In Syria, Christians protest after Christmas tree burning
Burned Christmas tree in Syria. Photo: X video screenshot
On December 24, hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets in Christian neighborhoods of Damascus, protesting the burning of a Christmas tree near Hama. The incident sparked outrage within Syria's Christian community, reports Golos Ameriki.
Protesters marched through the Syrian capital, heading toward the Orthodox Patriarchate building in the Bab Sharqi district. They chanted slogans demanding equal rights for Christians and carried crosses.
One demonstrator told Agence France-Presse: “We are gathered here because there is a lot of injustice toward Christians under the guise of individual actions.”
He added: “Either we live in a country that respects our Christianity and feel safe in it as we did before, or they open the doors of church shelters so we can leave for abroad.”
The protests were triggered by a video circulating on social media showing armed, masked militants setting a Christmas tree on fire in Suqaylabiyah, a predominantly Christian town. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the arsonists were foreigners linked to the Islamist group Ansar al-Tawhid.
Amid the public outrage, the leader of the Islamist coalition Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) issued a statement condemning the actions of the arsonists, emphasizing that they were “not Syrians.” The leader promised to punish those responsible and to have the Christmas tree restored by the next morning.
As reported by the UOJ, international human rights organizations are calling for prayers for Syrian Christians.
Read also
WHO urges securing equal access to IVF for same-sex couples
WHO’s new recommendations substantially broaden the concept of infertility and open the door to widespread use of assisted reproduction, including for same-sex couples and transgender individuals.
In Kniazhychi, brotherhood defends their monastery from seizure
Parishioners and the brotherhood of the UOC Transfiguration Monastery in Kniazhychi succeeded in defending their sacred site from the attempts of security forces and raiders.
UOC Primate congratulates Met. Arseniy on 20 years of episcopal ordination
The Primate of the UOC sent greetings to Metropolitan Arseniy on the anniversary of his personal Pentecost.
UGCC urges faithful to be ready to lay down their lives for Ukraine
The UGCC hierarchs have published a letter to the faithful urging them to cleanse the country of Soviet methods of governance, military organization, and economic management.
Condition of Metropolitan Theodosiy shows first signs of recovery
For the first time since his hospitalization, the health indicators of Metropolitan Theodosiy of Cherkasy have begun to improve.
Court to choose preventive measure for Met. Arseniy in Dnipro on December 5
The prosecutor demands that the detention of the UOC hierarch be extended.