Fadi Azar, Franciscan from Syria: “The lack of security has grown enormously”
The Christian community has seen discrimination rise, but remains firm in the faith in the land where Christianity has its roots.
The situation in Syria remains unstable almost two years after the fall of Bashar al-Assad and the rise to power of president Ahmed al-Sharaa. During a recent visit to Spain, Fr Fadi Azar, a Franciscan from the Custody of the Holy Land who is originally from Syria and is currently serving in Aleppo, spoke to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) about the reality the Christian community is facing in the country.
What is the current situation in Syria? What is daily life like for the Christian community, families and young people?
The overall poverty, due to the terrible economic situation and inflation, has led to a rise in criminality. Many people lost their jobs, because the current government dismissed all the civil servants and members of the military who served under Assad. Therefore, many young people, including parents, are unemployed. Insecurity has increased a lot, and we have seen a rise in kidnappings and looting by criminal groups. An example of this is the fact that people used to leave their doors unlocked, but now they have been beefing up security in their homes because even the electricity and water meters are being stolen. Besides this, we have seen some cases of aggression against the Christian community, such as the 2025 attack on the Orthodox Church of Saint Elias, in Damascus, and this has led to an increase in fear among the Christians.
What is the situation for Christians? What sort of pressure are they subjected to?
There have been other incidents of attacks and aggression, not as severe as the one on the Saint Elias Church, but we have seen the vandalization of Christian cemeteries and graffities against Christians spray painted on the walls of several churches. We are also seeing several cases of radical Muslim groups sending cars with loudspeakers to different areas, calling on Christians to convert to Islam.
How is this sort of discrimination affecting the youth?
Some people have lost their jobs simply for being Christian, or have been unable to progress in their careers for reasons of discrimination. They are also deeply affected by insecurity, the economic situation and increased discrimination, because it makes the future look very bleak. When young people and families feel insecure, they begin to think of emigrating again. The Syrians are a hard-working people. Some are even thinking of moving to Africa – though there are not as many opportunities there as in other parts of the world – just because they are seeking peace and stability.
What role can the Church play in this context of instability and suffering? And what support is the Church receiving from ACN?
The Church stands by the people, supporting them, giving hope, listening and trying to address the many needs. Churches are always open and welcoming everybody. Many parishes have dispensaries and distribute medication, food, clothes and educational material, besides providing pastoral and sacramental support. Much of this activity is only possible because of institutions such as Aid to the Church in Need. One of the initiatives that ACN supports, and which is very necessary, is the “A Drop of Milk” project. We are also very grateful for the support we receive for Christian schools, including scholarships, so that they can continue to operate. Finally, I would say that the support for priests all over the country, through Mass stipends, is crucial. Without this help it would be impossible to continue to live and carry out the Church’s mission in Syria.
How is the faith of the Syrian Christians?
Our faith is our life. The Christian community, especially in Aleppo, where I am now, is deeply immersed in parish life and in the environment of the Catholic schools. Christians live very much within their parishes, where we have sports and art centres, prayer groups, catechism, etc., Later, the terrorists attacked the Church of Saint Elias in Damascus, because they knew it was central to the life of Christians. They wanted to sow fear, but the testimony of the Christians was very strong, because on the next day all the churches were full, and all the Christians gathered to pray for the victims and for their persecutors. Our faith is strong, because we have the experience that God is with us always. Our roots are the roots of Christianity, this is where our faith was born. Saint Paul was converted in Damascus. We have been a part of Syria since before the arrival of Islam.
How can you keep up hope in such a situation?
Our hope lies only in God. We do not tire of bearing witness and showing our reality to the world. We hope that the international community can do something for the minorities in Syria, not only for Christians; but many no longer believe in this.
Do you have any concrete examples of that hope bearing fruit?
We have one case of a father who is now preparing to be baptised. He was not a Christian, though he allowed his children to be baptised and follow their mother’s religion. Thanks to the witness of his children, seeing them pray and participate in the Eucharist, he began to change. Recently he told me: “Fr Fadi, now I see that it is Jesus who protects my family. I can see what my children told me about Jesus, that he is a person who is love, who is joy, and when I think of this, I feel the strength to move forward, despite the poverty. I want to follow Jesus”. Amidst so many difficulties, it is stories like these, and the testimony of so many other people and families, that gives me the strength to persevere.
Is there any final message you would like to leave us on behalf of the Christians of Syria?
Firstly, I ask for prayers. Please pray for Syria and do not forget us. Pope Francis used to speak of “my beloved Syria”. Syria is a country where our Christian faith was formed, so please pray for us. I also encourage everyone to continue to support us through ACN, which helps us and allows us to move forward. Without the support of so many of you, without the mass stipends, we would not be able to survive. That is why, above all, I am grateful to you.
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