28 C O N T E X T 1 5 0 : J U L Y 2 0 1 7 in the 1980s resulted in the destruction of a number of significant monuments. One of the present authors, Ataa Alsalloum, was born in Homs and spent her childhood there.Visits to the the old covered souks was great fun, providing a place for community, bartering and exchange. In her neighbourhood of Al Hamidia, visiting the three iconic churches (Greek Roman of Forty Martyrs, Greek Catholic and St Mary) on Palm Sunday with a group of friends was one of the best memories, including going from one church to another after mass to see the celebrations outside the churches, and to collect the special brooches issued on that day. St Mary’s Churchwas one of Alsalloum’s favourite places because of its location among other churches and its accomplished choir, accompanied by percussion. In Homs, Greek, Catholic and Anglican denominations live together with no differences. Christians make up 10 per cent of Syria’s population. St Mary’s Church is a historical Syriac Orthodox Church, where the Sunday mass used to be in the Syriac/ Aramaic language. Built over an underground church dating back to 50AD, it is claimed to house the belt of theVirgin Mary, after whom the church is named. It was rebuilt in 1852 as an extension for the very old church, with the local black basalt stones of Homs and a simple cruciform plan. The church was built by local skilled builders from Al Hamidia district. It is the seat of the Syriac Orthodox archbishopric in Syria. Before the armed conflict, the church used to play a vital role in the community. It taught the Syriac/Aramaic language and provided a parish hall, youth clubs, music groups, choirs and brass bands. It was severely damaged in 2012. The opposition forces used it as a shelter and destroyed all signs of Christianity in it. Fortunately, the holy belt had been removed and was saved. Khalid ibn al-Walid Mosque in 2014 (Photo: Facebook) Khalid ibn al-Walid Mosque (right and below) before the civil war (Photo:Wikipedia)
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