Levantine Greeks: Fighting for survival and a voice in Syria’s future

As Syria remains engulfed in turmoil, the plight of its Christian communities is a stark reminder of how history repeats itself.

For the Greek Orthodox Christians of Syria like myself, the current crisis revives centuries of trauma. Growing up on the edge of the Christian Valley, I learned early on how fragile our society was, even during the illusion of stability before 2011.

The smallest spark—like falling in love with a Muslim or Alawite—could unravel the delicate balance, exposing how deeply fractured we were beneath the surface. Our history as Christians in the Middle East has been shaped by survival.

First under the Arabs and later under the Ottomans, we were treated as a “defeated nation,” the remnants of the Byzantine Empire. Our status left us vulnerable. Forbidden to bear arms, we became easy targets in times of upheaval—low-hanging fruit for massacres, forced conversions, and displacement.

What saved us, time and again, was not military strength but education. Our role as scholars, architects, and doctors became our shield. Even those who oppressed us knew that erasing our community would mean erasing the very people who built their cities, healed their sick, and advanced their knowledge.

This paradox of reliance and persecution ensured our survival, but it also left scars. Generations passed down the trauma, along with a collective instinct for caution and self-preservation. I remember, even as a child, the constant undercurrent of fear in our community.

Conversations were often shadowed by a single name: the Muslim Brotherhood. For my parents’ generation, they represented the ultimate nightmare—a looming threat to our existence. But looking back now, that fear almost seems quaint. The Muslim Brotherhood, in retrospect, was a much lighter version of the terror we face today.

Their ideological successors, the affiliates of Al Qaeda, have taken Syria by storm, bringing a level of extremism and violence that eclipses anything my parents could have imagined. These groups have seized towns that were once vibrant centers of Christian life.

Aleppo, a city that symbolized our resilience and culture, has been overrun. The fear of the Muslim Brotherhood has been replaced by the horrifying reality of Al Qaeda affiliates advancing unchecked. For us, these groups are not just political movements; they are existential threats.

Amid this chaos, our Patriarch, John Yazigi X, remains steadfast in Damascus, leading a flock that grows more scattered and vulnerable by the day. Yet we cannot rely on faith alone to secure our future. Survival is not enough. We need equality, dignity, and political representation in any new Syria.

For this, we turn to Greece—not just as a fellow Orthodox nation, but as a cultural and historical ally. Our bond with Greece is not rooted solely in faith. While Russia is also Orthodox, our connection with Greece feels unique. Greece is more than a spiritual partner; it is a reflection of who we are, a living link to the Byzantine legacy that defines our identity.

Greece, too, endured centuries of oppression under Ottoman rule. Like us, it has faced threats of erasure but emerged with its identity intact. This shared history creates a bond that transcends religion—a bond of resilience, survival, and shared hope for the future.

Now, as Syrian Christians face perhaps their greatest challenge, Greece’s role is critical. Greece has the cultural and diplomatic weight to advocate for our rights on the global stage. It can remind the world that our community is not just a relic of the past but a vital part of the Middle East’s fabric.

The erasure of Syria’s Christians would mean more than the loss of a minority. It would mean the destruction of centuries of knowledge, culture, and history that have shaped this region. Greece understands this because it has walked a similar path. It knows that our shared history is not just a memory but a guide for building a more inclusive and just future.

Together, Syria’s Christians and Greece can ensure that we are not mere survivors of history. With Greece’s support, we can secure a future where our resilience becomes a source of strength, and where justice and dignity are not just aspirations but realities.

Samer Sleaby, a political Christian activist, editor for the Greek Levantine Worldwide Platform, and a dentist based in Amsterdam.

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