Syrian Churches Quietly Meet Following Violent Attack 

While Syrian Christians usually celebrate Easter with parades and various children’s activities, no celebrations took place this year. Christians simply attended prayer meetings inside their churches. 

This follows an incident that happened in a town in central Syria on March 26. Two Sunni men from a nearby town entered the Greek Orthodox town of Suqaylabiyah and reportedly harassed a Christian woman. 

Though they were extricated from the town, they returned the next day with gunmen who rode into town, firing gunshots into the air. They vandalized cars, damaged shopfronts, homes, and vehicles while residents hid inside buildings. The attackers threatened and insulted the townspeople. 

Government forces eventually came to put an end to the incident, though some officials reportedly partook in the violence. No casualties were reported. 

Greek Orthodox, Syriac Orthodox, and Catholic patriarchs in Syria met to discuss the attack and increasing violence against Christians. On March 29, they released a joint statement on Facebook, calling for the government to control weapons, maintain security, and protect all citizens regardless of religion.  

They concluded, “On the occasion of the upcoming feasts, the Patriarchs extended their blessings and greetings to the faithful, while directing that celebrations be limited exclusively to prayers within the churches.” 

Mervyn Thomas, the founder and president of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, publicly condemned the event.  

“We urge the international community to call on the Syrian government to fulfill its obligation to protect all citizens,” he said, “and produce measurable improvements in human rights.” 

Persecution against believers has been on the rise following the fall of the Assad regime in 2024 and the rise of the Sunni-Islamic extremist group. Though Open Doors ranked Syria as the 18th most dangerous place to be a Christian in 2025, it rose to the Top 10 after the new constitution enforced Islamic law. 

Christian Emergency Alliance posted on X: “Pray for the Christians of Syria — they need immediate help.” 

Story by Bella Agnello 

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