Syrian Christians face uncertainty as rebels promise to respect their rights and Assad regime falls

Syria’s ancient Christian communities could face new threats during a period of uncertainty and change in Syria, even as the Islamist rebels who toppled Dictator Bashar al-Assad promise to respect their rights and property. 

It was in the city of Antioch in ancient Syria where the followers of Jesus Christ were first labeled Christians. Today, those same Christian churches that trace their roots back to the early evangelization in Syria have endured centuries of sectarian conflict as a minority group in an Arab and Islamic society.