Monsignor Georges Assadourian is the Armenian Catholic Bishop of Damascus and Patriarchal Vicar of the Armenian Catholic Church in Syria.
How has the situation for Christians changed from the fall of Assad to the present day?
There is a deep sense of fear among the population. Former terrorists have become the new leaders of the state and have taken control of the structures of power. Christians have been forced to leave their positions in the government and have been progressively sidelined from institutions. This marginalization affects not only the Syrian Catholic Church but also other sectors of society, including Sunnis, Druze, and Alawites. In particular, Alawites and Christians are among the groups most adversely affected and have been excluded from the structures of power.
President al-Sharaa had promised an inclusive government in which Christians would be represented: has al-Sharaa kept any of his promises? To what extent are Christians marginalized?
Al-Sharaa had promised many things, but there is a clear gap between his promises and reality. He appointed a Christian woman as Minister of Labor and Social Policy, and little else. The reality is that Christian representation in the government and parliament is very low. While official rhetoric speaks of improving public services and restoring stability, the situation on the ground tells a very different story.
This situation has left us feeling deeply disoriented. Following the fall of the former government, Islamist forces have gained greater prominence, and their presence is becoming increasingly visible. We’ve also noticed a rise in hostility, not only among different Muslim groups but also toward us, the Christians.
Are attacks against Christian communities still occurring? Do Christians live in fear?
Yes, of course. Attacks against Christian communities continue. Just a week ago, a bomb was planted in front of a Greek Orthodox church. Kidnappings also continue to occur. When one happens, we do everything we can to secure the release of the kidnapped individuals, and on many occasions, a ransom has been paid.
Furthermore, there are numerous paramilitary groups that were already attacking Christians and that now, paradoxically, are part of the Syrian army. This is causing even greater concern among the Christian population. On the other hand, many of the soldiers who were part of the army under the Al-Assad government have left the Armed Forces and are afraid to return to them. All of this contributes to a growing sense of insecurity and uncertainty among Christians.
Do you feel supported by Pope Leo and the Holy See? Do you think the international community is aware of how important Christians are in preventing Syria from falling into the hands of extremism?
Obviously, Pope Leo and the Vatican are on our side, but what can they do? Just two weeks ago, the new apostolic nuncio to Syria, Archbishop Luigi Roberto Cona, presented his credentials to the Syrian president. We are always in contact with the apostolic nuncio and keep him informed of everything that is happening; he is aware of everything.
The international community is aware of what is happening to Christians in Syria. In fact, French President Macron came to Damascus in early July. We had hoped he would visit our school, but he was not allowed to do so for security reasons.
After so many years of suffering and persecution, how is faith lived out in Syria?
I must say that there is still much suffering and persecution against the Christian community. The challenges they face are immense. Despite everything, their faith remains very deep, even though they live in fear.
Furthermore, Christians are required to pay taxes to the government simply because they are Christian. This tax system, under which Christians were required to pay Islamic rulers, dates back to the 16th and 17th centuries and is known as the jizya.
And another of our main concerns is that there have been drastic changes in administrative staff and across various ministries. There have also been changes in the police force and in everything related to the relationship between institutions and citizens.
For this reason, many Christians prefer to leave the country. They want to leave because they feel they no longer have a secure future in Syria. We try to do everything we can to help them stay so they can continue to live out their faith in their own land.
What is the Church’s role during these difficult times?
As a Church, we not only provide religious instruction but also address the social needs of our faithful. We try to help all families, including financially. In the past, for example, hospitals were free, and Christians did not have to pay for medical care. Now, however, you have to pay for practically everything, and the costs are very high. Many families cannot afford these expenses.
That is why the Church is there to help. For example, we have a school with 450 students who pay nothing. It is not easy to deal with this situation, but we have a duty to stand by our parishioners. In the parish, we are always ready to welcome them and provide whatever help they need.
We try to stand by them and be there for them, but many are dissatisfied with the current situation and would rather leave the country because there is neither stability nor peace, and they fear for their future. First, they pitted us against the Alawites; then, against the Druze. Now they’re telling us, “It’s your turn.” And we’re afraid they’ll come to kill us or drive us out.
What needs to change in Syria for Christians to feel safe?
Christians want security; they want to live in peace, work, and have peace of mind. That is all we ask for. That is why we are afraid we will not be able to move forward. Right now, we are doing everything we can to carry on, but there are many difficulties and a great deal of danger.
There are women with children who are detained and who, at times, have to pay bribes or “protection” money to soldiers at checkpoints in order to return home. There is intense sectarian tension. We want the assurance that we are part of this country, as well as its institutions and its government. We want to feel that we are full-fledged citizens and that we can live in our own land without fear.
You tell me that many Christians have decided to leave. Is it possible to reverse this situation? Is there a future for Christians in Syria?
The future is uncertain. Many want to leave; they are dissatisfied with the situation, and not even those who left the country in 2011 want to return. Today, anyone who comes to Syria can sense the presence of Islamism in many aspects of daily life. Radical Islamic norms are reflected, for example, in women’s dress—they are required to wear the veil—and there is a strong sense of persecution. People are even afraid to leave their homes for fear of ending up in prison.
We want the West, which has recognized this change in government, to do everything possible to promote peace. Syrian laws have been abolished, and Islamic law—Sharia—has been imposed. We are concerned that religious freedom is not being respected and that Islamic law will end up influencing the new Constitution.
We used to live in a secular country; now we live in a religious country dominated by Islam. This frightens us. We want to live as citizens, with a secular government and secular institutions, under the same law and with the same rights for everyone.
