.
While HTS’s actions to address incidents like the Hama church attack and the threatening vehicle messages are seen as steps in the right direction, they are far from enough to erase the deep-seated suspicion harbored by Syria’s Christian population. Trust, as many say, will take time—time that is scarred by memories of war and fear of the unknown future.
As Christmas approaches, Syria’s Christians are left to grapple with a complex reality. While some hold onto hope for a peaceful coexistence under the new regime, many remain wary, scarred by years of violence and betrayal. Their muted celebrations this year reflect a community that is watching and waiting, searching for signs of genuine change amid the lingering shadows of a brutal past.
