They smashed their churches but they could not break Syria's Christians

The remains of ancient Christian books burnt by Daesh militants, found in the ruins of St. George's Church in Al-Hasakah province of Syria.

Above are four of the photographs taken by Valeriy Melnikov for Sputnik's December 2015 photo essay, Rescued at Last: Christian Villages in Syria Liberated from Daesh. Two quotes from the essay:

"Over 30 Christian villages in Al-Hasakah province were completely devastated during the initial attack by Daesh forces."

"Despite being threatened by Daesh extremists, the local residents kept wearing their baptismal crosses and praying."

The caption for the first photograph reads, "A resident of one of the Christian villages in Al-Hasakah province of Syria prays in the ruins of St. George's Church destroyed by Daesh militants."
Merry Christmas to one and all.

Pundita