Iraq's Christian community's suffering will continue into the Christmas season, as Christmas service cancellations and reschedulings continue throughout the troubled country. The decision to alter traditional celebrations comes after endless series of attacks against churches across Iraq.

Bishop Andreas Abuna reported that Chaldean Patriarch Emmanuel Delly has ordered the usual 10pm service on 24th December to be moved forward to 5pm, and has given the warning to his congregation not to travel to present him with Christmas greetings, event though this has long been the tradition. Mass on Christmas Day, however, will remain unaltered.

"It is a way to protest against the attacks. We want peace," he said as he denied that the mass schedule had been altered because of security concerns.

Attendances across Iraq’s churches have plummeted over the past year, particularly now as the festive season is upon us. One church has even reported how usually it would have been packed with a congregation of more than seven hundred. However, last Sunday just twenty-seven people turned up amid growing fear and anxiety at large Christian gatherings in the region.

Christians in Iraq have come under increasing attacks from extremists in the country as many have been misled into believing that the American-led was against Iraq’s Saddam Hussein regime was an attack by the Christian west against the Islamic middle east – an accusation firmly and continuously rebutted by the western world.

The situation now has gotten so bad now, that many Christian women have taken to wearing head scarves when they leave their houses to blend in and avoid harassment by extremists.

Kirkuk Archbishop, Luis Saco recently spoke to parishioners as he announced the cancellation of Christmas celebrations. He said, "We are the agents of no one, and we don't accept being linked to the occupiers because of our religion. Blowing up our churches and frightening our sons will not solve the problems of Iraq."

Christian leaders have estimated that up to 50,000 Christians have fled to neighbouring Jordan and Syria since the same time last year.

Attacks this year have included coordinated bombings on five churches during August, as well as drive-by shootings against Christian store owners. This continued violence has created a terrifying atmosphere for Iraq’s Christians, at a time usually set aside for celebration and joy at the arrival of Christ.

A number of churches have even resorted to hiring guards who patrol the churches with firearms to see off any potential attacks.

Other church leaders have said that they would prefer to cancel their Christmas services rather than to use the option of using metal detectors, or use body searches on their congregations.

Saif Sadi, the manager of one store in Iraq, which has seen sales plummet 75% this year during the festive season, said, "All the Christians have left the country."

Father Peter Haddad, who is the head of the Virgin Mary Church in Baghdad, in an emotional statement said, "Officially we are not celebrating this year."

However, despite the seemingly endless problems, many Iraqis have been determined to retain the meaning and spiritual atmosphere of Christmas.

Hazim Jameel, a taxi driver said, "Our beliefs will never fade. It’s vital that people live their normal lives."

Father Haddad, has said that he will in fact keep his church open for Christmas services, and has encouraged Christians at this hard time to seriously reflect on the religious significance of the holiday, rather than to focus on the glamour and highlight of presents and gifts. He hopes that Christmas can be a time of strength for all Christians in Iraq, and believes that this can come if the focus of the season is right.

His Christmas Eve sermon will attempt to inspire worshippers. "There are very bad days, but they will pass," he concluded.