The Enduring Greek Legacy in Syria: A Tale of Triumph and Struggle
For over 2,500 years, the Greeks have played a significant role in shaping the history and culture of Syria. From ancient Hellenistic settlements to the Greek Orthodox Christian communities of today, the Greek presence in Syria reflects a remarkable journey of resilience through triumphs and trials.
Apamea was a prominent ancient city located on the right bank of the Orontes River. Originally established as the capital of Apamene during the Macedonian era, the city flourished under Greek and Roman influence. Later, it became the administrative capital and a significant metropolitan archbishopric of the late Roman province of Syria Secunda. Its importance endured into the Crusader period, where it retained its status as a key cultural and religious center.
The Current Crisis: Threats to Christians in Syria
Recent political turmoil in Syria has put the Greek Orthodox Christian community, which constitutes a part of Syria’s 10% Christian minority, on high alert. With the rise of extremist factions like Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), rooted in al-Qaeda, fears for the safety of Christians in the region are mounting. Despite HTS’s claims of seeking a peaceful transition, their violent history has left the international community skeptical of their intentions. Alarming calls from extremist groups to target “Jews and Crusaders” have deepened concerns for the safety of Christians, including the Greek Orthodox faithful, whose roots in Syria stretch back millennia.
Neglect and Insufficient Support from Greece
Despite repeated calls for assistance, including from the Archbishop of Athens and other prominent figures, the Greek government has been criticized for its inadequate response to the plight of Greek Orthodox Christians in Syria. Appeals for humanitarian aid, the protection of cultural heritage, and support for the Patriarchate of Antioch have largely gone unanswered. Many feel abandoned, left to rely on international aid and their own resilience to survive in an increasingly hostile environment
The Greeks in Syria: A Historical Overview
The Greek connection to Syria dates back to the 7th century BCE, during the era of Assyria, an empire spanning modern-day Iraq, Turkey, and parts of Egypt. Greek settlers arrived from maritime regions, later becoming more prominent during the Hellenistic period following Alexander the Great’s conquest of the Persian Empire in the 4th century BCE.
Under Seleucus I Nicator, the founder of the Seleucid Empire, Hellenistic cities such as Antioch, Laodicea, and Seleucia flourished, spreading Greek culture across the region. Greek customs, language, and architecture became deeply entrenched, with Koine Greek emerging as the lingua franca of the Hellenistic world.
Even under Roman rule, Hellenistic traditions thrived. Cities like Antioch and the Decapolis became centers of commerce, religion, and culture. During the Byzantine era, Greek-speaking Romans, known as Roman-Greeks, dominated the Diocese of the East, one of the empire's most significant spiritual and agricultural hubs.
Shifts in Power and Resilience
Syria's control shifted over centuries, from Persian to Arab hands, with the Byzantine Greeks experiencing both dominance and decline. During the Ottoman Empire, Greek Orthodox Christians were recognized as part of the Roman millet, but they faced periods of persecution. The tragic events of the 1923 population exchanges and the earlier Ottoman ethnic cleansing of Greeks uprooted many, with some fleeing to Syria, where they sought refuge and rebuilt their lives.
The Modern Greek Community in Syria
Today, the Greek community in Syria consists of approximately 4,500 people, primarily living in Aleppo, Damascus, and Tartus. In addition, about 8,000 Greek-speaking Muslims of Cretan origin reside in the village of Al-Hamidiyah near the Lebanese border. Despite their unique cultural heritage, these communities face immense challenges, including poverty and hunger exacerbated by years of conflict.
The Greek government, alongside the European Union, has been advocating for the preservation of religious and cultural heritage in Syria, including the protection of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch, based in Damascus. This includes efforts to restore historic monuments and recover stolen artifacts.
The Role of Greek Orthodox Christians in Syrian Society
The Greek Orthodox Church remains the largest non-Muslim religious group in Syria, with around 700,000 members. The Patriarchate of Antioch, headquartered in Damascus since the 14th century, oversees a network of churches concentrated in Aleppo, Homs, and Latakia. The liturgy, conducted in Arabic, reflects the integration of Greek Orthodox Christians into the broader Arab society, while preserving their rich heritage.
Historically, Greek Orthodox Christians in Syria have supported secular Arab nationalism as a way to promote equality and resist colonialism. This alignment was partly shaped by the community’s desire to overcome institutionalized preferences for Sunni Islam in the region.
The Greeks of Syria embody a rich cultural legacy that has weathered centuries of political upheaval, cultural exchange, and religious transformations. As one of the oldest continuous Greek communities outside Greece, they remain a testament to resilience and adaptation. In today’s fraught political climate, their survival and heritage preservation hinge on global support and solidarity.
