Aleppo’s Christian Community Faces Extinction Amid Rising Extremism

The Christian population in Aleppo, Syria, is nearing extinction as extremist groups take control of the city. Archbishop Jacques Mourad of Homs has issued a dire warning about the future of Christianity in the region, citing the ongoing violence and displacement as devastating to one of the oldest Christian communities in the world.

Speaking to Agenzia Fides, the Archbishop described the grim situation for refugees fleeing Aleppo. “We are really exhausted,” he said. “We cannot bear all the suffering of the people who arrive here.” Many refugees endure dangerous journeys to reach Homs, arriving hungry, cold, and in desperate need of aid.

Aleppo’s Christian population has dropped from 12% to less than 2% over the course of the conflict. Archbishop Mourad, who was kidnapped by ISIS in 2015, warned that the dwindling community could disappear entirely without immediate intervention.

Once a hub of cultural and religious significance, Aleppo has become a battleground. The Archbishop lamented the destruction of its historical treasures and questioned why the city has been targeted so relentlessly. “Why do they want to destroy this historic, symbolic city?” he asked.

The loss of Aleppo’s Christians mirrors the broader destruction of its cultural identity. The city’s famed Aleppo soap industry and other artisan traditions have been decimated by years of war, leaving behind only fragments of its rich history.

Archbishop Mourad’s plea for global attention highlights the urgent need to protect Aleppo’s Christian community and preserve its heritage. Without action, this ancient stronghold of Christianity may vanish entirely, leaving a cultural void for generations to come.