Christians in middle east

Haifa resident arrested after vandalizing church, spitting on police officer

Dean Mor admitted to the charges against him, but claimed that he had felt threatened both at the church and by the officer at the police station.

Israeli Arab Christians take part in a procession in Haifa Sunday, 11th May 2014
A memorial service is held at Sayyidet al-Najaat Church for five Christians, including a priest, who were killed in attacks in Rumiyeh, north of Beirut, Lebanon, on March 15, 2026.

Lebanese Forces chief welcomes JD Vance’s support for Lebanon’s Christian community

Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III takes part in Holy Thursday ceremonies at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City, on April 9, 2026.

Patriarch Theophilos III, Trump to discuss protection of Christians, freedom of worship

‘We were taught to love each other, not to hate. Christians are a peaceful community,’ says Naji Mansour, owner of Mansour Money Change in the Old City. PremiumPremium

'I refuse to hide my cross': Jerusalem's Christians describe a climate of fear


Britain commissions review of Christian persecution worldwide

Some 215 million Christians worldwide faced persecution for their faith last year, it said.

A mother of one of the victims of an attack on a group of Coptic Christians attends a funeral at the Sacred Family Church in Minya

WATCH: IDF wishes merry Christmas to Christian tourists in Bethlehem

Lieutenant Colonel Moshe Avi joins Christmas convoy from Jerusalem to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.

A CHRISTMAS TREE stands at Mar Elias Church for the Christmas-Suta festival

Photo Essay: Christmas in the Holy Land

Christian pilgrims and tourists are visiting Christianity’s holiest sites, especially in Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Nazareth.

 Issa Kassissieh, wearing a Santa Claus costume, rides a camel during the annual Christmas tree distribution by the Jerusalem municipality in Jerusalem's Old City December 21, 2017

Iraqi Christians celebrate hopeful Christmas after defeat of ISIS

Across the region, Christmas appeared to come and go without the terrorism of previous years.

Iraqi Christians attend a mass on Christmas Eve at the Grand Immaculate Church in Qaraqosh (al-Hamdaniya), near Mosul

Christians flock to Holy Land sites for Christmas festivities

Israel has welcomed an estimated 150,000 Christians for the festive season, according to the Tourism Ministry, with many opting to join the celebrations in Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Nazareth.

 Issa Kassissieh, wearing a Santa Claus costume, rides a camel and distributes Christmas trees in Jerusalem's Old City December 21, 2017

Thousands flock to Bethlehem for Christmas Eve

Beginning in the morning Bethlehem’s preparations for Christmas Eve were set in motion as barricades and checkpoints were put up around the old port of the city leading to Manger Square.

Santa waves to tourists and pilgrims in Bethlehem

Merry Christmas

Turkish Christians are also facing oppression by their government. And in Iraq, the Christian population has been nearly wiped out.

A giant menorah stands in front of a Christmas tree at the Brandenburg gate to celebrate Hanukkah in Berlin December 16, 2014

The history of celebrating Christmas in ancient Greek Catholic villages

Each year ahead of Christmas, villagers deck the streets with vivid displays of color, in a bid not only to celebrate the holiday but also in hopes of attracting tourists.

One of the first cooperative moshavim and a Greek Catholic village offer a fascinating glimpse into the area’s varied history

A dangerous Christmas for Iran's Christians

On December 17, the United Nations approved a resolution which rejected Iran’s continuing rights violations against women.

Members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards march during a parade to commemorate the anniversary of the Iran-Iraq war (1980-88), in Tehran September 22, 2011.

Israel and the Great Emasculation

We can call the devaluation of manly courage and its knock-on effects in the West the “Great Emasculation.”

Iraqi Christians attend mass at Mar George Chaldean Church in Baghdad, March 1, 2015. Iraqi Christians say they have no intention of leaving the country despite the recent abduction of over 100 Assyrian Christians by the Islamic State