The 7 year long civil war in Syria, ISIS’ massacres of Christian communities in areas they invade and attacks against places of worship have forced most Christians to leave their lands. The Christian population was estimated to be 2 million before the civil war in Syria.

There are large groups of Syriacs, Assyrians, Armenians and Chaldeans in Northern Syria, and the region being protected from ISIS and other gangs has prevented a similar fate from befalling these communities. Christians who did not leave their lands celebrated Christmas this year as they do every year, while self defense forces ensured security in churches.

Masses were held in many churches throughout Rojava for Christmas. The celebrations started on Monday and continued on Tuesday.

The mass that represents the coming of Christmas was held in the Mother Mary Church in Qamishlo. The mass was directed by Bishop of Deir ez-Zor and Hesekê (Cizire and Euphrates Regions) Moris Emsih. Orthodox Christians from Qamishlo sang hymns in the mass, prayed and lit candles in celebration of Christmas.

“PEACE AND STABILITY INSTEAD OF WAR”

Bishop of Deir ez-Zor and Hesekê (Cizire and Euphrates Regions) Moris Emsih spoke to ANF to give a Christmas message after the mass.

Emsih wished for peace for the world in Christmas and said:

“Today the whole world celebrates the prophet of peace born in a cave in Bethlehem, son of Mother Mary Jesus Christ.

Bethlehem means “the house of bread” in Aramic Syriac, because the Messiah is the source of life and the hope for salvation for the whole world. Angels say the Messiah was born so God would bring peace to the world.

We celebrate the birth of the Messiah in the holy Mother Mary Church, the Syriac Orthodox Church in Qamishlo. We celebrate Christmas for the peoples of Syria in particular, and wish for peace. We ask the prophet of peace Jesus Christ to bring prosperity to our country, our people and all the faithful, and to end wars. We wish for peace and stability instead of war.”