Armenian Catholic Archbishop Georges Assadourian: 65% of Christian public-sector employees in Syria have been dismissed

SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, France — On 7 April 2025, the Île-de-France Regional Council hosted a historic conference titled Christians of Syria: Between Hope and Exodus at its headquarters in Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine. This unprecedented gathering brought together the highest-ranking Christian dignitaries from Syria to discuss the existential challenges faced by their communities in the aftermath of the Syrian conflict.

The event saw the participation of notable figures, including President of the Île-de-France Region Valérie Pécresse, President of the Coordination of Eastern Christians in Danger (CHREDO) Patrick Karam, French Minister of the Interior Bruno Retailleau, and Syriac Catholic Archbishop of Daramsuq (Damascus) Archbishop Youhanna Jihad Mtanos Battah. The convergence of such prominent personalities highlighted the significance of addressing the critical plight of Christians in Syria.

Three of the figures in attendance were prominent archbishops from eastern Catholic Churches — Melkite Greek Catholic Metropolitan of Holeb (Aleppo) Archbishop Georges Masri, and Syriac Catholic Archbishop of Daramsuq (Damascus) John Jihad Battah, and Armenian Catholic Archbishop of Daramsuq Georges Assadourian. They painted an increasingly bleak picture of Christian life in Syria, citing fears over the rise of a hardline Islamic regime in Daramsuq, deepening economic despair, and the erosion of civil liberties. Their voices, solemn and resolute, echoed a shared concern: survival alone is no longer enough — identity, culture, and dignity must also be protected.

Disconnect between Promise and Reality

In his remarks, Archbishop Masri criticized what he described as the dissonance between official statements from the Syrian Transitional Government (STG) and the lived reality of the population. While public discourse speaks of improving services and restoring stability, the actual conditions on the ground tell a different story.

“The Constitutional Declarations fell far short of aspirations for a civil state that respects all rights,” Archbishop Masri said. He warned of the growing strength of extremist Islamic factions that, emboldened by a new political order, are spreading their ideology through violence. “Protecting Christians means more than safeguarding their presence — it means defending their thought, their culture, and their historical legacy.”

Illegitimate Power Struggling for Control

Archbishop Battah echoed these concerns. He acknowledged attempts by the new ruling authorities to establish control but called their efforts “illegitimate and under-resourced,” noting their failure to subdue foreign extremist groups that continue to roam freely.

“Christians today fear a future that looks increasingly dark,” Archbishop Battah said. “A strict Islamic regime has taken power, the economic crisis has deepened, and insecurity prevails. But more than anything, there is no horizon — no vision — for what comes next.”

65% of Christian Public-Sector Employees Dismissed

Perhaps the most sobering testimony came from Archbishop Assadourian who revealed that more than 65% of Christian public-sector employees have been dismissed by what he termed “the new masters of Damascus.”

“The threats are real,” he said, noting that he himself had received threats after calling for international protection for Syria’s Christians. “Most Christians want to leave,” he added. “The threat of Islamic fundamentalism is driving them out.”

The conference, though hosted in the heart of Europe, resonated with the gravity of a region on edge. The presence of French officials lent political weight, but it was the emotional candor of the Syrian bishops that carried the day. Between the hope of preservation and the pull of exodus, Syria’s Christian communities, once a cornerstone of the country’s diverse fabric, now teeter on the brink.

As one speaker quietly remarked off stage, “We are not just losing people — we are losing a way of life.”