Wadi Al-Nadara Celebrated “Eid il-Burbara

St. Barbara’s Day kicks off Christmas Celebrations

The Christmas tree was lit in the town of Al Hawash in Wadi Al-Nadara in the countryside of Homs as a message of love and peace from the land of peace, to assure the whole world that a people who has been experienced tough grief   through the long years of war can create joy and deserve to live

All the valley villages have lived the happy rituals of the celebration in all its churches, squares, Lanes and streets.

Father Ghassan Hanout, at Mar Mikhail Church in Hawash, said: “Our celebrations this year brings happiness and hope for the end of the unjust war against Syria. We have prayed that 2018 will  be the year of peace for all Syrians and the end of terrorism on our lovely country.”

Christina, a young girl  from al- Mouzina town, said: ” “Eid il-Burbara is a popular festival  to celebrate the feast of St. Barbara and an ancient ritual from the early days of Christianity.

 Although there are different versions of the story of St. Barbara, Christians in the Middle East still celebrate St. Barbara’s Day on December.4 every year.

 Christina  went on to say :“To celebrate St. Barbara’s Day, we make special dish and share it with our family and bring it to our friends.  Adults and children disguise themselves and go from house to house in the villages singing for Barbara knocking  on the  neighborhood doors in search of money and candy.

“Through our celebrations, we send a message to the whole world that we exist  . Despite all our sorrows and pains, we heal the wounds and build the homeland. Syria is the dearest and the most important ,”Christina concluded.

Amal Farhat –  Wadi Al-Nadara -Homs