With Christmas drawing near, the Christian community in Syria finds itself gripped by fear and uncertainty under the newly established rule of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group that emerged from the former al-Qaeda affiliate Jabhat al-Nusra. While the new Islamist leadership, headed by Ahmed al-Sharaa, promises safety and freedom for minorities, skepticism runs deep among Christians who have faced decades of brutal dictatorship, 13 years of civil war, and ongoing societal fractures.
Scaling Back Christmas Amid Rising Tensions
Church leaders across Syria are advising their congregations to scale back Christmas celebrations, a decision driven by lingering fears and mistrust. Images of Santa Claus and St. Nicholas are now restricted to church premises, and public festivities such as distributing sweets have been curtailed. Christian leaders have even encouraged modest dress for women to avoid drawing attention.
This atmosphere of caution reflects the complex challenges facing Syria’s new rulers. Sharaa, now trading his jihadist attire for business suits, has publicly assured Christians and other minorities that HTS will not seek revenge against the Alawite-dominated former regime or repress any religious communities. Despite these assurances, many Christians remain unconvinced, haunted by recent incidents and the broader Islamist ideology.
Acts of Intimidation Erode Trust
The challenges of fostering trust were highlighted on December 18, when unidentified gunmen attacked a Greek Orthodox church in Hama, vandalizing a cross and smashing gravestones. Despite swift action by HTS to arrest the vandals, the incident sent shockwaves through the Christian community.
In Damascus, intimidation tactics have only added to the tension. Reuters reporters witnessed SUVs blasting jihadist songs as they passed through Bab Touma, a predominantly Christian neighborhood. Social media also circulated a disturbing image of an armored vehicle in a Christian area, with a chilling message written on its windshield: “Your day is coming, Oh worshippers of the cross.”
Bishop Andrew Bahhi of St. George’s Syriac Orthodox Church called the incidents “deeply worrying,” even as he acknowledged HTS’s quick response in some cases. “The community is watching to see if the groups currently in power are genuinely committed to establishing a civil society that offers equal opportunities for all,” Bahhi said.
Deep Scars of Conflict
For many Christians, these assurances from HTS are hard to accept, given the scars left by years of civil war and targeted violence. Syria’s Christian population, which includes Syriac, Greek, and Armenian Orthodox communities, has seen significant decline due to migration and persecution. Other minorities, such as the Druze, Shi’ites, and Muslim Kurds, share similar fears of Sunni Islamist rule.
The war has left personal scars as well. Emilia Katarina, a Christian mother, lost her eldest son and husband during the conflict. Her son, Firas Azar, disappeared in 2012 after being detained by Assad’s forces. Two years later, her husband was killed when a rebel group shelled their neighborhood, sending shrapnel into their home.
“Whenever I hear a sound at night, I jump. Fear is deeply ingrained in us,” Katarina said, clutching a photograph of her son and sitting next to a portrait of her husband wrapped in the Syrian flag. Her daughter Mary, also wounded in the attack, added, “The ideology does not change in an hour. We are afraid of this ideology.”
HTS’s Efforts to Reassure Minorities
Despite these fears, HTS has attempted to signal its intent to govern inclusively. Shortly after the fall of Assad, an HTS representative met with Christian leaders, including Bishop Bahhi, to assure them of their safety. However, Bahhi remains cautious. “How truthful and serious he is? We don’t know,” he said.
HTS faces an uphill battle not only in convincing Christians but also in managing the presence of other Islamist groups that may not share their stated goals of reconciliation. For many Christians, the proliferation of armed Islamist factions creates an additional layer of insecurity.
Faith Amid Uncertainty
At St. George’s Church, Bishop Bahhi continues to preach resilience to his congregation. In a recent sermon, he urged Christians to hold onto their faith despite the challenges they face. Emilia Katarina, moved to tears, lit a candle in memory of her son and softly prayed, “Maybe God will answer my prayers and bring back my son.”
As Christmas approaches, Syria’s Christians continue to grapple with an uncertain future. While HTS’s actions to address incidents like the church attack in Hama have provided some hope, trust remains elusive. The scars of war, compounded by decades of repression and ideological divisions, run deep.
For now, Syria’s Christian community clings to faith, watching closely to see if the promises of their new rulers will translate into genuine peace and security. Until then, the mood remains somber, with scaled-down celebrations reflecting the precarious reality of life under Syria’s new Islamist leadership.