Easter in Silence

Syrian churches and Salesian centres cancelled Easter celebrations for security reasons

This year’s Easter holidays in Syria were not accompanied by the joyful peal of bells or by the traditional processions through the streets. In an atmosphere of escalating international tension and a constant threat from the sky, all Christian churches in the country, including the Salesians of Don Bosco, decided to take the necessary safety measures.

When drones drown out prayer

The security situation in the region has reached a critical point. The proximity of the conflicts in neighbouring Lebanon and fears of a global clash between major powers have turned the Syrian sky into a place of constant drone overflights. Because of the still-fresh memory of the tragic drone attack on the Christian village of Al-Skilbih, which deeply wounded the whole community, a high level of caution prevailed throughout this year’s Easter.

Instead of the festive processions that fill the streets every year, this year the faithful gathered only for liturgical celebrations inside the churches. Behind the closed doors of the temples they prayed for peace, while uncertainty circled overhead.

Your “Tehlička” is an answer to the quiet suffering

Right at this moment, as the holidays — lived through in deep stillness — are drawing to a close in Syria, this year’s Tehlička for Syria campaign is reaching its peak. Your support today takes on an even more important dimension. Syria is not just a country on the map of conflicts — it is real people, families and young people at the Salesians who, this weekend, instead of celebrating, were living through uncertainty and fear.

Thanks to your generosity and openness of heart we are able to:

Support the Salesian work in Damascus, which remains a safe haven for Syrian young people even in the most difficult times.
Help families who have lost their stability and sense of safety because of the war and the constant threat.
Show Syrian Christians that, in the shadow of drones and international conflicts, they are not alone.

Although this year’s Easter in Syria was celebrated without the traditional rejoicing in the streets, thanks to spiritual and financial support hope was not missing from it. We thank everyone who, during this year’s Tehlička, became a light for those who this year celebrated the resurrection in focused prayer and the seclusion of their own churches. Your help is a concrete act of love that gives our Syrian brothers and sisters the strength to keep walking on, even in these uncertain times.

Thank you for helping!