For the first time since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime earlier this month, Syrian Christians attended Christmas Eve services in Damascus under the governance of the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). The service at the Lady of Damascus Church offered both a glimmer of hope and a stark reminder of the challenges faced by religious minorities under the new administration.
Amid tight security, the church filled with worshippers—young and old—holding candles as hymns resonated throughout the sanctuary. Outside, HTS vehicles stood guard to prevent potential attacks on Christian sites, a growing concern since the regime’s overthrow.
The service came against the backdrop of heightened tensions, including a protest earlier in the day where hundreds of Christians gathered in Damascus to denounce the recent burning of a Christmas tree in Hama’s northern countryside. Protesters carried crosses and chanted slogans such as “We are your soldiers, Jesus” and “The Syrian people are one,” demanding protection and justice following the spate of attacks on Christian symbols and churches.
Laila Farkouh, one of the protesters, voiced the community’s anger: “We are protesting to demand our rights and denounce… the burning of the Christmas tree and attacks on churches. We do not accept this.”
HTS, now the ruling authority, has attempted to reassure Western observers and religious minorities of its commitment to tolerance. Leaders have pledged not to seek revenge against the Alawite-dominated Assad regime or to suppress other religious groups. However, many Christians remain unconvinced, citing incidents such as the December 18 attack on a Greek Orthodox church in Hama, where gunmen fired shots, desecrated a cross, and vandalized gravestones.
The Christmas service in Damascus was a moment of resilience for the Christian community, but the future remains uncertain as they navigate life under HTS rule and continued threats to their safety and religious freedom.
