Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children

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."

Listen
  • x
  • 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

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

Damascus accuses Sweida factions of breaking ceasefire, sowing 'chaos'

'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
  • Israeli occupation
  • Gaza
War on Gaza

War on Gaza

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS