By Joseph DeCaro, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) - After the April liberation of an ancient Syrian town from the Islamic State's control, many of its churches and Christian buildings were found to have been destroyed, or badly damaged.
According to Barnabas Aid, the town of Qaryatain had been occupied by IS jihadists for seven months until it was recaptured by government troops and local militia.
Among the damaged buildings is Qaryatain's 1,500 year-old St. Elias Monastery, which had been deliberately bulldozed by the jihadists. Yet despite all their attempts to raze the monastery's church to the ground, it still stands -- although all of its Christian symbols have been destroyed.
Barnabas Aid is working closely with local church leaders to provide support for Christians throughout Syria, including aid for believers forced to flee their homes in Qaryatain.