Christmas message: Peace and hope for persecuted Christians in the Middle East

Christmas message: Peace and hope for persecuted Christians in the Middle East

On the second Christmas holiday, Auxiliary Bishop Otto Georgen was given a moving sermon in the Speyer Cathedral. In his lecture, he addressed the persecution of Christians and the disregard for human rights in Syria, Iraq and Lebanon. Georgen made it clear that these persecutions were not a new phenomenon and referred to historical biblical perspectives that are already documented in the history of apostles and in the gospel.

he paid special attention to the current humanitarian crises, especially the terrorist attack of Hamas on Israel and the resulting suffering of the people in the Gaza Strip and West Bank. The Palestinian Christians in the Middle East, which suffer from the devastating conditions, were emphasized by Georgen as particularly affected. He urged the desperate faces of the people and asked the question of whether one could really celebrate Christmas under such tragic circumstances.

The Situation of Christians in Syria

In another context, Bishop Armash Nalbandian expressed the Armenian Orthodox Church in Damascus positively about the current situation in Syria. He reported a general joy of changing power in the country and emphasized that his faith community is currently not afraid of persecution. The new rulers are tolerant, although there are also concerns about future developments. The Christians, who were often considered to be regime regime during the Assad rule, suffered individual persecution, which makes the situation complicated.

nalbandian expressed the desire that Christians in Syria are recognized as part of society and this recognition is reflected in a new constitution. Despite these optimistic tones, human rights experts express concern for worrying forecasts about the future situation of Christians. Former IGFM spokesman Martin Lessenthin warned that the new rulers could possibly put the Christian minority under pressure. Marline Yunan, a Syrian Christian, also reported on the pressure that Christians were exposed to in the regime.

Before the civil war 2011, the Christian population provided about 7% of the 21 million Syrians, whereby current figures are difficult to determine. It is estimated that a maximum of 500,000 Christians in Syria, an important center of Christianity, still live with a rich theological and monastic tradition.

The largest Christian community in Syria is the Syrian Orthodox Church with the patriarchy in Damascus, followed by Greek Orthodox and Armenian Orthodox Christians as well as Roman Catholic faithful. The oldest Christian sites are located in the region, including Maalula, Derya, Homs, Aleppo and Damascus.

The sermon of Auxiliary Bishop Georgenens and the assessments of Bishop Nalbandian illustrate the complex and challenging situation for Christians in the region, while they are emphasizing the hope of peace and reconciliation.

Further information on this topic can be found in the articles of Deutschlandfunk .