Iraqi Christians Carry On Through War And Persecution

BAGHDAD, IRAQ - JULY 24: An Iraqi Christian woman touches a picture of Jesus before a Sunday service at St. Joseph Chaldean Church on July 24, 2011 in Baghdad, Iraq. Forming one of the oldest Christian communities of the Middle East, Iraqi Christians have been targeted for attack since 2003, with numerous abductions, murders and threats for them to leave Iraq. In 1980 Iraqi Christians made up over 7% of the population and have now declined to below 3%. St Joseph, which was established in 1959 and which once had as many as 1,200 families in its parish, now has only 150 to 200 families left. Christians across the Middle East have been experiencing similar threats to their communities and businesses as the Arab Spring unleashes pent-up hostilities and economic uncertainty. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)