Syria

By BosNewsLife Middle East Service with reporting by BosNewsLife's Stefan J. Bos and local sources DAMASCUS, SYRIA (BosNewsLife)-- Christian aid workers have urged prayers after up to 200 Christians were reportedly killed in sustained bombardments of Syria's northern city of Aleppo, as the country's civil war enters its sixth year.

By BosNewsLife Middle East Service with reporting by BosNewsLife's Stefan J. Bos DAMASCUS, SYRIA (BosNewsLife)-- Syrian Christians fear that a prominent priest has become the latest victim of ongoing kidnappings by Islamic militants, though dozens of believers were reportedly released by the Islamic State group on Christmas Day.

By BosNewsLife Middle East Service with additional reporting by BosNewsLife's Stefan J. Bos   BEIRUT, LEBANON (BosNewsLife)-- The Bishop responsible for Maronite Christians in Europe warned the Western world Thursday, October 25, that recent deadly attacks in Christian districts of Beirut and Damascus could "unleash" a massive "new wave" of Christian refugees

By BosNewsLife Middle East Service DAMASCUS, SYRIA (BosNewsLife)-- Syria's minority Christians faced another day of anxiety Thursday, December 5, amid mounting concern about the fate of a group of nuns who were abducted by suspected Islamic fighters.

By BosNewsLife Middle East Service DAMASCUS/LONDON/BUDAPEST (BosNewsLife)-- The Islamic State group, known for beheading Christian believers, has kidnapped at least 90 people from Assyrian Christian villages in northeastern Syria, well-informed sources said Tuesday, February 24.

By Martin Roth, BosNewsLife Senior Columnist TOKYO, JAPAN (BosNewsLife Columns)-- A forthcoming film from famed director Martin Scorsese is set  to confront the movie-going public with the persecution of Christians. It's “Silence,” based on the celebrated 1966 historical novel by Japanese Christian writer Shusaku Endo, who was nominated for the Nobel Prize.

By Martin Roth, BosNewsLife Senior Columnist DAMASCUS, SYRIA (BosNewsLife Columns)-- An article in The Times newspaper alleging atrocities by Christian militia in Syria has sparked some “I told you so” posts on social media, from people claiming that Christianity is inherently just as violent as Islam.

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife reporting from Budapest and border areas BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (BosNewsLife)-- Pope Francis call for solidarity with migrants fleeing war and poverty amid Europe's worst refugee crisis since World War Two comes while Hungary's government says it has completed a razor-wire barrier near the border with Serbia. It is among several measures Hungary is taking to halt back refugees after some 150,000 migrants reportedly entered the country illegally this year alone. In Budapest refugees have demanded safe passage to the West during spontaneous demonstrations over the weekend.

By BosNewsLife Middle East Service DAMASCUS, SYRIA (BosNewsLife)-- Syrian Christians and rights activists say Islamic militants have begun deploying rockets to target Christian sites, killing at least five young children this month alone. The announcement follows international concern about reports that rebel forces based on the outskirts of Damascus daily fire mortar shells at the capital, which is firmly under government control.

By BosNewsLife Middle East Service DAMASCUS, SYRIA (BosNewsLife)-- A Syrian priest and some 20 other Christians remained missing Wednesday, October 8, after they were kidnapped by Islamist militants near Syria's border with Turkey, church officials said.