Jerusalem’s patriarchs, heads of churches condemn attack on Damascus Greek Orthodox church
[Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem] The Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem, which includes Anglican Archbishop Hosam Naoum, on June 23 issued the following statement condemning the June 22 attack on the Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Damascus, Syria, that killed 22 worshipers and injured 63 others.
On Sunday, June 22, as more than 150 clergy and faithful were gathered for worship at Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Damascus, three attackers first shot at the church door before storming inside, with one finally blowing himself up as the other two fled. The explosion killed at least 22 worshipers and wounded 63 others while also causing extensive damage to the interior of the sacred worship space in an act of desecration.
We, the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem, categorically condemn this heinous assault against our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and call upon the interim Syrian government to not only capture the escaped attackers and bring them to justice, but also to take extensive measures to protect the lives and religious freedoms of all Christians and other religious groups inside Syria.
Standing in unwavering solidarity with His Beatitude Patriarch John X Yazigi and those clergy and people under his pastoral care, we also extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and offer our prayers for healing and a speedy recovery to those who were wounded in this terrorist assault. May the Lord “heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3).
Lastly, we would like to gratefully acknowledge the expressions of support from religious and secular leaders, both locally and internationally, in the aftermath of this tragic event. We strongly urge all such leaders and people of goodwill to continue to denounce religious hatred, violence and degradation, while working to promote justice, peace, and reconciliation among people of any and all creeds and beliefs.
