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Syria Crucified: Stories of Modern Martyrdom in an Ancient Christian Land
The tragic war in Syria along with the plight of the Christians there remains among the most misunderstood situations in the world today. Syria Crucified seeks to contribute to better understanding in the West by giving a voice to individual Syrian Christians living in exile from their homeland. These men and women have undergone horrific trauma and loss without losing their faith in God or the ability to forgive their persecutors. Their first-person accounts, framed by the authors' narration for historical, cultural, and geopolitical context, are both edifying and inspiring.
213 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 15, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 31, 2021
Syria Crucified
For us in America, especially those born and raised here. The concept of martyrdom for our faith seems to belong to the pages of history. However, in Syria people are being persecuted for the Orthodox Faith daily, and many have been martyred. Syria Crucified brings us stories of modern martyrs in Syria. This book struck especially home for me since my wife’s family were originally from Syria. Zachary Wingerd and Brad Hoff bring us a collection of stories from those who have been personally persecuted and martyred. From Rouba’s Story to Ibrahim’s Story, I was entranced. These are stories of deep love of the Faith and the sacrifice that these brave souls endured. It is almost impossible for us as American Orthodox (especially those who have been born a converted here) to understand the pain and suffering of the Syrian Orthodox daily. I highly suggest that every Orthodox read this book, understand that there are still those being martyred and know that our Faith in some parts of the world is still under siege. Reading this is like having the band aid of ignorance ripped off in one motion. It will hurt and you may cry, but a healing of both understanding and love for these souls will be your reward
Charlie Stayton
For us in America, especially those born and raised here. The concept of martyrdom for our faith seems to belong to the pages of history. However, in Syria people are being persecuted for the Orthodox Faith daily, and many have been martyred. Syria Crucified brings us stories of modern martyrs in Syria. This book struck especially home for me since my wife’s family were originally from Syria. Zachary Wingerd and Brad Hoff bring us a collection of stories from those who have been personally persecuted and martyred. From Rouba’s Story to Ibrahim’s Story, I was entranced. These are stories of deep love of the Faith and the sacrifice that these brave souls endured. It is almost impossible for us as American Orthodox (especially those who have been born a converted here) to understand the pain and suffering of the Syrian Orthodox daily. I highly suggest that every Orthodox read this book, understand that there are still those being martyred and know that our Faith in some parts of the world is still under siege. Reading this is like having the band aid of ignorance ripped off in one motion. It will hurt and you may cry, but a healing of both understanding and love for these souls will be your reward
Charlie Stayton
January 15, 2022
Syria Crucified by Zachary Wingerd and Brad Hoff was eye-opening. I'll admit that I was very ignorant of the situation in Syria before reading it, so I did not begin the book with any preconceptions. Each chapter is devoted to a person or family who lived in Syria during the war and goes through their personal experiences while also giving the reader more information about the conflict and the Syrian way of life before things took a turn for the worse.
The common thread throughout the book was resilience in the face of danger. Whether it was the monks who stayed at their monastery, refusing to abandon their spiritual home, or the young doctor who tore up his ID to avoid being coerced into joining the enemy, each story was filled with the quiet bravery and deep faith of the Syrian Christians in the face of danger and persecution. No one in the book was untouched by the loss and trauma that war brings, but they persevered and did not lose faith. As someone who has been through trauma and been diagnosed with PTSD, I was in awe of their strength.
Another aspect of the book I found valuable was the knowledge of Syria that the authors and their interviewees share with their readers. There were descriptions that inspired, such as the image of Muslims venerating saints and joining in the Paschal procession alongside Christians. But then there was also the underlying tension described by others, knowing they could not progress in their careers as Christians and always feeling a distance from Muslim friends and acquaintances. As someone who knew nothing about Syria before reading Syria Crucified other than that we intervened in a civil war years ago, this was very enlightening. At the same time, it was also discouraging to read about what our American government supported. After finishing the book, I feel much more informed about the nuances of the Syrian conflict.
I would definitely recommend this book! I think it would especially resonate with Orthodox Christians and those who are interested in a different perspective on the Syrian war, but honestly I think it is important for everyone to read Syria Crucified.
The common thread throughout the book was resilience in the face of danger. Whether it was the monks who stayed at their monastery, refusing to abandon their spiritual home, or the young doctor who tore up his ID to avoid being coerced into joining the enemy, each story was filled with the quiet bravery and deep faith of the Syrian Christians in the face of danger and persecution. No one in the book was untouched by the loss and trauma that war brings, but they persevered and did not lose faith. As someone who has been through trauma and been diagnosed with PTSD, I was in awe of their strength.
Another aspect of the book I found valuable was the knowledge of Syria that the authors and their interviewees share with their readers. There were descriptions that inspired, such as the image of Muslims venerating saints and joining in the Paschal procession alongside Christians. But then there was also the underlying tension described by others, knowing they could not progress in their careers as Christians and always feeling a distance from Muslim friends and acquaintances. As someone who knew nothing about Syria before reading Syria Crucified other than that we intervened in a civil war years ago, this was very enlightening. At the same time, it was also discouraging to read about what our American government supported. After finishing the book, I feel much more informed about the nuances of the Syrian conflict.
I would definitely recommend this book! I think it would especially resonate with Orthodox Christians and those who are interested in a different perspective on the Syrian war, but honestly I think it is important for everyone to read Syria Crucified.
