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BREAKING
Local sources: Civilians, including children and women, were injured in the al-Maqous neighborhood of Sweida, in Syria, as a result of ongoing clashes
Israeli media outlet: Security incident reported in the Gaza Strip
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson: No new date or venue has been set for the meeting between Araghchi and Witkoff, and no negotiations will take place until the outcome is guaranteed
Palestinian platforms: Settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque complex under the protection of the occupation police
Palestinian platforms: The IOF detonated a booby-trapped robot east of the al-Zaytoun neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Syrian Defense: We call on all parties in Sweida to cooperate with security forces and exercise restraint
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: It has not yet been determined whether the detainees belong to ISIS or another organization
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Around 10 people of different nationalities, including Lebanese nationals, were detained
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese army arrested a number of people in the Matn area of Mount Lebanon with possession it has not disclosed

Archbishop Hanna: Christians in the Levant stand firm in their roots

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Al Mayadeen
  • 25 Dec 2024 14:29
3 Min Read

Commenting on the developments in Syria, Hanna stressed the need to respect "the unique identity of all components of the Syrian people."

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  • Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Sebastia in occupied al-Quds, Atallah Hanna, delivers a speech during a demonstration in Beit Jala on the outskirts of the occupied west bank city of Beit Lahm, on May 17,2021. (AFP)
    Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Sebastia in occupied al-Quds, Atallah Hanna, delivers a speech during a demonstration in Beit Jala on the outskirts of the occupied west bank city of Beit Lahm, on May 17, 2021. (AFP)

The Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Sebastia, Atallah Hanna, has issued a heartfelt appeal "from the land of the Nativity to the entire world," calling for an end to the ongoing genocide and the realization of the long-denied justice in Palestine.

In an interview for Al Mayadeen, Archbishop Hanna underscored that "Palestine is a cause for all Arabs, both Muslims and Christians."

He emphasized that Christians in the Levant are deeply entrenched in the rich historical and unifying fabric of Arabism, firmly rejecting any notion that they are "Westernized" or an "external element to the region."

The Archbishop further dismissed labels that describe Arab Christians as minorities, communities, or sects.

Commenting on the developments in Syria, he stressed the need to respect "the unique identity of all components of the Syrian people, regardless of their sectarian or religious affiliations."

Archbishop Hanna also called for a vision of the Middle East built on systems that promote love and national unity, steering away from "the language of exclusion, division, and incitement."

Related News

Russia in talks over military bases in Syria with new government

Tensions ease in Sweida as all detainees released amid mediation

'We want life, not death': Beit Lahm's Christmas subdued amid genocide

Beit Lahm's Christmas celebrations were subdued, with no decorations or tree at the Church of the Nativity, as the city marked another year overshadowed by the ongoing genocide on Gaza, AFP reported Tuesday. 

Revered as the birthplace of Jesus Christ, Beit Lahm opted for modest festivities to show solidarity with Palestinians suffering in the besieged Gaza Strip.

Al-Quds resident Hisham Makhoul, visiting Beit Lahm for Christmas, called the experience an "escape" from the war. "What we're going through is very difficult, and we can't completely forget about it," he said, acknowledging the plight of Palestinians in Gaza. "It's an escape... for a few days, a week or so, no more than this."

In Beit Lahm's city center, the Terra Sancta Scout Troop, dressed in red scarves, marched through the main shopping street. Vendors sold nougat and shawarma while children's carols echoed in the air. Their banners carried somber messages: "We want life, not death" and "Stop the Gaza genocide now!"

A large Christmas tree typically decorates Manger Square near the Church of the Nativity, built over the cave believed to be Jesus's birthplace. However, for the second consecutive year, the municipality refrained from such displays in light of the ongoing war.

Standing next to the statue of Jerome of Stridon, the Christian priest who translated the Bible into Latin, Makhoul said, "Although this year is very different from other years, it still means a lot to us to be here." 

Read more: Syrian Christians urged to limit Christmas celebrations amid tensions

  • Syria
  • Archbishop Atallah Hanna
  • Gaza Strip
  • war on Gaza
  • Palestine
  • Israel
  • Gaza genocide
  • Christmas
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