An uncertain future for Syria’s Christian community
July 2025
The Christian community in Syria is one of the oldest in the world – it’s why St Paul, then a persecutor of Christians, was on the road to Damascus when he had his spectacular conversion.
Syria’s long Christian history means it has a rich mix of different traditions – with Syriac Orthodox, Catholic, Assyrian, Chaldean and Armenian Christian communities all found in the country. Unlike other minorities, like Druze, Alawite or Kurds, Christians are scattered all over Syria. Almost every large city or town in Syria has a small Christian community.
Syria's church leaders have long tried to be as politically neutral as possible. But this does not mean the church is not an active part of Syrian society. Embrace supports projects run by Syria’s churches, providing healthcare and psychological support, and the churches also provide a range of education and community services for their neighbours.
But today the future of Syria’s Christians, and Syria’s other minorities, is looking increasingly perilous. As Rev Nadim Nassar of the Awareness Foundation explains in this video, minority communities are facing rising violence and in urgent need of our prayers:
Last month saw an ominous development in the violence
The number of Syria’s Christians, already very small, have been shrinking rapidly since the uprising against the Assad regime in 2011 sparked civil war. The regime change that came with Assad’s fall in December has, so far, not brought an end to the violence and instability. Although the words of tolerance and unity spoken by the transitional government are welcome and bring cause for cautious optimism, the reality on the ground for many is very different.
In the first few months of 2025 there were several horrific incidences of politically motivated violence against Alawite and Druze communities, who were seen to have supported the Assad regime.
The terrorist attack on St Elias Orthodox church in Damascus in June appears to have been motivated by ideology and is an ominous development in the violence.
The new Interior Minister condemned the attack, which left 25 Christians dead and 60 wounded, as a "reprehensible crime”, saying that “These terrorist acts will not stop the efforts of the Syrian state in achieving civil peace”.
As the situation looks increasingly uncertain, prayers are urgently needed
But local Christians fear the attack may be an indicator that Islamist extremist groups are on the rise and that the new government is unable to protect minority communities. There are numerous accounts of Islamist militants entering the Christian neighbourhoods, calling on Christians to convert to Islam, ordering men and women to segregate, and burning restaurants that are serving alcohol.
Last week saw more violence – this time between Druze, Bedouin and government forces, leading to over 500 deaths, including reports of summary executions.
These are incredibly worrying developments. Please keep the minority communities of Syria in your prayers:
Pray the new government can keep its promise of peace and tolerance
Pray that Syria’s Christians will be able to live in safety
Pray for an end to extremist violence
CHRISTIANITY IN SYRIA
Find out more about the history of Christianity in Syria, as well as the challenges Syrian Christians face and the impact they have on their community.