Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

With joy and thanksgiving, we share an update from the Christian community in Syria. 

After years of Islamic occupation and twelve long years of exile, the Christian village of Ghassaniyah in the Idlib Governorate of northwestern Syria has finally been returned to its people.

For over a decade, the residents of Ghassaniyah lived as displaced persons, separated from their homes, their land, and the graves of their ancestors. Before the war, Ghassaniyah was a quiet rural village, known for its rich and diverse Christian social fabric. It was a place where several traditions reflected a long history of coexistence and mutual respect.

Witness to Unity

The Moderator of the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon (NESSL), along with the Greek Orthodox Bishop and the Latin Bishop, marched with the faithful as they re-entered the village. The villagers returned as a testimony to the unity of the Body of Christ. 

They did not enter as separate denominations, but as one people of God. They walked, prayed, and celebrated together. This visible unity in the face of past suffering is a beacon of hope for all in the World Communion of Reformed Churches. We are reminded that we are bound together in Christ and that the church’s witness is strongest when we stand together.

Call to Prayer and Advocacy

While this return is a moment of great celebration, we know that the journey toward full restoration is not over. The people of Ghassaniyah, like many Christian communities in the region, face the immense task of rebuilding their lives, their homes, and their community infrastructure.

We invite the global Reformed family to:

• Rejoice and Give Thanks: Join us in praising God for the safe return of the people of Ghassaniyah and for the protection of the Christian presence in this historic land.
• Pray for Protection: Pray for the safety of the returning families and for the continued protection of all religious minorities in Syria who seek to live out their faith in freedom and peace.
• Pray for Unity: Give thanks for the spirit of cooperation demonstrated by the NESSL, the Greek Orthodox, and the Latin Church leaders. May this unity continue to strengthen the Christian witness in Syria and beyond.
• Stand in Solidarity: We encourage WCRC members to remember the people of Ghassaniyah in their prayers and advocacy work, supporting the right of all displaced persons to return home in dignity and safety.

The return to Ghassaniyah is a sign that God is not finished with the land of Syria. Let us continue to walk together, praying for peace and justice in the Middle East.