The militant was injured by the grenade he tried to launch.
Izra, Syria, November 2, 2018
Photo: pravoslavie.ru The rector of the Church of St. George the Victorious in the Syrian city of Izra in the Daraa Governorate has shared a story about how the greatly-beloved saint protected his church against the attacks of terrorists.
“When the militants were nearby, one of them wanted to shoot the church from a grenade launcher, but the grenade got stuck and exploded right there in the barrel, and his arms were injured,” parish rector Fr. Elias told journalists, RIA-Novosti reports.
During the war, people of various religious confessions have found shelter in the church. “Even when the militants were surrounding Izra from all sides, services continued in the church every Friday and Sunday,” Fr. Elias said.
Local residents say that upon returning to Izra, many of those who had left the city first go to the church to entreat St. George for protection and help in various endeavors: rebuilding a ruined house, the opening of a store, and so on.
“When we are here, we are not afraid. People come here because they are sure that St. George will protect them,” said Izra resident Elkit Najib.
Photo: pravoslavie.ru The Church of St. George in Izra was built in 515 on the site of a pagan sanctuary, and the saint’s relics were long preserved there, later being transferred to Palestine by English King Richard the Lionhearted, with the saint’s finger remaining in the church in Izra.
The church, made of basalt, is considered one of the main monuments of world Church architecture. After an earthquake in the early 20th century seriously damaged the church’s dome, funds were transferred by Russian Emperor Nicholas II for its restoration.
For photos of St. George’s Church and other holy sites in Syria from before the war, see the photo gallery “Pre-War Syria: Peaceful Life and Holy Places.”
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