Syrian Christians attend first Christmas Eve service since al-Assad’s fall

Syrian Christians person attended Christmas Eve services for the archetypal clip since the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad successful aboriginal December.

In Sednaya, Syria, a ample assemblage gathered adjacent a historical monastery connected Christmas Eve to witnesser the lighting of a towering histrion adorned with glowing greenish lights.

The solemnisation offered a uncommon infinitesimal of joyousness successful a metropolis scarred by much than a decennary of warfare and its infamous prison, wherever tens of thousands were held.

Families and friends stood by the illuminated tree, immoderate wearing Santa hats, others watching from rooftops, portion a set played festive euphony and fireworks lit up the sky.

“This twelvemonth is different, there’s happiness, triumph and a caller commencement for Syria and a caller commencement for Christ,” said attendee Houssam Saadeh.

Another, Joseph Khabbaz, expressed anticipation for unity crossed each sects and religions successful Syria.

The pews of Lady of Damascus Church successful Syria’s superior filled with a mixed congregation of young and old, holding candles arsenic hymns filled the aerial and echoed done the church.

Hours earlier the service, hundreds of protesters successful Damascus had gathered to denounce an incidental successful which a Christmas histrion was burned successful the bluish countryside of Hama governorate successful western-central Syria.

Carrying woody crosses, they chanted, “We are your soldiers, Jesus”, “With our humor and soul, we sacrifice for Jesus,” and “The Syrian radical are one.”