Saydnaya Churches cancel religious festivities in protest over continued detentions and security concerns

05/08/2026

SAIDNAYA, Syria — The parish committees of the Greek (Rûm) Orthodox, Syriac Orthodox, and Melkite Greek (Rûm) Catholic Churches in the predominantly Christian town of Saydnaya have announced the cancellation of all festive activities associated with upcoming Church feasts. The move comes in protest against the continued detention of several residents and what the committees described as the ongoing targeting of Saydnaya’s youth despite the absence of proven charges against them, according to a joint statement.

The decision comes amid growing concern in the historic Christian town — one of Syria’s leading Christian pilgrimage centers — where residents have repeatedly voiced concerns over arrests, security measures, and tensions that have persisted for months.

In their statement, the committees said this year’s feast season comes “amid the continued unjustified detention of a number of our sons without any legal basis and without being afforded their judicial rights.” They added that repeated appeals to the security and judicial authorities, along with assurances that the detainees would be released after no evidence was found against them, have failed to produce tangible results.

The statement also referred to the deliberate mistreatment of Saydnaya residents at the Jdeidet Yabous border crossing with Lebanon. According to the statement, residents are subjected to lengthy security screenings, including being detained for hours, photographed, and having their images sent for security clearance before being allowed to cross, “without regard for the elderly or women.”

The committees further accused what they described as “electronic trolls” of inciting hatred against the town’s residents through social media. They also cited threats of retaliation, provocations targeting young people, and a deteriorating security situation marked by an increase in thefts and kidnappings.

In coordination with the priests of the three parishes — Fr. George Najmeh, Fr. Fanouel Najjar, and Fr. Taher Youssef — the committees announced a series of measures. These include canceling all public celebrations for the Feast of the Transfiguration, the Dormition (Assumption) of the Virgin Mary, the Feast of the Holy Cross, and Hagia Sophia this year, while limiting observances to prayers and liturgical services inside churches.

The committees also said they would continue suspending all celebrations and community activities until all detainees are released, abducted residents return, the so-called “Saydnaya file” is closed, and what they described as the targeting of the town’s youth comes to an end.

They further called for the equal application of justice to all parties without exception, the reopening of all unresolved cases, and the prosecution of anyone found responsible for wrongdoing. According to the statement, these measures are essential to achieving genuine national reconciliation based on justice, citizenship, and the rule of law.

The committees also affirmed that the people of Saydnaya reserve the right to use constitutional and peaceful means to express their demands should the legal process remain at an impasse.

The decision reflects mounting tensions in the town, where religious feasts have traditionally served as major spiritual and social events, attracting thousands of worshippers and pilgrims from across Syria and abroad. The cancellation of the celebrations is widely viewed as an unprecedented act of protest that underscores the depth of concern within the local Christian community.

Saydnaya has witnessed a series of security-related incidents in recent months that have heightened concerns among Syria’s Christian population. Most notably, a wave of arrests targeted several residents following tensions in the Qal’at al-Madiq and Suqaylabiyah areas of the Hama countryside. Residents and church leaders have repeatedly called for the release of those detained, maintaining that no legal violations have been proven against them.

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The latest statement represents the most recent unified position issued by Saydnaya’s three churches, signaling that the crisis has expanded beyond individual cases. According to the signatories, it now directly affects the community’s sense of security and confidence in the justice system. They reiterated their call for a comprehensive legal solution that safeguards rights and supports the building of a Syria founded on citizenship, justice, and the rule of law.