December 2, 2022
At best, I have a vague understanding of the conflict in Syria, and I was interested to learn more about the plight of my Orthodox brothers and sisters. I was already aware of the Turkish genocide of Christians in the Ottoman empire. I am also generally aware of the persecution of Christians around the globe. It is easy for these things to seem long ago and far away. This is not the case.
The history of Christians in the region is long and beautiful. Christianity came to Syria in the earliest years of the church and Syrian Christians have been practicing their faith in much the same way ever since. The persecution of these Christians is detailed at length in this book through interviews with those who have survived, and those who have fled. It is eye-opening and heartbreaking.
Two things stood out to me, and were continually raised by the individuals interviewed for the book:
1. The Western Media lies about what is happening in Syria. Most people have no idea what is happening there.
2. Syria was largely peaceful with Muslims and Christians living side by side, until terrorists were supported by countries and groups outside Syria, namely the US.
Growing up in the 1980’s and beyond I heard arguments along the lines that the US was the world policeman. That the United States needed to use its might to restore order and bring justice to the rest of the world. This book, along with our decades long war in Afghanistan and Iraq, shows how very wrong those arguments were. It seems the US was less policeman and more instigator, and now the Syrian Christians are suffering the consequences.
The history of Christians in the region is long and beautiful. Christianity came to Syria in the earliest years of the church and Syrian Christians have been practicing their faith in much the same way ever since. The persecution of these Christians is detailed at length in this book through interviews with those who have survived, and those who have fled. It is eye-opening and heartbreaking.
Two things stood out to me, and were continually raised by the individuals interviewed for the book:
1. The Western Media lies about what is happening in Syria. Most people have no idea what is happening there.
2. Syria was largely peaceful with Muslims and Christians living side by side, until terrorists were supported by countries and groups outside Syria, namely the US.
Growing up in the 1980’s and beyond I heard arguments along the lines that the US was the world policeman. That the United States needed to use its might to restore order and bring justice to the rest of the world. This book, along with our decades long war in Afghanistan and Iraq, shows how very wrong those arguments were. It seems the US was less policeman and more instigator, and now the Syrian Christians are suffering the consequences.
April 25, 2022
This was a great book for those of us who think that we know what's going on in the world. Unfortunately, our media does allow us to know the facts on the ground. One great strength of this book is the first person view from Christians on the front line. The other great strength is the Orthodox Christian point of view, where they actually deployed the tenets of the Faith, including humility, love your enemies, and extreme faith in God as protector. Although one might come away from reading this book that it might have a bias toward the oppressive and violent regime of the al-Assad family, it really is the thinking transmitted through the eyes of the Syrian beholders. That is, they respected the strength and methods required to maintain a pluralistic society, and the benefit (ability to worship with freedom and security in a dangerous region for Christians) was worth the sacrifices. I think that those of us in the US really need this insight so that we can form a coherent opinion of these regional politics. I only wish that our leaders would have listened to these voices before stumbling into the region, fanning the flames of anti-Christianity, and assisting in the destruction of such a vital representation of Christianity in the birthplace of the Faith.
February 7, 2022
Reading this book should provoke thankfulness for any Christian living in a relatively peaceful land. Even with the pandemic and church closures it pales in comparison to what Syrian Christians have had to endure in recent times.
Syria Crucified shows how quickly societal collapse and war can lead to persecution of Christians.
The interviews are extremely moving espeically the one with a priest towards the end detailing his kidnapping by "rebels."
Appreciated also is the discussion on how American foreign policy is killing Christians abroad.
Syria Crucified shows how quickly societal collapse and war can lead to persecution of Christians.
The interviews are extremely moving espeically the one with a priest towards the end detailing his kidnapping by "rebels."
Appreciated also is the discussion on how American foreign policy is killing Christians abroad.
May 30, 2022
Eye-opening accounts of Christian Syrians living through war supported by the West. “I believe in Christianity as a preparation for the Kingdom of Heaven, not for an earthly kingdom. So, we [the Orthodox Church] are a little distant from political life. Fifty years ago, Christians here had a saying that became very well known that faith was between you and God, but the country was for everybody.” -Metropolitan Paul, kidnapped by insurgents in 2013.
October 8, 2025
I enjoyed the concept of Wingerd’s book. Not a fan of the title - feels like over-hyped click bate. Wasn’t necessary as the book itself was very interesting. Some of the jumping from Syrian history to modern “Martyrdom” (as Wingerd calls it) got a little fragmented and confusing to follow as a true historical timeline. I couldn’t help feeling throughout the book that the theme was “Better the devil you know (Assad) than the devil you don’t (ISIS, etc.)
March 3, 2023
A very enlightening book about the war in Syria with particular attention to the suffering of the Christian community there.
I just felt that there is a great deal of repetition that could have been avoided without compromising the massage.
I just felt that there is a great deal of repetition that could have been avoided without compromising the massage.
September 2, 2023
The concept of this book was interesting to me, but it wasn't my favorite. It was a little slow and had a lot of historical details, which were a little dry. The individual stories I enjoyed but felt the organization of the stories was different from my preference.
May 6, 2022
Heart touching. Must read for Christians
December 28, 2022
Absolutely heartbreaking and yet also so filled with hope and incredible examples of faith and love.
March 26, 2023
Riveting accounts from people experiencing trials first hand and offering a perspective not often seen in mainstream media
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews