Syrian Orthodox archbishop: Christian increasingly being targeted by rebels

January 28, 2014

A leading Syrian Orthodox archbishop told Fox News that Christians are increasingly coming under attack by Syrian rebel factions.

“At the beginning of the Syrian crisis we didn’t have a real problem against Christians, but nowadays because of the growing radical groups, Christians are being targeted,” said Archbishop Dionysius Jean Kawak, who is in charge of the Syrian Orthodox patriarchate’s office in Damascus.

“At the beginning of the conflict, Kawak said Christians tried to be neutral, but wanted some change in the political system,” according to the Fox News report. “However, Kawak said they discovered the rebellion was ‘somehow an Islamic movement,’ and stepped back.”

CatholicCulture.org

1/29/2014

See also
Young Christian killed and beheaded by jihadists Young Christian killed and beheaded by jihadists Young Christian killed and beheaded by jihadists Young Christian killed and beheaded by jihadists
Islamist groups have killed and beheaded a young Christian man, seriously wounding another.
All shrines of Ma'loula either destroyed or desecrated All shrines of Ma'loula either destroyed or desecrated All shrines of Ma'loula either destroyed or desecrated All shrines of Ma'loula either destroyed or desecrated
A radical Jabhat al-Nusra "opposition" group, which occupied the small Christian town of Ma'loula in Syria in the last months of 2013, desecrated absolutely all shrines of the town.
Two Christians beheaded in Idlib in Syria Two Christians beheaded in Idlib in Syria Two Christians beheaded in Idlib in Syria Two Christians beheaded in Idlib in Syria
Islamists from "DAASH" ("The Islamic State of Iraq and Great Syria") have beheaded two Christians detained by them—Armenians from the village of Deir Hassan (al-Dana, Idlib).
70,000 Christians killed for their faith in 2013 70,000 Christians killed for their faith in 2013 70,000 Christians killed for their faith in 2013 70,000 Christians killed for their faith in 2013
According to the statistics of the previous year, 100,000 Christians were killed in 2012. The situation in 2013 has not become less dramatic.
Prince Charles speaks up for persecuted Christians Prince Charles speaks up for persecuted Christians Prince Charles speaks up for persecuted Christians Prince Charles speaks up for persecuted Christians
Dubbed by the media as an “Arab Spring” or “Arab Awakening,” these events in the Middle East must be reexamined, as they more closely represent a “Tragedy for Minorities” rather than the democratic rebirth that the former names seem to describe.
‘Whole families murdered’: Syrian rebels execute over 80 civilians outside Damascus ‘Whole families murdered’: Syrian rebels execute over 80 civilians outside Damascus ‘Whole families murdered’: Syrian rebels execute over 80 civilians outside Damascus ‘Whole families murdered’: Syrian rebels execute over 80 civilians outside Damascus
Over 80 civilians in a town northwest of the Syrian capital of Damascus have been executed by Islamist rebels. Many others were kidnapped to be used as human shields.
The slaughter and torture of Christians: not a priority for the Government, Labour or DfID The slaughter and torture of Christians: not a priority for the Government, Labour or DfID The slaughter and torture of Christians: not a priority for the Government, Labour or DfID The slaughter and torture of Christians: not a priority for the Government, Labour or DfID
"One hundred thousand Christians will be massacred this year because of their beliefs." Last Tuesday, with these words, Jim Shannon MP (DUP) began a Commons debate on the unfashionable crime against humanity.
Over 60 churches and monasteries destroyed in Syria Over 60 churches and monasteries destroyed in Syria Over 60 churches and monasteries destroyed in Syria Over 60 churches and monasteries destroyed in Syria
Militants in Syria have destroyed over 60 Christian churches and monasteries, and more than 70 thousand Orthodox residents of Homs, and more than a half the Christians of Aleppo have left their homes.
'Extremists Are Exterminating Christians' in the Middle East, Says Russian Orthodox Church 'Extremists Are Exterminating Christians' in the Middle East, Says Russian Orthodox Church 'Extremists Are Exterminating Christians' in the Middle East, Says Russian Orthodox Church 'Extremists Are Exterminating Christians' in the Middle East, Says Russian Orthodox Church
The Russian Orthodox Church announced it intends to participate in the second International Meeting of the Clergy on the Settlement of the Syrian Crisis.

Subscribe
to our mailing list

* indicates required
×