Resources
Syria’s IDPs Live Amidst Ancient Christian Sites
Publication Date: 30/12/2021
Source: Persecution - International Christian Concern
The historic Christian ruins of Sarjableh and Babisqa are now home to some of Syria’s internally displaced persons. There are some 2.8 million displaced people in northwest Syria, with only 1.7 million of them in sites for IDPs. Families who struggle to locate places to live utilize historic Christian sites, once attractions to locals and tourists, to set up their tents.
Islam, Christianity Alike in Essence: Iranian President
Publication Date: 25/12/2021
Source: Tasnim News Agency
There is no difference between the true core of Islam and Christianity, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said, hoping that all Christians would grasp the opportunity to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ (PBUH).
From Iran, a glimmer of hope to start the year
Author: Ellis Heasley
Publication Date: 10/1/2022
Source: Sight Magazine
The festive season in Iran can often be a time of anxiety and caution for many of the country’s Christians, and especially for Christian converts. In recent years, the government has conducted annual raids, described ironically as a “Christmas present”, and has used the period as an opportunity to arrest, imprison or sentence Christians during a time of celebration.
Nine Iranian Christians released from jail
Author: Ben Zion Gad
Publication Date: 5/1/2022
Source: The Jerusalem Post
Pastor Matthias Abdulreza Ali Haghnejad from the Church of Iran was initially sentenced to five years in prison – along with eight other members of the church.
A church leader in Iran was among nine Christians released from Iranian prison within the last week. The release is pending a review of their sentences.
Crushing poverty is now biggest threat to Christians in Syria
Author: Maria Lozano
Publication Date: 2/1/2022
Source: Aleteia
Caring for Christian internally displaced people (IDPs) from Northern Syria, Father Hugo Alaniz is a missionary priest of the Institute of the Word Incarnate. An Argentinian, he came to Syria at the end of 2017. During an interview with Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Father Hugo recalled traveling at the height of the civil war from Damascus to Aleppo, a city that was still under the control of rebel groups. “It was a very long and dangerous journey. We traveled through the desert because the main road was not fit to travel on. I witnessed a desolate scene, with many abandoned towns and villages, and in the outskirts of Aleppo nothing but ruins.
Youth exodus takes joy out of festivities in Syria
Publication Date: 25/12/2021
Source: Arab News
Inside a Syrian monastery desecrated by Daesh, Matanios Dalloul stood alone by the shattered altar where a once-thriving community celebrated Christmas before the threat of death drove them out.
Christian denominations in Syria celebrate Christmas
Publication Date: 25/12/2021
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency
Christian denominations in Syria celebrated Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ, the messenger of love and peace, by holding masses and prayers in the churches and worship places in all Syrian provinces.
Middle Eastern Christians: A minority in numbers only
Author: Harry Hagopian
Publication Date: 31/12/2022
Source: The New Arab
Being in my groaning fifties, I am long enough in the tooth to know that faith is not usually static. It is often a struggle, at times frustrating and at others rewarding, that seeks constant renewal. Being myself an Armenian member of a numerically-challenged 'minority' community, I suppose I am constantly tempted by an ethnocentrism that could easily seek reassurance in an insular or even sectarian approach to faith that claims Caesar for everyone but God for oneself!
