Father Spyridon Tanous describes the situation of Christians in Syria—under the rule of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham—as one where they are effectively “candidates for martyrdom” at the hands of the ruling Salafi-Jihadist faction.
Father Tanous states:
“History repeats itself in Syria, though with different outcomes and scenarios. Christians are targeted—destined for potential martyrdom—by those who harbor hatred for Christ. In the current context, this manifests as the rule of Salafi-Jihadism.”
The martyrs Sergius and Bacchus, who lived in Syria, held high-ranking positions in the Roman army under Emperor Maximian (284–305 AD). When the Emperor discovered that they were Christians who refused to honor pagan deities—an act considered a crime against the state at the time—he took action.
To verify these accusations, the Emperor ordered Sergius and Bacchus to offer sacrifices to the idols. They refused, declaring that they honored Christ alone.
Maximian ordered that the two be stripped of their military ranks and sent to Antiochus, the governor of the eastern region of Syria—a man notorious for his intense hatred of Christians. Antiochus, who had previously attained his position with the help of Sergius and Bacchus, pleaded with them: “My fathers, my benefactors! Have pity on yourselves and on me; I do not wish to subject those who have been so kind to me to such cruel torture.” The holy martyrs replied: “For us, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Antiochus was filled with rage and ordered that Bacchus be beaten severely and mercilessly, until the martyr surrendered his soul to the Lord. As for Sergius, they forced him to wear iron boots studded with nails on the inside, and he was put to death.
By Fr. Spyridon Tanous
