Syria’s Christians Call Off Christmas Celebrations in Solidarity with Gaza
Christmas cheer has deserted the streets of Syria’s cities, where the main churches have limited celebrations to prayers.
"In Palestine, the birthplace of Jesus Christ, people are suffering," the Syriac Catholic Archbishop of Aleppo, Mor Dionysius Antoine Shahda, told AFP.
The northern Syrian city's central district of Azizia is usually home to a bustling festive market and a huge Christmas tree, while its streets are adorned with lights and trinkets.
But this year, the main square is almost empty and there are no Christmas decorations in sight.
"In Syria we cancelled all official celebrations and receptions in our churches in solidarity with the victims of the bombing on Gaza" by Israeli forces, Shahda said.
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The Syriac Catholic Church was not alone, with the leaders of three of Syria's major churches - the Greek Orthodox, Syriac Orthodox and Melkite Greek Catholic patriarchs - announcing they were cancelling Christmas festivities and limiting celebrations to religious ceremonies.
"Given the current circumstances, especially in Gaza, the patriarchs apologize for not receiving Christmas and New Year greetings," the trio said in a joint statement, adding they were limiting ceremonies to "prayers".
More than 20,000 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip since Israeli regime launched its massive air and ground offensive on October 7 amid a complete siege and atrocities tantamount to war crimes.
Source: newarab.com
