About Syria:
Syria’s history reflects its role as a crossroads of empires, religions, and cultures. Conquered by Alexander the Great in 333 B.C., Syria became part of the Seleucid Empire. Romans took control in 64 B.C., making it a key province. Christianity spread under Byzantine rule. Arab Muslims conquered Syria, ruling from 634 A.D. to 1516 A.D., establishing Damascus as the Umayyad Caliphate’s capital (661–750).
In 1516 A.D. Syria was absorbed into the Ottoman Empire, governed as provinces. It remained under Ottoman control until that empire, having sided with Germany in World War I, After the Ottoman defeat, France administered Syria under a League of Nations mandate from 1920 to 1946. Nationalist uprisings led to independence in 1946, but Syria saw political instability, with coups and Ba’athist rise to power. Hafez al-Assad ruled from 1970–2000, followed by his son Bashar. The regime centralized power, often brutally suppressing dissent.
Beginning in 2011, pro-democracy protests sparked a brutal civil war. The conflict drew in foreign powers, including Russia, Iran, and the U.S., and saw the rise of ISIS. Millions were displaced, and the war continues with ongoing territorial disputes. On December 8, 2024, the Assad regime fell, and Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) assumed control over much of Syria.
The political situation in Syria:
The political situation is confusing, as is the case of most middle-eastern countries, and Syria is in a state of flux (but apparently in a good way).
On May 14, 2025 U.S. President Donald Trump met with Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia after announcing he would lift U.S. sanctions against Syria and urged him to normalize ties with longtime foe Israel.
Also in May of 2025, it was announced that Syria’s debt to the World Bank of $15.5 million had been paid off by Saudi Arabia and Qatar, clearing Damascus to take out new loans “We are pleased that the clearance of Syria’s arrears will allow the World Bank Group to reengage with the country and address the development needs of the Syrian people,” the World Bank said in a statement.
It added that “the first project in our re-engagement with Syria is centered on access to electricity.”
About the Catholic Church in Syria:
Syria played a crucial role in the development of Christianity, often referred to as a “cradle of Christianity”. The Apostle (Saul) Paul’s conversion famously occurred on the road to Damascus, and the current expression “Road to Danascus” has come to mean a sudden or radical conversion of thought or a change of heart or mind, even in matters outside of a Christian context.
Syria became a major center for early Christian communities and theological thought, producing influential figures and traditions
Under the Assad regime Christians were given a certain amount of freedom….perhaps as a counter-weight to any Islamic extremism that might have threatened the regime. After the fall of Assad, the extreme violence led to a mass exodus of Christians from Syria. The pre-war Christian population has significantly decreased, with an estimated 84% drop in the Christian presence.
Catholic places of interest in Syria:
There are several Roman Catholic churches, including Latin Rite churches, in Syria. These include cathedrals in Aleppo, Damascus, Homs, and Latakia, among others. These churches are part of the broader Catholic Church in the Middle East, which includes various Eastern Rite Catholic Churches like the Maronite Catholic Church and the Melkite Greek Catholic Church.
Aleppo: Many Roman Rite and Eastern Rite Catholic churches
Damascus: Capitol city; The Franciscan Church (relics of the martyrs of Damascus), The House of Saint Ananias (where Ananias baptized Saul).
Dura Europos House Church: Early Christian place of worship
Homs: Several Eastern-Rite Catholic Churches
Traveling to Syria:
Syria is not considered safe to visit at this time due to ongoing armed conflict, terrorism, and instability. The U.S. Department of State as well as many other countries advise against all travel to Syria due to significant risks. The situation remains volatile, with armed clashes and the threat of air strikes, kidnapping, and unjust detention as well as limited consular services. Christians in Syria have also been subjected to violence and discrimination by Islamic State fighters during their control of large areas of the country.
For those willing to take such risks, you can travel by air or land.
By air: Syria has four main international airports, with Damascus International Airport (DAM) and Aleppo International Airport (ALP) serving as the primary, larger hubs. Other key international airports include Bassel Al-Assad International Airport (LTK) in Latakia and Qamishli International Airport (KAC) in the northeast.
By land: Ground travel to Syria is primarily conducted via land borders with Lebanon or Jordan, with the route from Beirut to Damascus being the most common, taking 3–4 hours. A, valid, pre-arranged security clearance and a registered tour guide are generally required for entry. The primary entry point for tourists is the Masnaa-Jdeidet Yabous crossing from Lebanon (Beirut). Other crossings include Joussieh, Aarida, and Aboudieh from Lebanon, or via the Jordanian border.