03/12/2019 Syria (International Christian Concern) –  The Maronite Bishop of Damascus has expressed concern that the few Christians who remain in Syria increasingly belong to an elderly demographic. He points to how in his own ministry, only four couples are under the age of 50 years old.

Many Syrian Christians have fled the country as a consequence of the violent eight-year civil war which has shattered all sense of security and stability. Christians have been targeted by all sides: government, rebels, and jihadists. The situation has left believers with few options for survival. The Maronite Bishop says that according to early surveys, it appears that churches have lost between 50-77% of their membership through emigration.

The few Christians who remain in Syria face a myriad of challenges. The severely damaged infrastructure provides no support for daily life, and many are forced to live depleted of basic life necessities, including sustainable shelter. Although the war’s violence has significantly decreased over the past year, many believers are still at risk. For the elderly Christians who remain, these kinds of challenges are especially harsh to overcome.

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