Western Nations Abandon Syrian Christians, Says Mother Superior
According to abbess Agnes Mariam de la Croix, the EU has not provided the necessary political support for Syria’s Christian community. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
The EU has not provided authentic political support to Syria’s Christian community, claims abbess Agnes Mariam de la Croix, mother superior at the Monastery of Saint James the Mutilated in Syria.
In remarks made during an interview with RTN on Tuesday, she highlighted that Syria’s Christian community has consistently lacked backing from the West, especially from Europe, particularly in the wake of a distressing incident where a Christmas tree was burned by a group of Islamist fighters in the Syrian Orthodox city of Hama.
The incident triggered widespread anger among local residents, leading hundreds to protest in the Christian neighborhoods of Damascus on Monday. These demonstrations were fueled by apprehensions of further crackdowns against Syria’s religious minorities.
Footage that circulated on social media depicted hooded individuals setting ablaze a Christmas tree at a traffic circle in Al-Suqalabiyah, a town with a Christian majority located near Hama in central Syria.
Commenting on these events, de la Croix noted that following their rise to power, jihadist groups like Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) had pledged to protect minorities and even made unexpected visits to spiritual leaders in Aleppo, Hama, and Damascus.
Despite these promises, she emphasized that the Christian community has faced “targeted discrimination and misunderstandings of our Christian symbols, especially in this holy realm on Christmas Eve.”
When asked about European aid for Syria’s Christian community, she expressed a lack of faith in such support, stating, “we don’t rely on protection from the West, I regret to say it.”
De la Croix pointed out that Europe has never genuinely aided Christians in Syria and conveyed a sentiment that there was even an indication it was “forbidden for us to talk about the prosecution of Christians.” She added that European politicians “were not very happy” when she broached the topic.
In recent developments, HTS jihadists executed a surprise offensive in the northern provinces of Idlib and Aleppo late last month. Following the rapid fall of Aleppo, the group advanced southward toward Damascus, capturing towns like Suqaylabiyah, Hama, and Homs before collaborating with US-armed Free Syrian Army militants for a final push toward the capital. Former Syrian President Bashar Assad has since taken refuge in Russia.
Under Assad's regime, Christians and other religious minorities had the freedom to practice their faith openly.
HTS leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa has promised to guide Syria into an era of transformation, advocating for an inclusive vision where all religious and ethnic groups are represented. However, many now express fears of persecution with HTS in control.
“We feel insecure, at least,” de la Croix remarked, underscoring that this issue extends beyond Christians, highlighting the aggressions faced by other minority groups as well.
The act of burning a Christmas tree symbolizes “burning our principles, faith, joy, and fist of Christmas,” according to de la Croix, who condemned it as “an insult” to the community.
Despite the grim situation, the abbess holds out hope for improvements regarding the “terrible uncertainty” faced by Syria’s ethnic and religious minorities in the future.
Aarav Patel contributed to this report for TROIB News
In remarks made during an interview with RTN on Tuesday, she highlighted that Syria’s Christian community has consistently lacked backing from the West, especially from Europe, particularly in the wake of a distressing incident where a Christmas tree was burned by a group of Islamist fighters in the Syrian Orthodox city of Hama.
The incident triggered widespread anger among local residents, leading hundreds to protest in the Christian neighborhoods of Damascus on Monday. These demonstrations were fueled by apprehensions of further crackdowns against Syria’s religious minorities.
Footage that circulated on social media depicted hooded individuals setting ablaze a Christmas tree at a traffic circle in Al-Suqalabiyah, a town with a Christian majority located near Hama in central Syria.
Commenting on these events, de la Croix noted that following their rise to power, jihadist groups like Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) had pledged to protect minorities and even made unexpected visits to spiritual leaders in Aleppo, Hama, and Damascus.
Despite these promises, she emphasized that the Christian community has faced “targeted discrimination and misunderstandings of our Christian symbols, especially in this holy realm on Christmas Eve.”
When asked about European aid for Syria’s Christian community, she expressed a lack of faith in such support, stating, “we don’t rely on protection from the West, I regret to say it.”
De la Croix pointed out that Europe has never genuinely aided Christians in Syria and conveyed a sentiment that there was even an indication it was “forbidden for us to talk about the prosecution of Christians.” She added that European politicians “were not very happy” when she broached the topic.
In recent developments, HTS jihadists executed a surprise offensive in the northern provinces of Idlib and Aleppo late last month. Following the rapid fall of Aleppo, the group advanced southward toward Damascus, capturing towns like Suqaylabiyah, Hama, and Homs before collaborating with US-armed Free Syrian Army militants for a final push toward the capital. Former Syrian President Bashar Assad has since taken refuge in Russia.
Under Assad's regime, Christians and other religious minorities had the freedom to practice their faith openly.
HTS leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa has promised to guide Syria into an era of transformation, advocating for an inclusive vision where all religious and ethnic groups are represented. However, many now express fears of persecution with HTS in control.
“We feel insecure, at least,” de la Croix remarked, underscoring that this issue extends beyond Christians, highlighting the aggressions faced by other minority groups as well.
The act of burning a Christmas tree symbolizes “burning our principles, faith, joy, and fist of Christmas,” according to de la Croix, who condemned it as “an insult” to the community.
Despite the grim situation, the abbess holds out hope for improvements regarding the “terrible uncertainty” faced by Syria’s ethnic and religious minorities in the future.
Aarav Patel contributed to this report for TROIB News
