Since its emergence as a religion of peace, love, and harmony Christianity has underwent several stages of persecution over the years. Yet Christianity remained steadfast despite the waves of hatred aimed at it.

Lord Jesus said, “All nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved.” He also said to his disciples, “I have said these things to you that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but take heart. I have overcome the world.”

With wars and persecutions prevailing in our current time, a question arises is how far can one comprehend an idea that Christianity is in danger?

When considering the threats encountering Christianity it is to be admitted that Western secularism poses a danger greater than the persecutions taking place in various parts of the world, as secularism kills the faith.

On the other hand, it is to be acknowledged that the problem of anti-Christian persecution has been escalating with roughly 250,000 people throughout the world are being persecuted for their faith.

His Holiness Pope Francis said earlier, “There are more martyrs today than there were in the early centuries of Christianity.” He called the phenomenon “a new ecumenism, an ecumenism of martyrdom,” as Christians are often slaughtered without distinction.

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR MIDDLES EAST CHRISTIANS?

Christianity has deep roots in the Middle East, yet today, the region is largely devoid of Christians, and the small and ancient communities that remain face incredible hardships.

The Christians in the Middle East run the risk of “imminent extinction” due to the “threat of violence, murder, intimidation, and poverty. “

Iraq, for example, has lost 75 per cent of its Christian population. Despite the recent success against ISIS, which led to the liberation of many of the ancestral lands of the Christians in Iraq’s Nineveh Plain, the damage done over the last several years has been significant to a community that has already been weakened by decades, or even centuries.

 “The Christian population in Iraq has gone down from 1.5 million in 2003 to just about 200,000 today, and the numbers in Syria are comparable.

The prevailing view is that Christians are still considered second-class citizens, who are to be protected rather than respected.

In Bethlehem, the birthplace of Lord Jesus, there has been a sharp decline in the Christian population.

Christians in countries where they face persecution must pray and have their concerns presented to officials so that their situations could be rectified in due time.

Regardless of anything, the Christians in the Middle East have been serving as a key factor of stability and enlightenment in the societies where they live. They played major roles in the progress of their societies in various fields. Among the most prominent fields is the field of education. Christian missionaries launched the first ever educational institutions in the region including schools and universities. These educational institutions refined their respective societies and entrenched a culture of modern civilization.  Another field to mention is the field of health where the Christian missionaries built hospitals and health centers that helped heal the ill supplemented by divine wishes of quick recoveries.

In this regard, it is imported to recall reports that have circulated indicating that the Custody of the Holy Land is currently offering more than 582 houses in Jerusalem inside and outside the Old City, as well as 72 houses in Bethlehem to Christian families, a step designed to provide accommodation for a total of about 2,050 people, and consequently to entrench the Christian presence in these two cities in the Holy Land, and to maintain the Christian presence in the Land of Lord Jesus.

Such reports are really encouraging as they help protect the Christian presence in the Holy Land and serve a necessity for keeping the Churches open which enables the Christians to flock to churches to receive their sacraments.

The Franciscan Friars are highly appreciated for serving God's will by supporting needy people and maintaining salvation of their souls.

It is also important to recall the resounding words addressed by His Majesty King Abdullah II at the meeting with participants in "The Challenges Facing Arab Christians" Conference which convened in Amman on September 3, 2013.  He said, “We all have the duty to defend the Arab identity of Jerusalem, and protect its Islamic and Christian holy sites. Arab Christians should cling to their Arab identity. It is our collective duty to stand in the face of all practices aimed at displacing or marginalizing them.”