Among the oak, pine, walnut, and olive trees surrounding the village of Ghassaniyeh in Syria’s Idlib countryside, prayers according to the solemn Byzantine rite were heard once again after an absence of more than 14 years.
In a moment filled with hope and meaning, Metropolitan Athanasius Fahd, Greek Orthodox archbishop of Latakia and its dependencies, celebrated the first Divine Liturgy for the parish since the outbreak of the war.
The liturgy was held in the hall of St. George Church because the church building itself suffered extensive damage in previous years.
During the celebration, worshippers lit candles before the icon of St. George, the village’s patron saint, symbolically marking the return of spiritual life to the community and the beginning of a new chapter. Residents hope this step will help them restore their natural presence in their homeland.
Speaking to ACI MENA, the Arabic-language sister service of EWTN News, Fahd said the celebration was a first step toward encouraging the people of Ghassaniyeh to return to their land.
He expressed his joy at seeing the happiness on the faces of those who attended the liturgy. He also noted that cooperation between the Church and the villagers had made it possible to prepare the church hall as a center serving the needs of the community.
The metropolitan explained that the space will serve two main purposes.
Its first purpose is spiritual, providing a place for prayers and liturgies that remain at the heart of Christian life.
Its second purpose is social. The hall will remain open to villagers as a common home, especially for those who return to visit their farmland or stay temporarily in the village but do not yet have a home suitable for living or a place to rest.
One resident recalled the difficult years the village endured. He said Ghassaniyeh had been struck by explosive barrels and missiles launched by forces linked to the former government, causing widespread destruction and forcing most residents to leave.
He added that conditions are now more stable, freedom of movement has improved, and residents have begun returning to their homes and farmland.
A woman who recently returned to the village also spoke of her joy at being home again. She said she had come back after 14 years away and had begun rebuilding her house and obtaining the basic supplies needed to make it livable.
The road home, however, remains difficult, especially because of the need to rebuild houses and repair infrastructure.
The Church continues to support residents as they restore their homes and rebuild their lives. In recent months, it has also worked to address issues involving their properties and farmland, including land that had come under the control of foreign armed factions, such as Uyghur and Turkistan groups.
Fahd’s visit was his second to Ghassaniyeh, following an inspection visit in May.
The Latin Church also celebrated its first Mass in the village in November 2025, offering another sign of the Christian community’s determination to return.
This story was first published by ACI MENA, the Arabic-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
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