{"id":52573,"date":"2025-07-23T18:40:05","date_gmt":"2025-07-23T18:40:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/?p=52573"},"modified":"2025-07-23T18:40:05","modified_gmt":"2025-07-23T18:40:05","slug":"church-leaders-react-to-deadly-attack-on-mar-elias-church-in-damascus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/es\/learn\/church-leaders-react-to-deadly-attack-on-mar-elias-church-in-damascus\/","title":{"rendered":"Church leaders react to deadly attack on Mar Elias church in Damascus"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n An attack on Mar Elias Church in Al-Duwaileh, Damascus, by a suicide bomber reportedly killed 22 and injured 59 people on June 22, 2025. \/ Credit: Mohammed Al-Rifai\/ACI MENA<\/span>\n<\/div>\n

ACI MENA, Jun 23, 2025 \/ 12:06 pm (CNA).<\/p>\n

The death toll from the attack on Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Church in the Douailah district of Damascus has risen to 22, with 59 others injured, according to Syria\u2019s Ministry of Health. The attack took place during a Sunday evening Divine Liturgy attended by nearly 400 faithful.<\/p>\n

\"The
The attack on Mar Elias Church in Al-Duwaileh, Damascus, Syria, reportedly killed 22 and injured 59 people on June 22, 2025. Credit: Mohammed Al-Rifai\/ACI MENA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Eyewitnesses reported that two armed men stormed the church. One of them remained outside, firing at worshippers and into the church\u2019s stained-glass windows, while the second tried to enter the church and detonate a grenade. <\/p>\n

Two parishioners, Jiris and Boutros Bishara, intervened and managed to wrestle the explosive device away from the second man, preventing an immediate detonation. However, while being dragged outside, the attacker activated his suicide belt, resulting in a massive explosion that killed and wounded dozens and caused extensive destruction.<\/p>\n

This marks the first religiously motivated attack targeting Christians in Syria since the fall of the previous regime more than six and a half months ago, reviving prior warnings and threats against the Christian minority despite earlier assurances of protection after the political transition.<\/p>\n

\"The
The attack on Mar Elias Church in Al-Duwaileh, Damascus, Syria, killed 22 and injured 59 people on June 22, 2025. Credit: Mohammed Al-Rifai\/ACI MENA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Father Melatios Shtahi of the Greek Orthodox Church, speaking from the crime scene, stated: \u201cRemaining silent about what was once described as isolated incidents has led us to this very moment. I am not surprised.\u201d<\/p>\n

The attack drew widespread condemnation from local, international, and ecclesiastical authorities.<\/p>\n

The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch called on authorities to take full responsibility for protecting places of worship and ensuring the safety of all citizens. Patriarch John X. Yazigi has been in contact with local and regional leaders to \u201cconvey this dark image from Damascus to the entire world and demand an end to these massacres.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarchate stated the assault is part of an alarming rise in sectarian tension in Syria and reflects the increasing threats to Christians\u2019 lives and their right to worship freely.<\/p>\n

Syriac Orthodox Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II expressed to Patriarch John X his hope for a swift and transparent investigation into the incident.<\/p>\n

Maronite patriarch Cardinal Bechara Boutros al-Rai said: \u201cTargeting Christians in the East is an affront to the very fabric of this region, which is now facing existential threats to its civilizations, cultures, and heritage of diversity.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"A
A stroller left behind after the suicide attack on Mar Elias Church in Al-Duwaileh, Damascus, on June 22, 2025. Credit: Mohammed Al-Rifai\/ACI MENA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Armenian Catholic Patriarchate affirmed that \u201cChristians do not fear intimidation nor surrender to hatred. The blood of yesterday\u2019s martyrs is a resounding cry for truth in the face of injustice.\u201d<\/p>\n

Theophilos III, Greek Orthodox patriarch of Jerusalem, described the attack as \u201ca barbaric act that is not only an assault on Christians in Syria but also a deep wound to the dignity of all humanity.\u201d<\/p>\n

Syriac Catholic Patriarch Ignatius Joseph III Younan stressed that \u201cthis attack is meant to sow division and drive innocent people from their homes. It is a clear act of terrorism plotted by the forces of darkness.\u201d<\/p>\n

Esta historia <\/em>fue publicada originalmente<\/em><\/a> por ACI MENA, socio de noticias en \u00e1rabe de CNA, y ha sido traducido y adaptado por CNA.<\/em><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.catholicnewsagency.com\/news\/264933\/church-leaders-react-to-deadly-attack-on-mar-elias-church-in-damascus<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

