Christian community in Syria faces severe instability and an alarming rise in insecurity nearly two years after the fall of Bashar al-Assad and the rise to power of President Ahmed al-Sharaa. During a recent visit to Spain, Fr. Fadi Azar, a Franciscan from the Custody of the Holy Land who serves in Aleppo, spoke with Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) regarding the daily challenges confronting faithful and families across the country.
Economic collapse and pressure on the Christian community in Syria
Widespread poverty caused by severe economic deterioration and inflation has driven a surge in criminality. Following the dismissal of civil servants and military personnel who served under the previous regime, many parents and young people remain unemployed. This atmosphere has led to frequent kidnappings, looting, and residential thefts. Fr. Fadi Azar noted:
“Insecurity has increased a lot, and we have seen a rise in kidnappings and looting by criminal groups. People used to leave their doors unlocked, but now they have been beefing up security in their homes because even the electricity and water meters are being stolen. Besides this, we have seen some cases of aggression against the Christian community, such as the 2025 attack on the Orthodox Church of Saint Elias in Damascus, leading to an increase in fear”.
In addition to targeted attacks, Christian cemeteries have been vandalized, church walls have been defaced with graffiti, and radical Muslim groups have deployed vehicles with loudspeakers calling on Christians to convert. Job discrimination has further restricted career opportunities, prompting many young people and families to consider emigrating—even to countries in Africa—in search of basic peace and stability.
Pastoral role and ACN support initiatives
Amidst severe hardship, the Catholic Church continues to provide medical dispensaries, food, clothing, and educational supplies alongside its sacramental ministry. Fr. Azar highlighted the vital contribution of ACN programs, including the «A Drop of Milk» project, school scholarships, and Mass stipends for local clergy:
“The Church stands by the people, supporting them, giving hope, listening and trying to address the many needs. Much of this activity is only possible because of institutions such as Aid to the Church in Need. The support for priests all over the country, through Mass stipends, is crucial. Without this help it would be impossible to continue to live and carry out the Church’s mission in Syria”.
In Aleppo, parish life remains the core of the Christian community, providing sports, art centers, and catechism classes. Following the attack on Saint Elias Church in Damascus, local Christians demonstrated remarkable spiritual resilience, gathering in full churches the very next day to pray for both the victims and their persecutors.
Testimonies of faith and message to international benefactors
Fr. Azar shared how the realities of war have led many to rediscover faith and seek deeper meaning in life, recounting the conversion of a local father:
“He was not a Christian, though he allowed his children to be baptised. Thanks to the witness of his children, seeing them pray and participate in the Eucharist, he began to change. Recently he told me: ‘Fr. Fadi, now I see that it is Jesus who protects my family. I want to follow Jesus’. Amidst so many difficulties, stories like these give me the strength to persevere”.
In conclusion, Fr. Azar appealed to the global community for prayer and sustained solidarity:
“Firstly, I ask for prayers. Please pray for Syria and do not forget us. Syria is a country where our Christian faith was formed. I also encourage everyone to continue to support us through ACN, which allows us to move forward. Without the support of so many of you, we would not be able to survive”.
