SYRIA-CONFLICT-RELIGION-CHRISTIAN

Syrian Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarch Gregory III Laham (R) leads a mass attended by children from the Christian town of Maalula, a symbol of the ancient Christian presence in Syria which is currently under control of Syrian rebels, including jihadist groups, on December 18, 2013 in Damascus. Patriarch Laham, has called on his fellow Christians to stay in Syria, despite the brutal conflict raging in the country. According to the patriarch, 450,000 Syrian Christians have been displaced by the conflict that began in March 2011, around 40,000 of whom have fled to Lebanon. AFP PHOTO/LOUAI BESHARA (Photo credit should read LOUAI BESHARA/AFP via Getty Images)