Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis had a telephone conversation with Patriarch John X of Antioch in Syria on Monday in which he underlined Athens’ support for the Patriarchate of Antioch and its flock.
The Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch is one of the largest Christian communities in Syria.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed Greece’s readiness to assist wherever needed and reiterated the country’s position for an inclusive future in Syria, which will protect all religious communities.
Earlier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hailed the downfall of the Assad regime in Syria and expressed its hope that it will open the door to the return of millions of refugees.
Assad is in Moscow after fleeing Damascus, Russian state media report, and will reportedly be granted asylum there. He left after rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) swept into the capital.
The Greek ministry also called for a speedy transition to a democratic, representative government and the protection of religious minorities and monuments.
Greece: Protection of religious minorities in Syria
The full statement reads:
“Greece welcomes the downfall of the authoritarian Assad regime in Syria. However, peace in the country must be immediately ensured, as well as an orderly transition to a democratically legitimized government, on the basis of Resolution 2254 by the (United Nations) Security Council. Greece supports Syria’s unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Special provision should be made for the protection of all non-combatants, including religious minorities, as well as that of religious monuments and (Syria’s) rich cultural heritage.
A return to democratic normalcy must put an and to migrant flows from the long-suffering country and open the way to the safe return of Syrian refugees to their homes.
Greece, as a member of the United Nations Security Council, and with its strong ties with the Arab world, will contribute to the speediest possible restoration of peace and prosperity in Syria.”
Concerns over the fate of Christians in Syria
There are concerns in Greece and the Western world about the fate of Christians in Syria who constitute about 10 percent of the population.
The HTS group that has taken over has its roots in al-Qaeda and a violent past. They have spent recent years trying to rebrand themselves as a nationalist force, and their recent messages have a diplomatic and conciliatory tone.
However, many are not convinced and fear their intentions. Already, al-Qaeda is urging the rebels to turn on “Jews and Crusaders” (their term for all Christians).
Archibishop Ieronimos, the head of the Greek Orthodox Church has raised concerns and appealed to the Greek government to do its best to help the Christians of Syria.
“The advance of extremist armed elements and the occupation of Aleppo endangers the interreligious composition of the population of the region, which, among other things, has had a Greek-born and Greek Orthodox population since ancient times,” he said in a recent statement.
“Due to the many years of war and its tragic and terrifying consequences, there is now a risk of the total elimination and disappearance of Greek Orthodoxy and Christianity from the wider region, with what this would inevitably entail for the future of the region itself,” he added.
He also called on the Greek government to undertake diplomatic and other humanitarian initiatives to normalize the situation and ensure the presence of the Greek Diaspora and Orthodox Christians of Syria.
Historically, Christians have suffered from HTS or its predecessor, Jabhat al-Nusra. They have faced harsh treatment, including forced conversions, extortion, and displacement.
According to recent estimates, Christians constitute approximately 10 percent of Syria’s population, amounting to about 2.3 million people in a total population of nearly 23 million. The Christian community in Syria is diverse and includes various denominations, including the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch.
Related: Greece Rescues Orthodox Families From War-Torn Aleppo, Syria
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
