The Suffering of Syrian Christians

An Urgent Call For Help

Prepared By:

The Syrian American LeagueJanuary 2013

Syria in the Bible

• Christianity started in Syria By St Paul.

• “But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall”. (Acts 9-25)

The Wall where Paul Escaped in a Basket

Ananias Church Straight Street, Damascus

The Journey of St. Paul

• At the time, Christians were called Assyrians.

• They spoke the Aramaic language, which developed into the Assyrian language.

• This is true of many Syrian villages to this day.

Development of Denominations

• The Greek influence a large portion became Orthodox

• The Roman influence saw the growth of the Catholic Church (Melkite) in Syria

• By the end of the 19th century, missionaries helped the growth of different Protestant denominations (Presbyterian, Baptist, Alliance, Pentecostal, among others) in Syria.

Development of Denominations (2)

Development of Denominations (3)

The Presbyterian School in Homs, 1855

Presbyterian School in Homs(est. 1855)

Catholic School in Syria

• Due to the lack of official census, there are no exact statistics of today’s Christian population in Syria.

• However, Christians are estimated to constitute around 10% of the general population estimated at 23 millions. (i.e. 2.3 million Christians)

• Christians in Syria enjoy freedom of worship, and each sect performs their own civic practices as protected by the current constitution .

Syria the Center

• Damascus has been the headquarters for all the various Christian denominations since Turkey annexed Antioch in 1939.

• The Patriarchal Seat in Damascus is representative of the entire LEVANT region.

• Despite various threats, all Churches insist on keeping the seats of their headquarters in Syria for historical, religious and social considerations.

Presbyterian Church in Homs… Before

The Threat is Real

• As the crisis erupted, the Christians of Syria adhered to their longstanding conviction not to take sides or get involved in any conflict.

• However, the rise of fundamentalism led to unjust accusations. They became intentional targets for fundamentalists and terrorists:

The Threat is Real (2)

– Tens of churches were destroyed, bombed and/or looted.

– Thousands Of Christians were arbitrarily killed.

– Hundreds Of Christians were kidnapped. Their whereabouts are still unknown.

– Thousands of Christians families were forced out of their homes and villages.

– Thousands of Christians fled and became refugees inside and outside of Syria.

Presbyterian Church Homs Now!!

Catholic Church in Homs

• Destruction of the Presbyterian Church in Aleppo

Catholic Church in Aleppo

Kevork Church

Aleppo

Armenian Church Aleppo

An Orthodox Church

Church in Darya, near Damascus

Deja Vu

• The Christians in Syria are facing multitude of threats. They are living what their brethren in the region faced throughout history.

• Christians in Jerusalem today constitute less than 1% of the city’s population.

• Christians in Iraq count about 2% of the Iraqi population, down from about 10% in 2003.

• Christians are unwillingly fleeing their homes, leaving behind all they had.

Homs Bab Al Sbaa

Homs; Example of Christian Life under the “Liberators”

• There are 7 churches in the old section of Homs (area less than one square kilometer) representing all denominations (Orthodox, catholic, Eastern Assyrian, Catholic Assyrian, Jesuit monastery, Presbyterian and Alliance).

• Today, only ONE is still functional.

• Only ONE pastor is able to work.

• Services, including funerals, are not allowed

The Seat of the Patriarch of the Assyrian Catholic Church in Homs

Desecration of The Tablets in the Presbyterian Church, Homs

Umm Alzinnar Church

Umm Alzinnar Church

Orthodox Arch diesis in Homs

Prohibition of Practice, Example of Aleppo

• Right after the “Liberators” destroyed the Presbyterian Church in Aleppo, the Assyrian Church offered them full services.

• The “Liberators” threatened them with destruction if true to their offer.

The Presbyterian Church, Aleppo

Other Examples

In the town of Al-Qusayr, near Homs, the Kasouha family was obliterated:

– A father, Wadieh, and his two sons were killed.– The “liberators” then sprayed the house with bullets

killing the rest of the family.– The Kasouhas were paraded as an example to the

rest of the town.– AlQusayr was occupied by the “liberators” for weeks

forcing its Christian occupants to flee.

Other Examples

In Rableh, a nearby town;

• 150 Christians were kidnapped in one single day.

• There fate is still unknown.

Refugees and Support

• Many churches in less affected areas welcomed the refugees From the “liberated” areas.

• Convents and Monasteries are overwhelmed beyond capacity.

• The government arranged for shelters in schools, arenas and public places.

• Families are helping each other.

Displaced

• Hundreds of thousands of Christians were displaced.

• Wherever the rebels are able, they target Christians. They are unashamed of displaying pleasure of their deeds.

• Most Christians flee those areas to nearby villages, leaving all they have behind.

The Alter at an Orthodox Church

• In conclusion, let me say the following:– The Christians of Syria are in danger of extinction.– The Christians of Syria need our help.

• We need to treat the injured, help the displaced and feed the hungry. This is a rough winter and the needs are urgent.

• We need to appeal to all concerned to save the Christians of Syria, return them to their homes and protect them.

• Most importantly, we need to pray for them and for peace. They need our support.

SAL is Helping• Many have already provided much appreciated support. However, much more is

needed.

• We have teams on the ground are assessing the needs of different communities, all over the country.

• Sanctions hurt the abilities of Syrian expatriates to personally help. Emergency relief is exempt and will be applied here. Nevertheless, there is a need to communicate to our government that arbitrary sanctions are only hurting the people of Syria, mostly the Christians.

• The Red Cross and their affiliates in Syria are a common denominator and will provide all the necessary help for proper equitable distribution.

• All support and distribution of needed goods and services will be dealt with total transparency and accountability.

Certification and Accountability• Donations will be collected to the accounts of the Syrian American

League, Inc. • A committee in Syria is finalizing specific needs in different regions.• Donations will be transferred to the Red Crescent Society in Syria (a

full member of the International Committee of the Red Cross) with the understanding that distribution will be according to SAL’s plans.

• A team from SAL will supervise distribution of relief goods certifying a proper and transparent process.

• Video and still pictures will be documenting distribution for publication.

• A full financial accountability will be published.

All politics aside; let’s think of the human suffering.

We can all help.

Let’s all pray for peace.

Prepared By:

The Syrian American League, Inc.

EIN 45-4680036