Syrian Christians Attend First Mass Since Assad’s Ouster, Express Hope for Future
LATAKIA, SYRIA – Dec. 17 – In the northwestern port town of Latakia, Christian worshippers gathered at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral on Sunday, attending their first Mass since the dramatic overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad a week prior. A sense of cautious optimism permeated the service, as congregants hoped the new, largely Sunni Muslim leadership would respect their religious freedom.
Last Sunday, church authorities had advised against attending services due to the upheaval as rebel forces, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former al-Qaeda affiliate, swept into Damascus, ending five decades of Assad family rule. This week, however, the doors reopened, and church bells rang out across the country.
The swift collapse of the Assad regime has left Syrians in a state of both celebration and uncertainty. In Damascus’ Umayyad Square, celebrations continued for a third day following the rebels’ takeover, while elsewhere, the fragile transition raised concerns about the future of the nation’s diverse religious and ethnic groups.
“In the aftermath of the astonishing collapse of the al-Assad dynasty, long-suffering Syrians should be allowed a moment of joy and celebration,” said Daniel Corrou, S.J., regional director of Jesuit Refugee Service Middle East and North Africa, speaking from Beirut.
Despite HTS’s past as a radical Islamist group, early signs have offered a glimmer of hope. Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the leader of HTS, has made conciliatory gestures and public comments, prompting cautious optimism. “What we are seeing is that this new government has several years of experience in Idlib, [where it] was a moderating force. It was open to ethnic and religious minorities. It did governance reasonably well in a difficult situation,” Father Corrou noted.
Cardinal Mario Zenari, the apostolic nuncio to Syria, told Vatican News, “Thank God, this transition happened without bloodshed, without the carnage that was feared. Now the path ahead is steep—those who have taken power have promised to respect everyone and to build a new Syria. We hope they will keep these promises.”
Bajhat Karakach, O.F.M., a Franciscan friar in Aleppo, explained to Vatican News that many Christians, like other Syrians, were “completely exhausted by living under the regime,” citing a lack of development and economic growth. He also noted that in recent years, HTS had shown increasing tolerance towards Christians, even returning confiscated property.
Reports from the ground indicate relative stability in areas under HTS control, with businesses reopening and no immediate signs of widespread persecution of minorities. Father Corrou confirmed that JRS programs, suspended during the offensive, would resume this week.
However, significant challenges remain. Syria is fragmented, with various militias, including ISIS-related groups, controlling different regions. The ability of the new leadership to unify the country and address the deep-seated ethnic and religious tensions remains to be seen.
The power transition involves complex interactions with regional and global powers. The United States, maintaining a small troop presence, has conducted strikes against ISIS sites. Israel has launched bombing campaigns to prevent weapons from falling into militia hands.
The international community is also grappling with how to respond. The U.N. envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, has called for a swift end to Western sanctions, while others have urged the new leaders to respect the rights of minorities and women.
The future of Syria remains uncertain. The path ahead is fraught with challenges, but for the Christians gathered in Latakia and across the country, this Sunday’s Mass represented a flicker of hope for a new chapter in their nation’s history. As one worshipper, Jihad Raffoul, stated, “They are promising us that government will be formed soon and, God willing, things will become better because we got rid of the tyrant.”