« Friday (December 6) evening and Saturday noon, we had a common prayer with all the priests, nuns and religious to ask for peace in Syria “, declared Mgr Assadourian. These prayers were held in response to reports of the arrival of rebels in the suburbs of Damascus, after taking other cities such as Aleppo, Hama and Homs.
Faced with the imminence of events and the uncertainty of the situation, preventive measures were taken in the capital. “ We asked all the religious men and women who were in the suburbs to return to their convents or schools. We also visited our parishes », explained the archbishop.
Mgr Georges Assadourian, patriarchal vicar of the Armenian Catholic Church in Damascus © AED
The night of Saturday December 7, 2024 will mark the history of the country. “ It was the most chaotic day in Syria’s history. The president left the country and everything turned into a desert, a country freed from the regime that had been in place for 50 years », affirmed Mgr Assadourian. A situation of uncertainty which has led citizens to seek answers about the future of the Christian community in Damascus. In response, religious leaders gathered at the Armenian Catholic archdiocese to coordinate a common strategy. Archbishop Assadourian confirmed that there had also been contacts with representatives of the new Syrian authorities. Although the planned meeting with a key leader could not take place, a journalist sent by him delivered a reassuring message, assuring that the situation will be calm.
The crucial place of Christians in Syria
Monday, December 9, Bishop Assadourian, accompanied by a Franciscan priest and the local priest, went to the Four Seasons Hotel, now the headquarters of the new political and military leaders of the revolution. During this meeting, the role of Christians in the new Syria was discussed. “ We talked about the Christian presence in Damascus and Syria, and also the role of Christians: will we continue to live and bear witness to our Christianity or not? They assured us that everything would be fine and that we shouldn’t worry », the archbishop told ACN.
Archbishop Assadourian noted the presence of several international ambassadors at the hotel, signaling the global effort to monitor changes in the country.
ACN reaffirms its commitment to continue supporting vulnerable Christian communities in Syria through emergency and spiritual aid. After years of war, poverty and uncertainty, the association remains more than ever alongside Syrian Christians to ensure that their voices are heard and their rights respected.
Maria Lozano
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