Syrian Christians Hold First Sunday Service Since Assad's Fall - Maaloula

Syrian Christians Hold First Sunday Service Since Assad's Fall - Maaloula

After the fall of the Assad regime, Syrian Christians held their first Sunday service, at the Saint Takla and Saint Mar Sarkis churches in the ancient Maaloula town, which has a dense christian population in the rural areas of Damascus, on December 15, 2024. Photo by Ugur Yildirim/DIA Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Syrian Christians Hold First Sunday Service Since Assad's Fall - Maaloula

Syrian Christians Hold First Sunday Service Since Assad's Fall - Maaloula

After the fall of the Assad regime, Syrian Christians held their first Sunday service, at the Saint Takla and Saint Mar Sarkis churches in the ancient Maaloula town, which has a dense christian population in the rural areas of Damascus, on December 15, 2024. Photo by Ugur Yildirim/DIA Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Syrian Christians Hold First Sunday Service Since Assad's Fall - Maaloula

Syrian Christians Hold First Sunday Service Since Assad's Fall - Maaloula

After the fall of the Assad regime, Syrian Christians held their first Sunday service, at the Saint Takla and Saint Mar Sarkis churches in the ancient Maaloula town, which has a dense christian population in the rural areas of Damascus, on December 15, 2024. Photo by Ugur Yildirim/DIA Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Syrian Christians Hold First Sunday Service Since Assad's Fall - Maaloula

Syrian Christians Hold First Sunday Service Since Assad's Fall - Maaloula

After the fall of the Assad regime, Syrian Christians held their first Sunday service, at the Saint Takla and Saint Mar Sarkis churches in the ancient Maaloula town, which has a dense christian population in the rural areas of Damascus, on December 15, 2024. Photo by Ugur Yildirim/DIA Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Syrian Christians Hold First Sunday Service Since Assad's Fall - Maaloula

Syrian Christians Hold First Sunday Service Since Assad's Fall - Maaloula

After the fall of the Assad regime, Syrian Christians held their first Sunday service, at the Saint Takla and Saint Mar Sarkis churches in the ancient Maaloula town, which has a dense christian population in the rural areas of Damascus, on December 15, 2024. Photo by Ugur Yildirim/DIA Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Syrian Christians Hold First Sunday Service Since Assad's Fall - Maaloula

Syrian Christians Hold First Sunday Service Since Assad's Fall - Maaloula

After the fall of the Assad regime, Syrian Christians held their first Sunday service, at the Saint Takla and Saint Mar Sarkis churches in the ancient Maaloula town, which has a dense christian population in the rural areas of Damascus, on December 15, 2024. Photo by Ugur Yildirim/DIA Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Syrian Christians Hold First Sunday Service Since Assad's Fall - Maaloula

Syrian Christians Hold First Sunday Service Since Assad's Fall - Maaloula

After the fall of the Assad regime, Syrian Christians held their first Sunday service, at the Saint Takla and Saint Mar Sarkis churches in the ancient Maaloula town, which has a dense christian population in the rural areas of Damascus, on December 15, 2024. Photo by Ugur Yildirim/DIA Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Civil war in Syria

Civil war in Syria

MAALOULA, Syria - Photo taken May 14, 2014, shows St. Thecla Monastery in the Christian village of Maaloula, southern Syria, where a burned column is seen. Government forces recaptured the town in April through fierce battles against Islamic extremists after the rebels launched an attack in September 2013.

Civil war in Syria

Civil war in Syria

MAALOULA, Syria - Photo taken May 14, 2014, shows St. Thecla Monastery in the Christian village of Maaloula, southern Syria, the inside of which was heavily damaged in fierce battles between government forces and Islamic extremists. The government forces recaptured the town after the rebels launched an attack in September 2013.

Civil war in Syria

Civil war in Syria

MAALOULA, Syria - Photo taken May 14, 2014, shows a ruined hotel in the Christian village of Maaloula, southern Syria. The hotel, where Islamic extremists had located their base, was destroyed in their fierce battles against government forces in April.

Kidnapped nuns released in Syria

Kidnapped nuns released in Syria

JUDAYDAT YABUS, Syria - Greek Orthodox nuns speak with reporters at a checkpoint in the town of Judaydat Yabus in Syria on the border with Lebanon on March 10, 2014, after being released by rebels. A group of 16 people, mostly nuns, were kidnapped by rebels in the Christian town of Maaloula, north of Damascus, in December.