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Syrian Churches Were Not Ordered to Cancel Christmas Celebrations

Wesam Abo Marq Wesam Abo Marq
Spirituality & Religion
15th December 2024
Syrian Churches Were Not Ordered to Cancel Christmas Celebrations
Christians are preparing for the 2024 Christmas in Aleppo (Getty)

The Claim

opposition factions ordered churches in Syria to cancel Christmas celebrations, parades, and displays of Saint Nicholas.

Emerging story

Pro-Syrian regime users widely claimed that opposition factions ordered churches in Syria to cancel Christmas celebrations, parades, and displays of Saint Nicholas.

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A supporting image within the article body

Misbar’s Analysis

Misbar investigated the viral claim and found it to be fake.

No official media outlets reported canceling Christmas celebrations after the Syrian regime collapsed.

Christians Prepare for 2024 Christmas in Aleppo, Syria

Contrary to social media users’ baseless claim, Christians in Syria prepare for Christmas celebrations amid leadership change.

TRT World reported that Aleppo's Christian community celebrates hope and tradition this Christmas as the city's new leadership reassures religious minorities, fostering optimism for peaceful coexistence and unity after years of conflict.

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A screenshot of TRT World’s article.

Since anti-regime groups ousted Bashar al-Assad, the new rulers actively engaged with Syria's religious minorities to ease their concerns.

According to TRT World, Georges Sabe recently joined a meeting between the opposition and Christian representatives. He said, “So far, nothing has changed.”

He shared that the new authorities assured them, saying, “'Continue to live normally, you're approaching your Christmas holiday, and nothing will change for you.'”

In response, the community resumed “normal life, with morning and evening masses,” Sabe added.

Moreover, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East issued a statement recently warning against fake news and urging followers to get their official news from their official page of the Patriarchate of Antioch.

The statement reads, “Social media and newly created pages are circulating many news, especially regarding the ecclesiastical situation in Syria. We call our children to draw news from its official source - the page of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East.”

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A screenshot of the Patriarchate of Antioch’s statement (Facebook)

Syrian Opposition Reassures Christian Community

The Syrian opposition factions led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) seized Aleppo recently in a swift uprising against Bashar al-Assad that toppled his regime.

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A screenshot of Al-Monitor’s article.

Although Aleppo’s population of two million is predominantly Muslim, the city is also home to a Christian minority that has significantly diminished since the civil war began in 2011.

Christian community leaders report a sharp decline from an estimated 200,000 Christians, including 50,000 Armenians, to about 30,000 today, with only 10,000 Armenians remaining due to widespread emigration.

HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani visited Aleppo's iconic citadel recently and called on his fighters to “calm the concerns of our people, from all communities,” according to a statement on Telegram.

He emphasized Aleppo’s legacy as “a meeting point for civilisations and cultures” and vowed to preserve its history of diversity.

Al-Golani also addressed residents of Mahardeh, a predominantly Christian town near Hama, urging them not to flee. He pledged to “ensure your protection and safeguard your property,” as his forces advanced on the area. 

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Misbar’s Classification

Fake

Misbar’s Sources

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