A historic monastery in Sednaya, Syria, has been transformed into a symbol of hope and unity as Syrian Christians gathered to attend their first Christmas Eve service since the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad. The event, which took place on December 24th, marked a rare moment of joy in a city ravaged by over a decade of war.
The crowd was filled with families and friends, some wearing festive hats, while others watched from rooftops as a band played lively music and fireworks lit up the sky. Attendees expressed hope for unity across all sects and religions in Syria, with one attendee saying, “This year is different, there’s happiness, victory, and a new birth for Syria and a new birth for Christ.”
In contrast to the protests that erupted hours earlier in Damascus, where hundreds gathered to denounce an incident involving the burning of a Christmas tree, the atmosphere at the monastery was one of peace and celebration. The event served as a powerful reminder of the resilience and strength of Syrian Christians.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2024/12/25/syrians-come-together-for-rare-moment-of-joy