Christian refuge

"When Islamic State conquered [2014] the ancient city of Mosul, Iraq, their videos trumpeted destruction of important works of art. Now they have conquered the city of Palmyra, Syria, and again they destroy [2015]."

So much destruction and violence just a few years ago. IS was militarily defeated in 2017, but many belonging to religious minorities have been afraid to go back.

There is a place the few Christians who remain feel safe to go to celebrate mass: it's St. Matthew's Monastery, established in the year 363 A.D. -- only about 330 years after Jesus Christ's death and resurrection.

Besman Naif, 42, a Christian man from a nearby village, says "It’s safe for us to pray here . . We aren’t safe anywhere else . . The [IS] mentality is still there, many well-known terrorists just blended back into the community."

(cont'd tomorrow)