An attack on Mar Elias Church in Al-Duwaileh, Damascus, by a suicide bomber reportedly killed 22 and injured 59 people on June 22, 2025. \/ Credit: Mohammed Al-Rifai\/ACI MENA ACI MENA, Jun 23, 2025 \/ 12:06 pm (CNA). The death toll from the attack on Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Church in the Douailah district of [\u2026]<\/p>","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":58061,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false},"categories":[100],"tags":[],"series":[],"class_list":["post-52573","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-christian-news"],"mb":[],"acf":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Church-leaders-react-to-deadly-attack-on-Mar-Elias-church-in-Damascus.webp?fit=800%2C533&quality=75&ssl=1","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":52809,"url":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/es\/learn\/solemn-farewell-for-victims-of-damascus-church-bombing-amid-anger-at-government-silence\/","url_meta":{"origin":52573,"position":0},"title":"Solemn farewell for victims of Damascus church bombing amid anger at government silence","author":"Christian Pure Team","date":"noviembre 4, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Mourners gather at the Church of the Holy Cross in Qassaa, Damascus, on June 24, 2025, around white caskets of some of the worshippers who lost their lives in a terrorist attack at the Mar Elias Church in the Dweila neighborhood of Syria\u2019s capital on Sunday, June 22, 2025. \/\u2026","rel":"","context":"En \u00abChristian News\u00bb","block_context":{"text":"Christian News","link":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/es\/learn\/category\/christian-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Solemn farewell for victims of Damascus church bombing amid anger at government silence","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Solemn-farewell-for-victims-of-Damascus-church-bombing-amid-anger-at-government-silence.webp?fit=800%2C533&quality=75&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Solemn-farewell-for-victims-of-Damascus-church-bombing-amid-anger-at-government-silence.webp?fit=800%2C533&quality=75&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Solemn-farewell-for-victims-of-Damascus-church-bombing-amid-anger-at-government-silence.webp?fit=800%2C533&quality=75&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Solemn-farewell-for-victims-of-Damascus-church-bombing-amid-anger-at-government-silence.webp?fit=800%2C533&quality=75&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":53858,"url":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/es\/learn\/churches-in-syria-resume-liturgies-amid-heightened-security-and-unease\/","url_meta":{"origin":52573,"position":1},"title":"Churches in Syria resume liturgies amid heightened security and unease","author":"Christian Pure Team","date":"julio 8, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"The faithful take part in the Divine Liturgy at Our Lady of the Olive Church in Damascus, Syria, on Sunday, June 29, 2025. \/ Credit: Mohammad Al-Rifai\/ACI MENA ACI MENA, Jun 30, 2025 \/ 14:56 pm (CNA). A week after the deadly attack on Mar Elias Church in Damascus, Syria,\u2026","rel":"","context":"En \u00abChristian News\u00bb","block_context":{"text":"Christian News","link":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/es\/learn\/category\/christian-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Churches in Syria resume liturgies amid heightened security and unease","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Churches-in-Syria-resume-liturgies-amid-heightened-security-and-unease.webp?fit=800%2C533&quality=75&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Churches-in-Syria-resume-liturgies-amid-heightened-security-and-unease.webp?fit=800%2C533&quality=75&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Churches-in-Syria-resume-liturgies-amid-heightened-security-and-unease.webp?fit=800%2C533&quality=75&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Churches-in-Syria-resume-liturgies-amid-heightened-security-and-unease.webp?fit=800%2C533&quality=75&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":52743,"url":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/es\/learn\/pope-leo-xiv-deeply-saddened-by-islamist-attack-on-a-church-in-damascus\/","url_meta":{"origin":52573,"position":2},"title":"Pope Leo XIV \u2018deeply saddened\u2019 by Islamist attack on a church in Damascus","author":"Christian Pure Team","date":"junio 30, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Pope Leo XIV waves to those gathered for Mass on the solemnity of Corpus Christi on Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Rome. \/ Credit: Vatican Media ACI Prensa Staff, Jun 24, 2025 \/ 14:47 pm (CNA). Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday said he was \u201cdeeply saddened\u201d by the terrorist attack\u2026","rel":"","context":"En \u00abIslam: Satan's Religion\u00bb","block_context":{"text":"Islam: Satan's Religion","link":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/es\/learn\/category\/islam\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/CNA_LOGOredblk-163.png?fit=1200%2C335&quality=69&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/CNA_LOGOredblk-163.png?fit=1200%2C335&quality=69&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/CNA_LOGOredblk-163.png?fit=1200%2C335&quality=69&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/CNA_LOGOredblk-163.png?fit=1200%2C335&quality=69&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/CNA_LOGOredblk-163.png?fit=1200%2C335&quality=69&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":55374,"url":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/es\/learn\/report-details-killings-discrimination-against-religious-minorities-in-post-assad-syria\/","url_meta":{"origin":52573,"position":3},"title":"Report details killings, discrimination against religious minorities in post-Assad Syria","author":"Christian Pure Team","date":"julio 11, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Mourners gather in the Church of the Holy Cross in Qassaa, Damascus, for the funeral of many who lost their lives in a terrorist attack at the Mar Elias Church in the Dweila neighborhood of Syria\u2019s capital on Sunday, June 22, 2025. \/ Credit: Mohammad Al-Rifai\/ACI MENA Washington, D.C. Newsroom,\u2026","rel":"","context":"En \u00abChristian News\u00bb","block_context":{"text":"Christian News","link":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/es\/learn\/category\/christian-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Report details killings, discrimination against religious minorities in post-Assad Syria","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Report-details-killings-discrimination-against-religious-minorities-in-post-Assad-Syria.webp?fit=800%2C533&quality=75&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Report-details-killings-discrimination-against-religious-minorities-in-post-Assad-Syria.webp?fit=800%2C533&quality=75&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Report-details-killings-discrimination-against-religious-minorities-in-post-Assad-Syria.webp?fit=800%2C533&quality=75&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Report-details-killings-discrimination-against-religious-minorities-in-post-Assad-Syria.webp?fit=800%2C533&quality=75&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":55481,"url":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/es\/learn\/report-details-killings-discrimination-against-religious-minorities-in-post-assad-syria-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":52573,"position":4},"title":"Report details killings, discrimination against religious minorities in post-Assad Syria","author":"Christian Pure Team","date":"julio 16, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Mourners gather in the Church of the Holy Cross in Qassaa, Damascus, for the funeral of many who lost their lives in a terrorist attack at the Mar Elias Church in the Dweila neighborhood of Syria\u2019s capital on Sunday, June 22, 2025. \/ Credit: Mohammad Al-Rifai\/ACI MENA Washington, D.C. Newsroom,\u2026","rel":"","context":"En \u00abIslam: Satan's Religion\u00bb","block_context":{"text":"Islam: Satan's Religion","link":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/es\/learn\/category\/islam\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/CNA_LOGOredblk-70.png?fit=1200%2C335&quality=69&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/CNA_LOGOredblk-70.png?fit=1200%2C335&quality=69&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/CNA_LOGOredblk-70.png?fit=1200%2C335&quality=69&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/CNA_LOGOredblk-70.png?fit=1200%2C335&quality=69&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/CNA_LOGOredblk-70.png?fit=1200%2C335&quality=69&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":57410,"url":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/es\/learn\/violence-against-christians-escalates-in-syria\/","url_meta":{"origin":52573,"position":5},"title":"Violence against Christians escalates in Syria","author":"Christian Pure Team","date":"julio 18, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"In a scene marked by deep sorrow and righteous anger, churches across Syria held funeral services for the victims of the suicide bombing that targeted St. Elias Church in the Syrian capital, Damascus. The attack claimed the lives of 25 people and left dozens injured. \/ Credit: Mohammad Al-Rifai\/ACI MENA\u2026","rel":"","context":"En \u00abIslam: Satan's Religion\u00bb","block_context":{"text":"Islam: Satan's Religion","link":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/es\/learn\/category\/islam\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/CNA_LOGOredblk-128.png?fit=1200%2C335&quality=69&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/CNA_LOGOredblk-128.png?fit=1200%2C335&quality=69&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/CNA_LOGOredblk-128.png?fit=1200%2C335&quality=69&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/CNA_LOGOredblk-128.png?fit=1200%2C335&quality=69&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/CNA_LOGOredblk-128.png?fit=1200%2C335&quality=69&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"mfb_rest_fields":["title","jetpack_publicize_connections","jetpack_featured_media_url","jetpack-related-posts","jetpack_sharing_enabled"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52573","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=52573"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52573\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/58061"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=52573"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=52573"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=52573"},{"taxonomy":"series","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/series?post=52573"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}