Damascus, March 30, 2026
Photo: Antioch Patriarchate
His Beatitude Patriarch John X of Antioch and All the East has condemned an attack on the city of Al-Suqaylabiyah in the Hama countryside in which properties were vandalized and a shrine of the Most Holy Theotokos was fired upon.
The Patriarchate called on authorities to open an official investigation, arrest and prosecute those responsible, and compensate those who suffered material damages. It also called for measures to prevent future incidents and for the state to assume full responsibility for maintaining civil peace, including control of unlicensed weapons.
The Patriarchate noted that such incidents are often dismissed as “individual acts” but said this is not necessarily the case, warning that they are intended to stir sectarian tensions. It reaffirmed that Syrian society is built on citizenship and integration among all its components. Pat. John concluded with the words: “Enough bloodshed in Syria.”
The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East, along with Patriarch JOHN X personally, has been following the events that took place yesterday in the city of Al-Suqaylabiyah in the countryside of Hama. The city was subjected to an attack and intimidation from neighboring areas, including acts of violence and vandalism that targeted properties, and the shrine of the Virgin Mary was fired upon. This attack triggered repercussions and waves of public anger that extended as far as Damascus and continued until late last night in front of the Patriarchate’s headquarters.
The Patriarchate strongly condemns, in the harshest terms, what has happened and continues to happen. It denounces and deplores the incidents affecting the Christian community. These incidents are often justified by being labeled as “individual acts,” though this is not necessarily the case. It calls on the relevant authorities to deal firmly with anyone who undermines civil peace and not to overlook the recurring events that are repeatedly described as “individual acts,” though this is not necessarily the case.
The Patriarchate calls for the opening of an official investigation leading to the arrest and prosecution of those involved, and for the Patriarchate to be formally informed of the results of this investigation. This comes in response to incidents that are intended to stir sectarian tensions, tensions from which Syria has historically been spared. It also calls for compensation for those who have suffered material damages. It also calls for the implementation of measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents, with the State, through its official institutions alone, assuming full responsibility for maintaining civil peace, including the control of unlicensed weapons.
The Patriarchate expresses its appreciation for the support and solidarity shown by its faithful, and for their sympathy and engagement with all that affects the Christian presence in Syria. It also values their concern for the shared life of the Syrian people in all its diversity, whether Muslim or Christian. It affirms that Syrian dignity and Syrian society are founded on the principles of citizenship and integration among all components, rather than on a majority–minority logic.
The Patriarchate affirms, before its Christian faithful spread across the world and before all, the necessity of moving from words to actions. It reiterates, in the words of its Patriarch JOHN X: “Enough bloodshed in Syria.”
Amid all that has happened and continues to unfold, and on the threshold of the Holy Passion of Christ, it prays to the Lord of Peace and the God of all consolation to protect this country. It affirms its full confidence, echoing the words of Holy Scripture that dispel all fear: “God is in Her midst; She shall not be shaken.”
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