Syria: In a deeply disturbing escalation of targeted violence, a Catholic parish and at least 38 Christian homes were set ablaze in the northern Syrian village of Al-Sur Al-Kabir, forcing dozens of families to flee and plunging the local Christian community into crisis. The attack, which occurred earlier this week, has sent shockwaves through Syria’s already fragile Christian minority.
The St. Michael Catholic Church, a cornerstone of worship and community life for generations, was engulfed in flames following a coordinated arson attack. Witnesses and local clergy reported that the perpetrators targeted homes in close proximity to the church, many of which belonged to families who have lived in the village for decades.
“The church wasn’t just a building it was our heart,” said Father Boutros al-Joote, vicar of the parish. “It was here that we celebrated baptisms, marriages, and mourned our dead. Losing it is like losing a part of ourselves.”
This incident comes amid growing fears of renewed anti-Christian violence in Syria. Just weeks ago, on June 22, a suicide bombing claimed the lives of 22 people at Mar Elias Church in Damascus, an event that has stirred unease throughout the Christian population of the country.
Following the Al-Sur Al-Kabir fire, families have fled to Shahba, where they are now taking refuge in church halls and emergency shelters. Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) and other humanitarian groups are providing basic necessities, but concerns remain high about safety, long-term displacement, and the psychological toll on the victims.
Although no group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, Church leaders and international observers believe it to be part of a broader trend of religiously motivated violence targeting Christian enclaves in the region. The local community has called on both Syrian authorities and international bodies to investigate the incident and ensure the protection of minority populations.
This latest tragedy underlines the precarious position of Syria’s Christians, who make up a small fraction of the population but bear a disproportionate share of suffering amid ongoing instability. With their homes in ashes and their sacred spaces destroyed, the community of Al-Sur Al-Kabir faces a long road to healing and recovery.
Yet, despite the devastation, Father Boutros remains defiant: “Our faith remains unburnt. We will rebuild—not just our church, but our lives and our hope.”