Greek church in Syria cancels Christmas celebrations after ouster of government

The Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch in Syria has announced the cancellation of Christmas and other New Year celebrations, citing “current security conditions” after the fall of President Bashar al-Assad’s government.

According to a Thursday statement released by Parish of St. Elijah the Zealot Church in Sahnaya, the celebrations will be limited to prayers and lighting of candles until "security and safety prevail" in the country.

The decision, made based on the directives of the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch, John X, is aimed to “prevent any security problems resulting from individual mistakes."

The statement also stressed the need for a "constitution based on citizenship" drafted by “all Syrian forces and national movements in order to reach a free, democratic, civil Syria.”

The announcement came as gunmen opened fire at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Hama on Wednesday, and graves at a nearby cemetery were vandalized.

The attack reportedly follows the vandalism of Hagia Sophia Greek Orthodox Church of Suqaylabiyah on December 12.

That came just few days after the fall of Assad’s government by armed opposition groups, led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) militants.

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