90% of Iraq's Greek Orthodox Christians Displaced; Only 30 of 600 Orth. Families Remain in Baghdad

The Christian Post website reports today (October 29, 2014) that as Islamic State (IS) extremists continue their reign of terror through Iraq and Syria, the chaos, violence, and persecution forced upon the thousands of people in the region has caused 90 percent of Orthodox Christians in Iraq to flee the sanctity of their homes, according to the Greek Orthodox Bishop of Baghdad, Ghattas Hazim.

Hazim -- who is also the Greek Orthodox Bishop of Kuwait and other surrounding nations -- said in a recent interview that he fears for the future of the Orthodox Christian presence in Iraq, Syria, and the  entire Mesopotamia region.

Citing unspecified statistics, Hazim said that 90 percent of Iraqi Orthodox Christians have been displaced from their homes. He added that only 30 of 600 Orthodox families remain in Baghdad as ISIS' (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) quest to conquer the capital of Iraq continues.

In Mosul -- the Islamic State's stronghold in Iraq in the northern Nineveh province -- Hazim said only 10 Orthodox families remain. It is believed that the only Christians left in Mosul are those who cannot afford to leave, or those who are not physically able to leave.