Syrian Christians have attended Christmas services for the first time since President Bashar al-Assad was ousted in early December.
In Sednaya, Syria, a large crowd gathered near a famous monastery at Christmas time to watch the lighting of a tall tree decorated with green lights.
The celebration provided a moment of unusual joy in a city that was scarred by war for more than a decade and its infamous prison, where thousands of people were imprisoned.
Families and friends stood by the lighted tree, some wearing Santa hats, others watching from rooftops, as a live band and fireworks lit up the sky.
“This year is different, there is joy, victory and the new birth of Syria and the new birth of Christ,” said Houssam Saadeh.
Another, Joseph Khabbaz, expressed hope for unity between all groups and religions in Syria.
The church of Our Lady of Damascus in the Syrian capital was filled with a mixed congregation of young and old, holding candles as music filled the air and echoed throughout the congregation.
A few hours before the event, many protesters in Damascus had gathered to protest what happened to a Christmas tree that was burned in the northern province of Hama in the west of central Syria.
Carrying wooden crosses, they chanted: “We are your soldiers Jesus”, “With our blood and our lives, we sacrifice for Jesus”, and “The Arameans are one.”