Home » STORIES » Christians in Aleppo have celebrated Christmas among ruins

Christians in Aleppo have celebrated Christmas among ruins

Aid to the Church in Need interviews Father Ziad Hilal in Aleppo, Syria. By Maria Lozano.

How was it to celebrate Christmas without fighting for the first time in 5 years?

People are finally able to feel much safer when going out on the streets and going to church to participate in Mass. I believe nobody skipped the Christmas Mass knowing that the city is safe from the arbitrary shelling and bombs that used to hit the city. Many churches were damaged during four and a half years of war, but Christmas was held at some of those churches to thank God and celebrate the occasion.

Were you also in East Aleppo to celebrate in places where you could not celebrate last year?

There are no churches in East Aleppo to celebrate Christmas. I went to Jibreen district, where the displaced people from eastern Aleppo were placed, and distributed humanitarian aid.

Are the majority of the population in Aleppo celebrating Christmas or just the Christian population?

Christmas means wonderful and colourful lights and decorated trees to the Muslim population. Even before the war, the Muslims used to come to the Christian neighbourhoods to enjoy the festivities and the celebrations. This year, a big Christmas tree was setup in Al-Azizia district and was lit with countless light bulbs. Most of the city officials and citizens came to see the tree and take pictures with it on Christmas day and the following days.

Are the children in Syria getting Christmas gifts – from Santa Claus, Jesus Child or the Three Wise Men?

Each church was visited
How is the humanitarian situation in Aleppo now? Do you have electricity and water again?

Aleppo has been without electricity and water for five years in a row now. People still rely on generators and water delivered by small trucks to fill their house tanks. The humanitarian associations and churches continue to support the people during these difficult times.

Don't miss the latest updates!

Children prepare to send “tidal wave of prayer” around the world

Responds to the ever-pressing yearning for peace and unity in…

Iraq: Ecumenical festival points to future for persecuted Church

Today, the very same communities will raise the Cross high…

Bishop denounces illegal occupation of Church land in Mozambique

"Officials who were sent there were chased away, there must…

Priest’s murder shocks Sierra Leone

Father Amadu was a man of peace, compassion, and unwavering…

Christian clergy in Gaza defy evacuation orders to remain with their flocks

Like other residents of Gaza City, the refugees living in…

Mozambique: Pope “close” to suffering people of Cabo Delgado

The Pope’s words were an important solace for the people…

Thousands of children prepare to return to school, thanks to ACN

Many families would not have been able to pay tuition…

List of News

ACN denounces new massacre in Ntoyo as situation in eastern Congo deteriorates

International Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) expresses its deep concern and solidarity with the families of the victims of a brutal attack carried out on September...

“No one can silence the voice or erase the love of the martyrs,” says Pope

ACN International executive president Regina Lynch says the organisation is proud to support those who are persecuted or even make the ultimate sacrifice for their faith. Pope Leo XIV celebrated...

Vatican gathers the stories of 1,624 Christians murdered for their faith since the year 2000

An ecumenical tribute will be held in Rome, but names will not be published for now A Vatican commission comprising historians, theologians and other experts has documented the stories of...