"For centuries, this picturesque, predominantly Christian village nestled on the slopes of the Qalamoun Mountains north of Damascus preserved its ancient customs and traditions – including Aramaic, the presumed language of Jesus."
UPDATE: 06/09/2013 - BASHAR AL-ASSAD - CHRISTIANS - DAMASCUS - REBELS - SYRIA - WAR
Fighting rocks historic Syrian Christian village
© Heretiq - Wikimedia Commons
Perched on a mountainside north of Damascus, the Christian village of Maaloula has seen a precarious calm since the Syrian revolt began. But tacit agreements between the warring sides crumbled this week as fighting rocked the historic hamlet.
Leela JACINTO (text)
link-
http://www.france24.com/en/20130906-syria-christian-village-maaloula-fighting-rebels