Damascus Christians
© Sputnik/ Nada Ajeeb
Takket været befrielsen af det østlige Ghouta fra terrorister, så er de kristne regioner af Damaskus ikke længere under beskydning og kunne trygt gå til gudstjeneste.

I søndags fejrede de syriske ortodokse, påskehelligedagen, markerende genopstandelsen af Jesus. Gudstjenesten blev holdt i Damaskus Patriarchal Cathedral of the Dormition of Our Lady (den såkaldte Az-Zeytun kirke).

"Det er første gang i årevis at jeg græder af lykke. Vi beder og føler os trygge. Vi er ikke længere bange for vores børn," fortalte Sirin Dahi, som er kommet til Az-Zeytun kirken for at fejre Påske, til Sputnik.

"Dagens helligdag er understreget af glæden over den syriske hærs sejr i det østlige Ghouta. Vi er glade at vi trygt kan fejre Påske", sagde Lin Istanum, en ung syrer.


Kommentar: Denne artikel er delvis oversat til dansk af Sott.net fra: Damascus Christians free to celebrate religious holidays following East Ghouta liberation


"Fifteen days ago the Bab Touma neighborhood (the city's Christian district) was absolutely empty. People went out only in case of an emergency. Everybody was afraid of the rocket fire that has caused numerous civilian deaths. On Holy Week we remember those who lost their lives on the streets. Today we've walked down the streets where they died and commemorated the Passion of Christ and these people," John Badur told Sputnik.

Um Ilyas's grandson died during a rocket attack in the Bab Touma neighborhood. "We decorated our houses for Easter, we're laughing and we're conveying joy to future generations," she said.

On this very day Orthodox Christians celebrated Palm Sunday. "Today's Palm Sunday holiday is highlighted by the liberation of Eastern Ghouta. That's why this holiday is very strongly felt," Laure, a Syrian from the Mariamite Cathedral of Damascus, told Sputnik.

"The fact that we were able to perform traditional rituals and processions on the city's streets indicates the revival of a fraternal Syria where different nations and confessions live in peace. Today we lit candles in palm branches that symbolize our friendly relations which Syrians have been known for since ancient times," young Usef Rizq told Sputnik.

Johny Shadiak, a Syrian scout, told Sputnik that as a result of the Syrian Army's victory the scouts were able to easily march along Damascus streets. "Our country doesn't deserve fear. Thanks to the military heroes, this year the scouts from all the churches were able to go out and that had been impossible for the past few years."