Greek Melkite Catholic Patriarch Youssef Absi in his sermon prays for restoration of 'peace, unity, coexistence, and dialogue' in Syria, emphasizing that working together to make this easier to achieve
The Christian community in the Syrian capital of Damascus on Tuesday celebrated Christmas by praying in churches.
The Greek Melkite Catholic Church in Damascus's old city became crowded in the evening, with congregants receiving gifts at the church's entrance.
The church choir walked around the courtyard, singing hymns. Scouts from the church rang the church bell to announce the beginning of the service.
In his sermon, Greek Melkite Catholic Patriarch Youssef Absi prayed for the restoration of "peace, unity, coexistence, and dialogue" in Syria, emphasizing that working together would make this easier to achieve.
"Just as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, it will be the birth of a new Syria. Hopefully, there will be a new birth, a new life after the fall of this regime.
"We hope for security and stability again," Jawal Abu Jeraf, one of the church scouts, told Anadolu.
"We hope that the new administration prepares a constitution that includes all elements in Syria and provides security and stability," Jeraf added.
She hoped that "the new administration will take Syria to a much better place than in the past."
Affaf Aqqa, who has taken part in the Christmas service, said Christmas means "light, hope, the beginning of a new life, the birth of peace and sincerity.
"We hope that what happened in the past will remain in the past. We do not want revenge. Let's all live together in peace.”
Later, a group from the security forces of the new Syrian administration visited the church near the end of the service.
