Damascus, June 23, 2025
The Syrian Scene—Facebook
A suicide bomber affiliated with the Islamic State stormed into a Damascus church during Sunday services, killing at least 15 people in the first major terrorist attack in Syria’s capital since the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad last December.
The attacker entered the Mar Elias Church in Damascus’ Dweila neighborhood, opened fire on congregants, and then detonated an explosive device strapped to his body, according to Syria’s Interior Ministry, news9live reports.
While officials confirmed that two individuals had planned the assault, only one carried out the deadly attack.
Initial reports from Syria’s Health Ministry cited nine fatalities and 13 wounded, though security sources later confirmed the death toll had risen to at least 15. Video footage revealed the devastating aftermath inside the sanctuary—bloodstained floors, shattered wooden pews, and severely damaged walls:
The attack has heightened concerns about dormant extremist networks operating within Syria as the new Islamist-led government works to consolidate control and build trust among the nation's diverse communities.
Syrian Information Minister Hamza Mostafa denounced the incident as an act of terrorism that contradicts the nation’s shared civic principles and vowed that authorities would intensify efforts to dismantle criminal organizations threatening public safety.
The Patriarchate of Antioch issued a statement yesterday:
On this day when our Antiochian Church commemorates All the Saints of Antioch, the treacherous hand of evil struck this evening, claiming our lives, along with the lives of our loved ones who fell today as martyrs during the evening Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Prophet Elias in Dweilaa, Damascus.
According to the initial information available at this time, an explosion occurred at the entrance of the church, resulting in the deaths of numerous martyrs and causing injuries to many others who were inside the church or in its immediate vicinity.
As we are currently counting the martyrs and the wounded, and gathering the remains and bodies of our martyrs, whose exact number we have not yet been able to determine, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East strongly condemns this heinous act and denounces, in the strongest terms, this horrific crime. It calls upon the responsible authorities to assume full responsibility for what has happened and continues to happen in terms of violation against the sanctity of churches, and to ensure the protection of all citizens.
His Beatitude Patriarch John X has been personally following the developments from the very first moment. He is conducting both local and regional communications to convey the grim reality unfolding in Damascus to the entire world. He is calling for urgent action to put an end to these massacres.
We offer our prayers for the repose of the souls of the martyrs, for the healing of the wounded, and for the consolation of our grieving faithful. We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to our faith and, through that steadfastness, our rejection of all fear and intimidation. We beseech Christ our God to guide the ship of our salvation through the storms of this world, He who is blessed forever.
His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem also issued a statement of condolences. He also expressed his full support for the Antiochian primate: “We stand in unshakable solidarity with our beloved brother in Christ, His Beatitude Patriarch John X Yazigi. May the Lord grant him strength and discernment as he shepherds his flock through this dark hour. The Patriarchate of Jerusalem affirms its unwavering spiritual support for the Patriarchate of Antioch, and joins in prayer for healing, justice, and peace.”
Follow OrthoChristian on Twitter, Vkontakte, Telegram, WhatsApp, MeWe, and Gab!
